My 2 Dollar DIY Composting Head

[john61ct]

What do customers buy after viewing this item?

https://www.amazon.com/Passion-Lubes.../dp/B005MR3IVO

[newhaul]

Well here is an upgrade I made to the head
Used 1/2 inch pvc. First I bolted a cap into the bottom of the center of the bucket .
A short piece of pipe , about 1 inch long . ( don't glue the cap to the pipe.)
Next I glued a tee to that short pipe off the tee . Next take a length of pipe heat and flatten all but 1/2 inch which is stuck into the tee. Set it at about a 30° angle . Off the top of the tee a length of pipe that almost reaches the lid. ( about a quarter inch short. )
glue a coupling onto the top so it extends thru the lid half way. Drill it and install a small bolt.
Then on the crank side a piece of pipe about 4 inches glued into a 90° elbow cut a notch in the pipe to engage the bolt in the coupler.( don't glue this end in the coupling.)
glue a piece of pipe on the other side of the elbow ( about 6 inches long)
glue another 90° elbow on the pipe at the correct angle . Add a short pipe as a handle .

Put it all together and your done.

See pictures .

Just everyone knows I bought a new bucket and lid just cut the lid out as in the pictures.

[newhaul]

More pictures

[sparrowhawk1]

A picture is worth a million words. That's a great idea. I already have two improvements that's what this forum is for right? First instead of drilling a hole in the bucket cut a lid that will fit tightly in the bottom and mount the bottom fitting to this, this way the bucket will not be compromised, maybe glue lid to bottom of bucket. Secondly on the bottom tee that holds the paddle cut most of the bottom part of the tee off so the paddle is closer to the bottom of the bucket. And maybe even put another T Midway up. I hope this is not taken as a criticism just trying to improve a great idea.

[TreblePlink]

This discussion reminds me of my original forum name, which the moderators required me to immediately change.

HuFlungDung

[longjonsilver]

i have read this thread with interest since the beginning, as well as other composting toilet threads. Please excuse my noobie observation, since i have never actually used one, especially if i am showing my ignorance, but why would anyone want to stir the mix? If the real purpose of the "composting" toilet is to dehydrate the poop, then why not just add more sawdust, coir, what have you and be done with it? And then why not put a plastic bag in the bucket, with the top of the bag hanging outside, and then when full close up the bag and dispose. That way there is no cleaning of the bucket as there would otherwise be (especially with the stir mechanism stuck in there). Aren't we making this too hard? Take a plastic bucket, line it with a plastic bag, sit on it, poop, and add dehydrator. Fini. What am i missing here?

just wondering

jon

[newhaul]

Originally Posted by longjonsilver

i have read this thread with interest since the beginning, as well as other composting toilet threads. Please excuse my noobie observation, since i have never actually used one, especially if i am showing my ignorance, but why would anyone want to stir the mix? If the real purpose of the "composting" toilet is to dehydrate the poop, then why not just add more sawdust, coir, what have you and be done with it? And then why not put a plastic bag in the bucket, with the top of the bag hanging outside, and then when full close up the bag and dispose. That way there is no cleaning of the bucket as there would otherwise be (especially with the stir mechanism stuck in there). Aren't we making this too hard? Take a plastic bucket, line it with a plastic bag, sit on it, poop, and add dehydrator. Fini. What am i missing here?

just wondering

jon

nothing wrong with your idea except with the stiring paddle and crank you don't need a second bucket of coir you just put your coir ( about half full ) and when you make a deposit just need to churn it in. Saves space mostly.
You don't need to clean the bucket when you empty it. Just bang the sides a bit when emptying into a composting plastic bag .

[newhaul]

Originally Posted by sparrowhawk1

A picture is worth a million words. That's a great idea. I already have two improvements that's what this forum is for right? First instead of drilling a hole in the bucket cut a lid that will fit tightly in the bottom and mount the bottom fitting to this, this way the bucket will not be compromised, maybe glue lid to bottom of bucket. Secondly on the bottom tee that holds the paddle cut most of the bottom part of the tee off so the paddle is closer to the bottom of the bucket. And maybe even put another T Midway up. I hope this is not taken as a criticism just trying to improve a great idea.

sparrow mostly good ideas.
As to the one part that is not needed ( and there by an in needed expense.)
the hole in the bottom of the bucket is just big enough for the bolt that holds the end cap .
You also glue the cap in place. (The bolt is the backup to the glue) don't want any failures at that point in your head.

I did consider a second paddle higher up ( may add one later) however with the bucket I am using for this prototype is only a 2.5 gallon unit . I'm hoping a single paddle is enough . I will continue to post each improvement as they are made and tested.
So far my 2 dollar head is now my 8 dollar head.

[Scout 30]

Originally Posted by newhaul

Well here is an upgrade I made to the head
Used 1/2 inch pvc. First I bolted a cap into the bottom of the center of the bucket .
A short piece of pipe , about 1 inch long . ( don't glue the cap to the pipe.)
Next I glued a tee to that short pipe off the tee . Next take a length of pipe heat and flatten all but 1/2 inch which is stuck into the tee. Set it at about a 30° angle . Off the top of the tee a length of pipe that almost reaches the lid. ( about a quarter inch short. )
glue a coupling onto the top so it extends thru the lid half way. Drill it and install a small bolt.
Then on the crank side a piece of pipe about 4 inches glued into a 90° elbow cut a notch in the pipe to engage the bolt in the coupler.( don't glue this end in the coupling.)
glue a piece of pipe on the other side of the elbow ( about 6 inches long)
glue another 90° elbow on the pipe at the correct angle . Add a short pipe as a handle .

Put it all together and your done.

See pictures .

Just everyone knows I bought a new bucket and lid just cut the lid out as in the pictures.

This is a copy of the C-Head. If you're going to steal Sandy Grave's idea let's at least give him credit.

[sparrowhawk1]

The reason you want to stir is: it keeps the bacteria anaerobic. Anaerobic smells like a forest after a rain, no joking. It also speeds up the evaporation. Which is a good reason to have a exhaust fan too. PS. I think of you change the title to my $20 composting head you won't lose anyone.

[john61ct]

Change anaerobic above to aerobic.

Also mixing exposes the faeces surface area to the moisture absorbing media so it starts getting dried faster.

[newhaul]

Originally Posted by Scout 30

This is a copy of the C-Head. If you're going to steal Sandy Grave's idea let's at least give him credit.

I will have to take your word for the similarity to Sandy's design ( I have never seen the inside of the c head unit.)
perhaps I should email him he is likely a relative of my wife's .
The graves family is very large.

[Scout 30]

Originally Posted by newhaul

I will have to take your word for the similarity to Sandy's design ( I have never seen the inside of the c head unit.)
perhaps I should email him he is likely a relative of my wife's .
The graves family is very large.

Wow, that's quite a coincidence!

[newhaul]

Originally Posted by Scout 30

Wow, that's quite a coincidence!

I am an engineer and was a MacGyver before the show ever was on .
Just how my mind works .
And the graves family is huge and world wide. They seem to like spreading it around

[jkindredpdx]

Originally Posted by Scout 30

Wow, that's quite a coincidence!

C-Head didn't have photos of the inside of the bucket when I built my composer 5 years ago and I came up with a very similar design. I studied C-Head, Natures Head, Separett, Air Head, DIY on Youtube, and followed threads on CruisersForum. It ain't rocket science and there are very few cheap and practical options.

BTW Newhaul, thanks for the post and pics.