Monday, 20 May 2013

Air Head Fitting Day

Today we change our toilet type, from Thetford cassette to Air head compost. Despite doing our research and speaking to some very helpful boaters who have them fitted, I still feel nervous and a little distressed at the thought of throwing away a perfectly functional Thetford.
Too late to worry now, as Paul has turned up with his drill and a down to business look on his face. First we disconnect the water supply and then the power, ( no more flushing loo now Ali ) and with the removal of the old we are now fully committed compost toileteers.



Out with the old cassette loo, what a waste.


The dogs at this point were convinced that a long over due Yorkie flap was being installed.


Getting a little more tricky as we a hole in the lining for a new air vent.


And worse still, cutting a hole in the roof just doesn't feel right.


And here is the new throne, the vent pipe is not the most endearing of fittings, but doesn't show too much.

First impressions of the new loo are, simple and well built, slightly industrial look to it all, and I have to say, over priced at £ 800.00 plus delivery ( and poor packing see previous blog ) so somebody is being greedy along the line, may come down in price as volume goes up or more competition comes along. 

Well Ali due back on Wednesday, so with a bit of luck we will start moving again, still not sure where, but isn't that great! nowhere in particular to go, and loads of time to go there.

Bye for now,
Baz and soon Ali.

3 comments:

  1. Hi Baz,
    Thinking of you today - and what was happening on your boat! We passed Heritage (on Cleddau) just before midday but the space we were aiming for was commandeered by someone going in for fuel! We are now at Church Lawton (heading north on the T&M). We have had NO problems with our Airhead, the fan is still running over three years on (we carry a spare) and we also have two urine containers. Very happy to talk to you about our experience, coffee filter papers, crushed cocoa shell, etc, etc...
    Sue /Boatwif /nb Cleddau

    sue@deveson.net
    ken@deveson.net

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  2. Hi Sue and Ken, Sounds like a good idea to carry a spare fan, will look into that, Where do you get the afore mentioned cocoa shell and filter papers from ? the canal shop just said go on-line , that's not as straight forward as it sounds, for we move about as you know, and have no cars.
    Ali back tomorrow, so the big test soon to come! How is the orange water? Baz.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Baz,
      We buy cocoa shell as 20 or 30 litre bags from any garden centre and manage to store it in the engine room. We have bought coffee filter papers via eBay in packs of 500 or 1000 a time. You could try a Lakeland store for those. We do still have a home address so that makes buying stuff online easier. The other tip is something Ken spotted deep in the instructions, what we call "sanitary sugar". After emptying the urine container we swill it out and then add about 6 spoonfuls of sugar(yes!) and it counteracts what I call any boys' loos smell...We keep a sugar canister in the bathroom - and never use it for any visiting tea /coffee drinkers! Good luck with it all. Met someone today who had had a tank job ripped out of their boat and had moved to a portapotti. The Airhead is far superior to that.
      Down here (just below lock 58 and the M6 now), it's been dank, then drizzly, then wet, then cold and windy - and many boaters lost a lot of time today because of a drained pound and low water levels, caused either by carelessness or vandalism - rumours abound!
      Best wishes,
      Sue

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