3D printed composting toilet components?

Hey Everyone,

I am starting work on Composting Toilet V3.0. Things have changed a bit as I now have a garage to work in with a table saw, welder and 3d printer.

I was watching a video this morning and the were showing the Natures Head and it got me to thinking that I should be able to 3D  print something similar to their flapper that seals the "bowl" from the bucket.

I have been looking around for other folks design that I could use as-is or mod for my application. I am finding that 3D design is NOT one of my talents.....

Has anyone seen designs out there?

Would anyone like to take a shot at design and I will print some out for you?

Suggestions??

Thanks Everyone!

Anyone?

I can't be the only one considering this??

Steve, I’m not the one to do the 3D design but I’ve been doing a little research to build a few composting toilets for skoolies, vans, and RVs. It seems there’s a need for the parts in that world too. Then I noticed a person in Arizona that 3D prints toilet parts and sells them on eBay. I’m in AZ currently and have considered getting some. Not sure if he has the flap. What about a C-Head design with a plug I think it has?  Anyway let us know what you figure out. Maybe you can collaborate with the person in AZ? I’m leaning to more of a C-Head design at present.
https://www.ebay.com/sch/johcom-99/m.html?item=163140670579&hash=item25fbf11473%3Ag%3APwIAAOSwa%7EJbQj2B&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2562

HEY!  Did you get anywhere with this inquiry?  I would love to print me up a composting toilet flap and maybe a urine diverter?!

Same here!  Just bought a 40' motorhome and have composting toilet (shakes 5 gal bucket with a lid atm!).  Would LOVE to have a diverter - what can I do to help this project along?

Cheers ~ :)

Steve Smyth wrote:Anyone?

I can't be the only one considering this??

I can start this design if you give me specifics. I have been 3D printing for three weeks now.

Abeja Hummel wrote:HEY!  Did you get anywhere with this inquiry?  I would love to print me up a composting toilet flap and maybe a urine diverter?!

Post some specifics and I will produce 3D models and print files.

polly jayne smyth wrote:Same here!  Just bought a 40' motorhome and have composting toilet (shakes 5 gal bucket with a lid atm!).  Would LOVE to have a diverter - what can I do to help this project along?

Cheers ~ :)

I don't know the details. If y'all post specifics, I can get on this design.

After a year and a half I finally converted back to a regular RV toilet; at the very least I use very little water but I am sad to have done so.  Can't do much about it, until I have a place to "stockpile" and age the humanure (buckets).  Traveling with buckets is a backbreaking experience and too much hassle, sadly.

The things I were leaning towards are below, but there are many designs out there.  I don't think many of them have flaps because the odour wasn't bad. Most people put in fans, but I found that just closing the lid was fine (this was not separated btw, just sawdust or some material to cover). Also, when I was in Honduras, they put the soiled t-paper in rubbish bins beside the loo and those would dry out pretty quickly; no odour.  

Personally, I think this

(https://www.ebay.com/itm/324204719230?hash=item4b7c1b6c7e:g:IiAAAOSwro5lJ8uX&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA4BToaRwLTmPSdoFYFGAJXW74zsuct032uAXbpE0Ia8tJWHUXk9Bc90wUKRTlvE21Yn4HObShmXCLTo0eLAnVXuUkkykfpmPpFkha2VHaSeaW3EmlAYCNO2D98PqDABzjGHRZjZu8jfJosyiO%2FU3vtnZxI7vW0D4fjPbS5tHFJpyvdp2xH2Qau4XiFZfYESjhxrEyR7hhSfg0NqEa5GDg3UtyEHNIHRPuun8KmVUCiGH8Rdv2xEmq0CYHNH%2BNR1NpPg5oBhgbCWHE4CwaMSFdHxBKFvaK29MpQexKIDblBNDz%7Ctkp%3ABFBMltqy7eZi)  

is a nicer model than this

https://www.ebay.com/itm/163140670579?hash=item25fbf11473:g:pacAAOSwRX1jvnaE&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA4I8tw7Os1FES%2FxZC3ZkP%2FkcuMRM6vjKIebScceiVtNSTvIzEcnUWwkxSWK%2FT2HpCViFlV2GYgVLKPBGxBTyQWAf4UYjx3NGJOL4pWRAwT9H0c1hs6I7K8CZxKj2nQmlAY2M5WoK3rxco3GGVRndQfn4UHygtYlZ5cbURgy6S1n6%2FgWHfnjVQO8AxINQEqPy%2FajngDYhlEyZ8A5odJEDYDYu9iJcwd94QFrARkQYKxcdEt17Rpglb46BUmxnH70ZSzTPsLIzLAaqZ2lsMoo9d%2BRTb76ixHJEZpChPyHE8SuPh%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR5basu3mYg

and this the best yet:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/143166355400?hash=item21556137c8:g:uvIAAOSwJ-tjYtXm&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAAwBgBTj8t%2BgDo7yXsTBWD4ccVYH9gLLfaiD9EaZmacLTvRmcL%2FxJQbQFLcRRQLdaX6bgnd30iQW9WJwPOScsdrD8shDQvTwfO3Tfjr%2FE0g%2BbGcaP5VfHTqyjnqIfOs7794fu9ujfQtAvJ991Afhe0Ijzj9ltfilS47EN7%2BKaJthBBVeNCGHCpfqwpN2xFExlJrEQePh30Y7IT3uqWlxKTmOYuVys0tytfu9qnMVSsuOWx%2F4p5L6qXn8HbK8S50YXCSw%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR5basu3mYg

Another one - you get the general idea:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/335073403670?hash=item4e03ee6316:g:arYAAOSwDFtlLLff&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA4MboVYfpfAABD7yo9YfLX6K6rjEH6EgmnhiaGtBLE5hcTorTGBYejNj5CIkgygdTuN4YjmMUKEx%2BLvpBc6gRnMtWz3pKlAwvWfMbkFgXPmg4ffc49shfObUEadSwIj6IqvRK3%2F4%2FgOVaQUQdSHCf%2FPbmSB5ciImQUvtkfdF6yZpaLiYqJ3o7F3Oe5ejF8aWPPoaGe9P8vj6aRo4Mzy5%2BoX36%2F1yItqFyOUbeOQk3Zba5ac%2FXV5WqJgXG3Nw81g1qXn0iDcKYYB%2F%2BO4RhZvse4ju8Er1RjXrkVhCjw55tKsEM%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR5basu3mYg

They are getting fancy now - I didn't see this a year ago when I was looking:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/143156352507?hash=item2154c895fb:g:A~UAAOSwsrBcsvBZ&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAAwD6p9ivWyd8Vgf7xEQv%2BIXBdPXxn7A0cKFNbFUhw0Ig3pFRY68ARUex5ByJW5boUmyyLSrkdkj7YEWfEESvxvR636YwtqnxStU9pdL3vwHFVlWaQeFSq2%2Fh3OpmqFsKRgRvt9CiWJI6QE9ESt35zfkiPLToonCl0PLBY4h2aqImp%2FqmGxFRHLxRCnpEtYQ%2FkBx3uNugqZNA18oo7FpqI2LrXZJs4OFvWiPziWsDdIc7EqChkf2YKy%2B7DuzsaE6oYKw%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR6Dasu3mYg

and I've seen the whole setup being done by vets - it looked somewhat like this one:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/254632346579?hash=item3b494543d3:g:fSIAAOSwf-ZhidHh&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA4JPewJVVHIY6GTRAEvt7ooaxBlBE2jcqRaukftPEwwpH0CBQMmGkBpXCVj2ngrdh2ifkqAp2KDriet325w24QzNZEi36BkBVqjMUZkm3y0O1rbaedvHLPHlj6s2WuBMRly0EB%2Fdt2K%2F18WXrm52jA6OPL6LE54Wfd4wCchrTYeEPVuOk1q4jD%2BJfGXZtUHb%2Be0TlCzMiWboreE4PMBQR7%2BFCYLEaqsTeGkC6kNN9ZPVxdN1DJ9UObfOGFEGI102OJmShd8h7cgIPRvcdgtbHSjrg%2FpEztSS0XMFPUYi0ForZ%7Ctkp%3ABFBMmNqy7eZi

I thought that a nice idea, but it wasn't in my budget at the time.  Neither were the regular diverters as they used to be over $150 - and besides I'd read the Humanure handbook which advised against separation.  So I simply got 18 buckets and swapped them out 1-2x a week.  They then sat in a field, and I'd empty all into an enclosed pile of hay to age for a year - then wash and reuse the buckets.  I never really had an issue with smell, and I got into the habit by the end of a half-full bucket with sawdust (very absorbant) and rarely covered with anything; just closed the lid.  

I'd love to see this project come along for you - let me know if you have any questions as I have tons of experience and went through several iterations.

Thanks for doing this!

This is what I've gathered:
- The urine diverter that has two grips for the rim of the 5 gallon bucket, would be a smaller print. Small prints would be advantageous, because default printers are based on print bed sizes (cubic measurements of outputs).
- The urine diverter models direct the flow into an area of the bucket, or guide the flow out the wall of the bucket.
- The urine diverter model that is flat upon the rim of the bucket, is a large print; larger than most default printer beds. I believe these could move or shift; they don't look to be fixed in place.
- Some models attach to the bottom side of a wood bench, and do not attach to the 5 gallon bucket.
- Some models grip the 5 gallon bucket and either: sit inside below the rim level, or elevate above the rim level.  

My questions as of now:
1) Where do we want the flow to go?
2) Can we do a model with two grips for ease of print, and meeting the needs of the most basic system ie. 5 gallon plastic bucket alone?
3) I see one model has a drain diameter of 0.75 inches and another has 1.50 inches. What should we shoot for?
4) Some models have the drain location centered, and some models have the drain location moved forward which is closer to the bucket's wall. Which will we desire?
5) I think we will need to tell people which PLA filament (printing material) is best for resisting problems from the waste embedding itself into the material. Do y'all know which PLA filament this would be? Some materials need certain sized nozzles, and the print files need to specify temperatures and speeds.

Davin Hoyt wrote:
My questions as of now:
3) I see one model has a drain diameter of 0.75 inches and another has 1.50 inches. What should we shoot for?
4) Some models have the drain location centered, and some models have the drain location moved forward which is closer to the bucket's wall. Which will we desire?

My thoughts on this are that a larger drain, set as far forwards as is practical, will result in a smaller chance of overflow + urine entering the dry tank.

The downside to the drain being set so far forwards is that it may place limitations on the size of the waste pipe used for the urine. Too large and it will clash with the bucket wall. Another question could be: what size waste pipe is commonly used for the urine?

Taking a quick look at PVC pipe sizes that are readily available here in the UK, 1.5 inch pipes seem pretty common but 0.9 does not.

This is great discussion, guys!

My biggest contribution would be to try to have the tube/ flow outside the bucket so as not to take up space within it.  I know some people cut a section of the bucket out so it may sit closer - I think that limits the capacity of the bucket again.  So somehow it would be nice to have a urine jug separate... if that makes sense.  As for tube size, I've no clue.  I agree with Luke - bigger the better.  I guess I'd grab a jug of water and pour it down the sizes to be sure it will accommodate...?  And re. printing materials I'm even further out of my depth (and ever so impressed at the discussion, once again).

Just a note: the urine generally will get emptied far more often than the solids, but it's not too difficult to find a couple trees or whatnot 🙂 - and depends on the size of the enclosure and what is chosen as the vessel.

I had a second thought but it escaped out my ear when I began typing, shoot.

Oh - that was it!

Because I think about disassembling so it can be cleaned thoroughly - I think it's a. a good idea to have the diverter as close up to the seat as possible - aka not resting on the bucket (so no chance of materials 'escaping'!) and b. not permanent - ie. perhaps it could be designed with a simple edge as you were saying, that could slide into a support attached underneath on either side the seat.  Like a couple of long L brackets, where the edge rests in the bottom of the L<-- ?  That way it could easily slide out again to get washed?  Then you can design the edges however you want.  

Luke Mitchell wrote:
Another question could be: what size waste pipe is commonly used for the urine?

Taking a quick look at PVC pipe sizes that are readily available here in the UK, 1.5 inch pipes seem pretty common but 0.9 does not.

I believe we need to decide on an interior dimension.
I believe we need a flex clear tube/hose.
I believe we need a diameter that will fit inside the mouth of the bottle receiving the urine.  

polly jayne smyth wrote:not resting on the bucket

I believe we do want it grabbing the rim, resting on the bucket. It would be easy to remove.

I believe we do want it grabbing the rim, resting on the bucket. It would be easy to remove.

I'd think that would be fine - so long as it is all close to the seat above (no large gap between).  Mine had a gap and the sawdust eventually filtered all around the bucket because what I was using so so fine - it was a hassle to clean.  And there was an unfortunate incident with a friend and a curry belly - I'll leave that to the imagination.  Poor guy.  🙃

hah.  I do not have the quote thing down, do I?  😄

Another Question:
6) Will the system be held within a big wooden box with toilet lid on top, elevated about 6 inches above the bucket rim? Or is this going to be a much more complex design where weight of the human rests on the bucket? (I am new to this.)

Oh - I've done the resting the toilet seat directly on the bucket thing - not a great idea imho.  wobbly, uncomfortable, and there's always a heart-stopping point where you stand up and almost take the bucket with you 😳😱

an enclosure has a nice feel - can be made to look like a part of the 'home' - and is easier to use, such was my experience.  It can also store materials - the substrate used to cover as well as extra tp and cleaning products - if the owner wants.  And again - if it's to be 6" above I suggest sliding the diverter (non-permanently) onto the lid/ top so it catches or directs everything.  Just my 2 cents, since I'm now a bystander

One day, though, I shall use it!  

polly jayne smyth wrote:if it's to be 6" above

I think I understand.
I think the bench should have "poo-shields" leading to the bucket in case an unfortunate situation occurs.
The "poo-shields" could be wiped clean with ease.
I think toilet paper, saw dust, cleaner, and more... could be in the bench, but in a separate cabinet/compartment.

Yes - separate cabinet; definitely a good idea 👏

And yes - a shield - also good.  However it's also just one more part to maintain/ wipe where if there's a way we don't have to...  I shall try to get something visual so you can see what I'm thinking... I don't mean to harp on!  

There's also the question of height - if we build the seat too high some will need a step to get to it comfortably.  For me, at least, where space is a premium, that wouldn't be so great.  ...Although - a literal throne... 🤔😄