Has anyone here ever had success running either of these in a solar-powered off-grid structure?

I’ve seen and read several sources/product reviews that advise against using each of these (especially incinerating toilets) with a solar setup, but I’ve heard anecdotes from a couple of people who used a dedicated solar panel for a mini-split and had no problem.

I think an incinerating toilet is the best option for my location, but I’m not sure if I can swing it off-grid.

(Cross posted in !off_grid)

  • @[email protected]
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    41 year ago

    Wouldn’t a composting toilet be a better option in almost any circumstance? Incineration only adds to the carbon problem.

    • Zelda Goats OP
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      21 year ago

      My (limited) understanding is that they release only a small amount of CO2, using only solar electricity–no propane in my situation. What’s left is a tiny bit of sterile ash that can be emptied outside or sprinkled in the trash. And composting toilets sounded promising until I really started researching them. Ultimately, dumping out solids all the time was too much of a gross-out factor for me, and dedicating a space for dumping them out was a big issue. I was really set on the Envirolet or SunMar central composting systems for a while, but even they were a much bigger hassle to clean and maintain, and the outdoor tank takes up too much space to be practical for my setting.

      • @[email protected]
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        31 year ago

        Interesting. From a quick internet search, no one even mentions CO2 for any type of waste management.

        If you’re looking at a permanent fixture with an external tank anyway, why not a traditional septic system? Properly installed and colonized, they’re just a longer term composting solution that’s easier to maintain.

        • Zelda Goats OP
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          11 year ago

          Septic’s unfortunately not an option in that location. It would definitely be much more convenient in the long run.

  • @pdavisM
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    21 year ago

    My mini-split uses around 400 watts when it is on and it is several years old and not a particularly energy efficient model, so running a newer more efficient model is no problem.

    As far as an incinerating toilet, I can’t comment on that specifically, but I could recommend a maceration sewage pump which would allow you to move the waste practically anywhere you wanted for storage, disposal, or even incineration. I have been using one of these for a couple of years with no problems.

    Just out of curiosity, why is a septic system not an option? There may be other similar systems that would work.

    • Zelda Goats OP
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      11 year ago

      The ground is so rocky that digging to that extent is prohibitively expensive, unfortunately.

  • @DoomBot5
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    21 year ago

    In the Ambition Strikes YouTube channel, they’ve installed several mini splits and an incinerating toilet. Their entire property runs off solar + batteries.

    2 caviouts though:

    • they’re not professionals, often times they don’t really know what they’re doing
    • their solar setup is massive, so can probably absorb the issues with high surge devices by the sheer scale of it.
  • Frater Mus
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    21 year ago

    Folks with money and DIY skills have made mini-splits work in campervans, so it should be possible. There’s a lot more mounting area for panels on the ground than on a van roof. :-)