Hey, all new to the forum and I figured I'd start out with the throne room ;) . I've been lurking about the site for the past month or so with the intent of building a 16x28 cabin on a buddy's property. I also want to build a shower house and an outhouse.
One of the ideas I had for the outhouse is to take a 55 gal drum with one of the end caps cut off. Dig a hole about 2' deep and bury the bottom 2/3 of the drum in the ground open end down. With the capped end up, thread a pipe into one of the bung holes for a vent that will extend out the roof and cut holes for the lid to bolt down. This whole setup will be surrounded by 4 posts set in the ground, some clear correguated roofing (to let some light in), and sided with whatever material I come up with.
I see this getting used maybe 2 weekends a month at most. I hadn't planned on making a house that moves from place to place or digging a hole to China since it won't see that much use. That being said will this frequency maintain a reasonable level or should I re-think my plan?
I've read where you can sprinkle lime, sawdust, fireplace ashes, etc in the hole to maintain smell but will these just fill it up faster?
We did this. Nice to get out of rain and snow. Had my kids (teenagers) build it.
http://www.bigdamfish.net/outhouse1.pdf
w*
As for the outhouse, I suppose that would work. It just doesn't seem like much of a hole. However, given your stated frequency of use it could work out. Urine makes metal rust faster; ???
You didn't state size of the lot... watch outhouse placement with an eye to any present or future water wells.
One more thing... I don't mean this as a necessarily bad thing, just a cautionary note. How good a friend is this owner of the land where you want to spend your money building a cabin? One never knows what changes the future will bring. Maybe this has been thought through and is of no consequence. I do have a way of finding potential dark sides, so I could be off base with this concern.
G/L
I would plan on digging somewhere around 3-4 feet for the hole----and be aware that ground water leaking into the pit is something to be avoided----a sill of 4x4s and perhaps some plastic to provide a dam around the pit is always a good idea.
Ditto on the caution about building on land you don't own----if he wants/has to sell in future, your investment is threatened unless you are in a position to buy it yourself at that moment.
Have you considered composting, aka humanure?
http://www.jenkinspublishing.com/humanure.html
I think I lent my copy of this book to someone and never got it back. The method uses a 5 gallon plastic pail and sawdust as a cover material. I did this when i was living in a 16 foot camper trailer while I built my house. There is no odor and the bucket fills more slowly than you would think. I only used it for solid waste, not urine.
Tom
Yea, I understand the concerns and thanks. The situation is we keep our horse (and eventually a second) on a very good friend of mine's place. The land is actually his family's but has been in the family for a long while. We all use the land about 1-2 times a month going camping, hunting, shooting, etc. The cabin will be built mainly by friends with the financial aid of many so it's not all on me. If I drop a few grand into building this place and get a few years out of it when we board our horse for free it will be worth it.
Gotta go but I'll post more later...
That's an interesting idea. To "eliminate" (hah) corrosion issues, you could use a 55G food service drum instead.
I'm mostly annoyed by mosquitoes in the outhouse that live where I wouldn't. I've been thinking of trying to find a way to make a sealed pedestal that I can open and close as required that would not allow bugs down into the pit. I thought about making a hinged / seal-able pedestal lid that I can lift up and put some fly paper into easily. Would also allow maintenance a bit better.
-f-
I just used a foam seal with a sticky side. like you would use around a window. This was placed under the toilet lid where the lid hit the seat. It keeps all bugs out, but occasionally gets a bit of condensation on the underside of the lid.
[toilet]
If your soil will stand on it's own I'd recommend eliminating the barrel. You don't a tank with an outhouse -- just more crap to deal with, The lime is only sprinkled on like powdered sugar on donuts -- just cover your creation and you're good to go.
Keeps the flies off and rats won't munch out on it. Over the years it may turn into limestone and make interesting trinkets for future fossil collectors. :) w* to the forum.
Well the more I've thought and read up on this the more I'm thinking about building the house in the driveway and hauling it out as one piece. Making it moveable will allow me to relocate it in the future should it ever get too full. I'll just dig the hole and place a few concrete blocks under the corners to stabilize and level. It will need to be anchored to the ground somehow cause the cows are a curious and dumb creature and I'd hate to have to recover a tip'd privy. :o
I do have a few plastic food grade barrels but like ya'll said it probably isn't necessairy. If the hole ever did fill up then that would just be one more thing that I would have to dig up to move. Yuk!
I found a cool site that has plans for all sorts of stuff from privy's to picknick tables. http://www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/abeng/miscplans.htm
One site I ran across had a bug trap that may help with the flies and mosquitos. It was a large mouth glass jar (like a large pickle jar). The lid had a hole cut in it and was attached to the bottom compartment of the privy. It had a funnel with the small end pointed to the bottom of the jar and the jar had a little bit of water in it. The idea was that the flies would seak out the light in the jar, go through the funnel and not be able to get out. Maybe that would help instead of making a tight fitting lid.
Quote from: scoutman on January 17, 2009, 12:41:59 PM
One site I ran across had a bug trap that may help with the flies and mosquitos.
If you come across that site again, would you post a link to that please? It sounds interesting...
scoutman, I come from a long line of outhouse dwellers.
It was common to dig a hole, use it and when full enough dig a new hole covering the old treasures with the dirt. Some had 2 or 3 holes to spread the width of the destruction out allowing several tall piles to be built before moving the house.
A new hole was dug, then outhouse was then slid over the new hole.
My uncles cattle never did knock the out house over, but it was common for the kids to move the outhouse back about 4 feet in the dark on Halloween night. When sleepy eyed farmer Jones wandered out in the dark he may drop in for a spell. heh
Quote from: NM_Shooter on January 17, 2009, 12:45:24 PM
Quote from: scoutman on January 17, 2009, 12:41:59 PM
One site I ran across had a bug trap that may help with the flies and mosquitos.
If you come across that site again, would you post a link to that please? It sounds interesting...
Found it...
http://www.omick.net/composting_toilets/composting_toilets.htm
Well here's my progress. I'm going to go with the movable outhouse idea. Most of the materials are either scraps from other projects, freebies, or bought. The only items bought so far are thr $5 toilet seat and a $7 sheet of roofing. I'll need a couple more sheets of roofing before its finished.
Here are a few picts. More progress hopefully this weekend.
(http://www.rocketcityrockcrawlers.com/forum/uploads/10/IMG_0120-800.jpg)
(http://www.rocketcityrockcrawlers.com/forum/uploads/10/IMG_0121-800.jpg)
(http://www.rocketcityrockcrawlers.com/forum/uploads/10/IMG_0122-800.jpg)
The bucket is for reference and to get an idea of space. I'm picking up wood for siding this afternoon.
Don't forget the vent stack. ;D
Definately don't forget a vent stack. We always use a solid floor in combination with the vent stack (usually 4" pvc) to help with the fumes. The vent from the pit through the roof helps vent the fumes. The solid floor (ie plywood or OSB) also helps prevent the fumes from invading the throne space.
Well I just dug through the tractor shed and found a piece of 3" PVC that is about 7-8' long so that should work. I will probably take it out the back and through the roof overhang to keep from cutting a hole in the throne room.
Good point about covering the cracks up.
I just got my hands on a trailer full of lumber this afternoon. The bad part is that a lot of the siding is no good. I got enough siding to skin one and a half walls. On the other hand I did get a TON of 2"x 6,8,10" of various lengths so I may have enough to build a picknick table. 8)
Nice Logo there, scoutman.
Our first outhouse had no walls. You must be going for the expensive model. [crz]
Quote from: glenn kangiser on February 06, 2009, 10:18:39 PM
Nice Logo there, scoutman.
Our first outhouse had no walls. You must be going for the expensive model. [crz]
Thanks, 610 ft/lbs of 1 ton diesel power is how I roll ;D
This outhouse may not be the expensive model but it is sure going to be the heavy model. d*
My sig from DTR
1999 3500 Quad Cab Dually 24V AT-DTT Single disc conv.-Suncoast Valve Body-Mag-Hytech Super Deep Pan- Check Valve rmvd from ATF heat exchgr-- 4x4 -Edge EZ-ATS 3pc manifold- 9' Flat Bed w/7ton dump - 4000 LB Crane-BHAF -Silencer Ring MIA - 4" Straight Exhaust--Springs, 2 extra main leaf, 2 extra overload -11000 lbs empty -Autometer Pyro,fuel pressure,trans temp, boost-Cracked 53 block changed out -Cummins 1K Rebated-Timbo APPS
1926 Dodge Sedan-Stock-Fair 1919 Dodge Roadster- Stock-A bit rough.
i notice the public outhouses here in acadia nat'l park all have vent stacks quite large diameter, like a 6" stove pipe, and further are painted black which i assume generates a natural draft from sun heating, and a negative pressure in the pot chamber, thus keeping fumes out of the sitting chamber.
Dodge... Puhleeze. ::)
The original PowerStroke is the best diesel pickup every made. 8)
PS-- Whomever brought up the vent stack: Thanks! I nearly forgot to do that... d*
Quote from: Erin on February 08, 2009, 10:49:20 AM
Dodge... Puhleeze. ::)
The original PowerStroke is the best diesel pickup every made. 8)
[rofl2]
Erin the Powerstroke brought it up. They always come through. ;D
I have a long chain. I can pull you both out. rofl
Pull me out of what? ???
I've never been stuck. [slap]
:)
(Man, it's a good thing this is an outhouse thread. lol)
This drift (Ford vs Dodge diesel trucks) is a lot like asking "what's better, Coke or Pepsi?"
There is no real answer. ;D
The comment "The original PowerStroke is the best diesel pickup every made. " did remind me that it doesn't matter if it's a Dodge or a Ford or whatever if it's not turbocharged. The original powerstrokes without the turbo suck just as bad as any gas burner here in the mountains, above 7500 feet especially.
Nope, the PowerStroke has always been turbo-ed. In fact, when they first came out in '94, they were just the "Turbo Diesel". In '95 some marketing type decided that was dull and changed it to "Power Stroke"
Ford had a 7.3 for five or six years though before they put in a turbo. I'll bet that's the one you're thinking of.
That's what I'm thinking of. Have a friend with one. :-[
Except the Powerstroke is an International isn't it? The Chevy is an Isuzu I think.
The difference I see is the ease of working on the Cummins, and the ability of the Ford driver to drive fast backwards while chained up to a Dodge.
It is my understanding that the cab has to be removed to change the engine on the new Ford. :)
Turbo-ed Dodge, Ford, Chevy diesels all get the job done. We have 4wd club members with all of them and they all haul trailers laden with Jeeps, etc while hauling a slide in camper and the grades don't slow any of them down.
PS is indeed made by IH. I have no idea who makes Chevy's. (They have a diesel?? c*)
And no, there's no way I'd ever recommend a PS since they retired the 7.3... :(
We'll see what's out there once our '97 shells out (she only has 220K right now, though) but unless Ford has had a serious turn-around, our next diesel will probably be a Dodge.
They all have to hassle each other though. d*
Of course. [noidea'
Once the gauntlet was thrown, that of bragging on one's Dodge, a Ford person has to speak up. And vice versa. Them's the rules... ;)
Chevy made a crude attempt at making their own engine, but like the old GM Detroits it was filled with problems. Some liked the Detroit - 2 strokes - I liked the sound - kind of, but never had much luck with them. Had one on my well developer.
Erin, all seriousness aside, I would always stop my Dodge to help a lady in distress broke down alongside the rode in her
Ford. :)
With that said I doubt that you have ever stopped that much though. I think IH made deisel tractors way before Ford truck engines. Not real sure if Dodge did? ??? ;D . In fact I never recall seeing a Dodge tractor.
rofl
Hard to argue with that.
Oh-- Come on you two... Face reality... :)
Cummins was one of the early diesel engines and Dodge was wise enough to choose a proven time tested engine to install in their truck, the very same engine family that pushes Diesel boats, ships, Peterbilt, Kenworth, Autocar, etc. for years and years and years... [waiting]
I have gone to help many friends with Fords. :)
http://www.dieselpowermag.com/tech/dodge/0604dp_cummins_diesel_motor_history/index.html
Quote from: glenn kangiser on February 08, 2009, 02:46:17 PM
Oh-- Come on you two... Face reality... :)
Cummins was one of the early diesel engines and Dodge was wise enough to choose a proven time tested engine to install in their truck, the very same engine family that pushes Diesel boats, ships, Peterbilt, Kenworth, Autocar, etc. for years and years and years... [waiting]
I have gone to help many friends with Fords. :)
http://www.dieselpowermag.com/tech/dodge/0604dp_cummins_diesel_motor_history/index.html
If it's so "Time Tested" why have they changed it so many times?! ;)
No matter who makes it if it was made after 1973 it's a POS if you ask me. ;D
Yeah, Yeah, Yeah. Henry "Dodge" ? Does anyone know what the first Rudolf Deisel's engine was installed in for production?
Quote from: cordwood on February 08, 2009, 03:32:50 PM
Quote from: glenn kangiser on February 08, 2009, 02:46:17 PM
Oh-- Come on you two... Face reality... :)
Cummins was one of the early diesel engines and Dodge was wise enough to choose a proven time tested engine to install in their truck, the very same engine family that pushes Diesel boats, ships, Peterbilt, Kenworth, Autocar, etc. for years and years and years... [waiting]
I have gone to help many friends with Fords. :)
http://www.dieselpowermag.com/tech/dodge/0604dp_cummins_diesel_motor_history/index.html
If it's so "Time Tested" why have they changed it so many times?! ;)
No matter who makes it if it was made after 1973 it's a POS if you ask me. ;D
Improvements. :)
I will add that no matter what the make, most of the trucks are made for momma to go to the store, buy groceries and carry her purse in. All seem to be designed to fail right after the warranty is up, but it is not so much the engine as it is supporting things like the torque converter and transmission if an automatic. Nearly all aftermarket parts are better than factory parts.
Quote from: Redoverfarm on February 08, 2009, 04:00:56 PM
Yeah, Yeah, Yeah. Henry "Dodge" ? Does anyone know what the first Rudolf Deisel's engine was installed in for production?
No, but I'm hoping you'll tell us. :D
Quote from: Redoverfarm on February 08, 2009, 04:00:56 PM
Yeah, Yeah, Yeah. Henry "Dodge" ? Does anyone know what the first Rudolf Deisel's engine was installed in for production?
???
Riverboats?
Quote from: Redoverfarm on February 08, 2009, 04:00:56 PM
Yeah, Yeah, Yeah. Henry "Dodge" ? Does anyone know what the first Rudolf Deisel's engine was installed in for production?
I don't know that one but sounds interesting.
Another interesting thing is that nearly all things in use today aside from refinements were invented at the start around 1900.
And diesels were originally designed to run on veggie oil!
Another German inventor, Rudolf Diesel, had as significant an impact on Deutz's development as Otto. Diesel had invented another type of motor and offered his patent to Deutz in 1892. Eugen Langen was concerned that the technology would not work and refused to manufacture the engines. Diesel found an interested partner in Heinrich Buz, Director of Maschinenfabrik Augsburg, where many changes were made from the initial concept. When the first functioning diesel engine was built in Augsburg in 1897 Deutz entered a licensing agreement with German manufacturer MAN AG to build the engine. Only two motors of the first series were finished and one of them, shipped to the United States, was the first diesel engine to be put into operation there. Deutz started experimenting with the second one and within a year developed its own model without the cross head that Diesel's design used.
MAN was the first, and in 1924, a MAN truck became the first vehicle to use a direct-injection diesel engine. At the same time Benz & Cie in Germany also presented a diesel truck, but Benz used the mixing chamber that Daimler-Benz kept into the 1990s. The first diesel Mercedes-Benz hit the road in 1936
Karl Benz was a member of the new Daimler Benz board of management for the remainder of his life. A new logo was created, consisting of a three pointed star (representing Daimler's motto: "engines for land, air, and water") surrounded by traditional laurels from the Benz logo, and the brand of all of its automobiles was labeled Mercedes Benz. Model names would follow the brand name in the same convention as today.
The next year, 1927, the number of units sold tripled to 7,918 and the diesel line was launched for truck production. In 1928 the Mercedes Benz SS was presented.
And who would have thought that the original design by Diesel was run on "peanut oil" And yes by chance I do have a Duetz tractor. Just coincidence.
With all this I can say that I have sucessfully HI-JACKED this thread and for this I apoligize.
Quote from: glenn kangiser on February 08, 2009, 04:43:01 PM
Another interesting thing is that nearly all things in use today aside from refinements were invented at the start around 1900.
Rather a broad statement... depends how refinement is defined.
What about the calculators we use today?
The 3rd century abacus was the first calculator, or computer even. Then there were mechanical slide rules, rotary and stick types. Next were were mechanical calculators like the old
Burroughs Business Machines invented sometime in the late 1800's. I remember using those up into the sixties and seventies.
But I'd hardly say that the electronic calculator was simply a refinement of the Burroughs machine, let alone the abacus or slip stick.
??? ???
Yeah - a bit more broad than I intended --- I meant things like turbochargers - blowers - fuel injection- water pumps - 12 volt system- My computer is distracting me today. Three things upgraded in the last 2 days and now it is skipping from one web page to another - switching tabs - randomly by itself whenever it feels like it.
There were things we don't even see today - the Willy's Knight sleeve engine.
Getting back to the topic - any body seen a diesel powered outhouse? [waiting]
I think all of them are a little diesel powered although none are turbo charged ( except after chilli night) but most are equipted with blowers. ;D ;D
Whew.... there's a gas powered one.... [waiting]
While building the trans-alaska pipeline, 74-77, we had propane powered outhouses mounted on skids which were moved along the workpad as we progressed. Essentially, they had frying pans under the hole mounted above a large propane burner----If you can imagine taking a dump into a hot frying pan. They were extremely unpopular and so the route of the pipeline was marked by a line of toilet paper about 10 yards out on both sides. Did see one that caught fire and burned down as it was being towed down the line by a sideboom-----to enthusiastic cheering!
Back to the topic; I've seen vault toilets in the parks that use what appear to be at least 10" diameter vent stacks.
The Sun-Mar composting toilet works with a 4 inch stack w/o any fans or turbos.
Wow, I don't check back in a few days and you guys have really had fun with the truck discussion. :) I don't mind the hijack. In fact I'll contribute. c*
Here's my ride.
(http://www.rocketcityrockcrawlers.com/memberstuff/cash/dodge/IMG_9685-800.jpg)
My sig from TDR...
06 Ram 3500 SLT QC LB SRW 3.73 LS Graphite 5.9L, 6spd, 4x4, 7 speaker infinity(sux) with 6 disc and Sirius, Line-X, Prodigy, UWS Black Toolbox, Cobra 75WX, Isspro's boost & pyro, B&W turnover GN hitch, baby seat, Nitto Terra Grappler 305x70x17"
I must say that the 5.9L Cummins has to be one of the best ENGINE's ever made. There is a reason that it was used for such a long time in Dodge trucks because it is about damn near bulletproof. I also find it funny that the Cummins is able to pour out as much if not more power as a 6 cyl than the Powersmoke ever has in an 8 cyl config. When I was shopping for my 06 I was torn between the Dodge and Ford but what sold me on Mopar was the engine.
We pull a 30' gooseneck trailer with 2 heavily modified Jeeps with my Dodge and it handles it fine and I love the 6 speed manual.
As for the outhouse, I'm going to use the 3" pipe cause it's what I have on hand. It should work well enough and I will plan to paint the top of it black to keep the draft. I didn't get any more progress made other than cutting siding and trying to figure out how I'm going to do the roof.
I like the way you brought that back to the topic. [waiting]
Great truck there. ;)
If you have lots of that 3" pipe you could do dual "exhausts" ;D
Dual chrome 6" stacks coming out of the privy would be killer! [cool]
Go for it :)
Keep in mind that straight pipes will really resonate.....sweeeeet ::)
Clean trucks. ;)
I like diesels, and I like outhouses. So I guess that OK to restart this thread.
You might want to check out some of the designs for mouldering (compost) outhouses used by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. I've helped build a couple of these things, and they're bone-simple. Basically you'd just put your outhouse on a platform about 3' tall, screen in everything under the platform, and "preload" things with a couple wheelbarrows of hummus. Do your bidness, and cover with sawdust, leaf mold, etc each time. You'll have to knock out the mound every now and again, but for no more use than you're talking, you'd go for year before having to empty it.
Far simplier than anything is the beforementioned Humanure system that Jenkins has. 2 buckets, a tiolet seat, and some sawdust. It makes too much sense, thus is rarely used.
Me thinks this got lost in all the discussion about dual exhausts... c*
and all I've got that's diesel is my little TDi (62 mpg).
Well as goes most of my projects, they get started and then I get sidetracked till I get to come back to it later. I'm getting ready for a week long Jeep trip to Moab, UT and we leave in 1 week. Needless to say the outhouse has gone to the back burner. The diesel on the other hand is about to have the spotlight turned to it cause we'll be hauling quite a load over some serious miles and terrain. I hope to finish the house when I get back cause the camping weather is going to be getting really good.
Bringing up a thread from the dead... c*
This project had been sitting in my driveway for months and I pawned it off to a 4x4 club member. I had most of the stuff cut and ready to finish but ever since spring hit I haven't had time to do it. The plan after he finishes it is to haul it up to our property (4x4 club ownes 40 acres on the mountain) and finish assembly of roof there.
Anyhew, thought you guys would like to see one of the semi-finished picts...
(http://www.rocketcityrockcrawlers.com/forum/uploads/6/outhouse20090624.JPG)
Looks good. It looks almost large enough to be a "two holer". The farm I grew up on had a two holer outhouse. The rich farmers had 3 holers. You sometimes find the seats in antique stores.
Well this one's going to get used by a few who aren't used to using such rough facilities so the last thing I wanted to do was scare someone off by making a tiny crapper.