Living in the Projects

The simplest solutions to problems give no clue to the complexity for their determination.

Head of the list, the head.

Counting the number of needed improvements to the venerable Sunmar Mobile composting commode is a worthy endeavor. Even though the unit has been around for decades, is appreciated and of thoughtful design, it has its shortcomings.

Finding solutions is easy but making those solutions small, energy efficient, simple, user friendly, and automatic while occupying the same foot print, is a most contemplative task. The task and machinations, I will spare you. Suffice it to say there is now a solution that should allow the '1' user unit to work for at least two full time users on the boat. 

A few pieces have been added most of which go unseen in this picture.
All the individual parts work singly and as a complete system.

The effort now is to connect all the parts and wires in a workman like manner and field test the head. One of the unique modifications was to elevate the voltage to the liquid evaporator section from 12 volts DC to 24 volts DC while completely removing the 110 volt AC heater. This cuts out the loss from inverters and larger 12 VDC cables. The base voltage for the whole boat is now 24 VDC with only the microwave, AC units & TV as 110 VAC (inverted) from a 24 VDC full sine inverter.

Top Power

From the roof top, to power all of the systems aboard, are the new photovoltaic (PV) modules. The PVs are made by an American company noted for their quality, performance and longevity of product. The new modules are lightweight, thin and slightly flexible. Some folks say they can be walked on but I would no more walk on a PV than I would intentionally walk on somebody's clear plastic deck hatch.

Testing and mock up of the roof frame system is underway with the main idea of the entire roof array being divided into three or four panels of modules, allowing them to be removed in about one half hour. That means the 40 modules of 100 watts can be stowed for long term while in the slip or stowed in case a major storm is approaching. The whole bundle will fit in the two shallow roof containment areas that are now atop the boat roof. For longer storage the whole folded array can be placed inside the boat. Stacked, all four array panels would total about 8 inches deep, occupy a twin bed and weigh about 160 pounds. 

The key is the framing, articulation, folding, wiring, assembly, layout and access of the 40 modules to be linked. An origami project indeed that involves strong, lightweight hinges, quick connects and rapid, strong frame attachment points.

Not easily seen (for good reason) are the tape mock up hinge elements that allow the folding of the
100 watt Go Power PVs. The Buell Motorcycle banner is a key part of the design method, for
when I am stymied by a problem, I take a nice long ride to clear the cobwebs,
returning fresh, animated and renewed to design.
Slow boat, fast bike.

There is much to do this winter that was not helped by being physically sidelined this summer. No major ailment or problem, just enough 'stuff happens' to put a crunch on the schedule. I can now see some light at the end of the tunnel, it is not a freight train and probably stays lit from storing solar energy. 

Keep the faith.

HEAD for RETIREMENT

Just The Three Of Us

Raritan, Todd, Reliance, Thetford. All are meant for the same purpose but all are different in the way that they achieve that purpose from under $50 to over $2,000.

There comes a time when key elements of a plan mature, all will coalesce toward a new departure. The wife and I are finally retired with a good range of SS and other provisions to assure our Great Loop quest. Of course getting out of the slip for an extended period of time has required ridding our 41 year marriage vault of a lot of tangible overburden. Cars, condo, farm, lots, small boats, motorcycles and heirlooms are passed on, auctioned, stored or sold.

Our children, now self sufficient adults, have been able to take an active part in the approval process of letting things go. When we return from crossing our wake of the Great Loop, the only decision desired is to either keep looping or settle into a home with a slip.

Here are the ties to be broken or close as legally possible;

1. No mortgages on land.

2. No mortgages on water.

3. Small but steady income.

4. No or low taxes.

5. No monthly payments.

Several times the date to leave has been set and life has stopped the departure to the point that 2018 was only a hundred miles including getting back to the slip. Each time there has been a moment of learning which has been factored into the coalescence.

Using Your Head

Literally using the head is a problem. In trying to use the composting commode meant for 1.5 people, it proved totally  inadequate for 2 adults full time aboard. With the condo still an opportunity for sale, time has been available to delve into the improvement of the small composting head instead of moving ships's bulkheads for a larger unit. That meant cleaning out the old  unit, taking it apart, studying the finer points and coming up with viable, economical and legal solutions.

The original 10 year old system works. It is
just being reworked for two people full time.

A mild winter here in Wilmington, NC allowed me to experiment with the unit in the work shed. The disassembly showed a design flaw that allowed the dual heater elements of 12 volts DC and of 110 volts AC to corrode the sensors controlling heat under the liquid collection/evaporation tray. Without the input of significant heat under the tray, an increasing build up of liquid effluent could cause an over accumulation. Designed to avert such a mishap, a twenty gallon tank for overflow and pump out was placed below the head when the boat was constructed and plumbed in. The unit now has a better and more robust heater/evaporater system. We have retained the overflow tank but have added excellent evaporation capability that should keep the overflow tank unfilled. Therefore, no stops for pump out.

The dark area of the corroded sensors located just above
the curve of the yellow wires needed to be replaced
with a different type to function with a new system.

The two heater sets with the three 12 volt DC strips
directly over laid on the 110 volt AC heater.

Several areas were corroded and the
evaporation tray needed sealing.

Heading Out

A new set of custom sealed heater strips was required with a new and different sensor system having a computer circuit board to monitor and control the liquid presence, accumulation, quantity,  heating and energy control. The voltage utilized was changed to  DC at 24 volts nominal. The use of 110 volt AC was discontinued 
for safety and greater efficiency by not needing an inverter.

An idea of how a simple computer controller could be set up.

More time was required in gathering the parts than in the actual mechanics, albeit there is still a bit to do to integrate the system into a clean appearance. By the time we and the ALGEMAC II leave the slip for the next leg of the loop, there should definitely be a heads up, so to speak.

All puns intended.