I bought a portapotti today. It was on sale at BCF and they also threw in the bag for free. Now they gave me the spiel that I had to buy the "special" toilet paper that dissolves quick so it doesn't clog up the output drain pipe?
$9.00 for 4 rolls they wanted. Is that a lot of fooey. about dissolving quick? What's the go about using normal toilet paper?
I reckon there's plenty of you out there may have had a round or two with this issue
I have to ask too please, about the cheap chemical for the bottom tank that you all use.
The portapotti stuff had the regular chemical that they said needs a dump, and for even more cost they had a 'green one' that they said you could then pour on the ground??? Grrrr, salespeople!
Gotto come back here for some real advice. Thanks all, I appreciate your thoughts, as always. The best thing is, it gets me that one step closer to being out there'
Cheers John
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"My mind is made up. Please don't confuse me with facts."
Any of the softer tissues will do. No need to purchase their overpriced commodities. That applies to the chemicals as well. You can purchase Coles or Woolies nappy soaker (Napisan substitutes) or you can purchase similar chemical as Bio-Tabs for heaps more. Just use a cap full every couple of days and you will be OK. Don't use the expensive green stuff that only does the same thing as the nappy soaker.
-- Edited by PeterD on Monday 15th of December 2014 11:49:41 PM
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PeterD Nissan Navara D23 diesel auto, Spaceland pop-top Retired radio and electronics technician. NSW Central Coast.
We use a 2 ply toilet paper, and it dissolves pretty quickly, we only use the "home brand" nappy and clothes soaker - works well - no need for expensive products that "smell" nice. A couple of drops of eucalyptus oil in the tank is nice.
But - we have a policy - four sheets of paper per person, - one up, one down, and two to polish!!!
Have been using Coles nappy soaker (around 35% of the active ingredient) and whatever toilet paper was on special at the time, for the last decade or more. Also add a few drops of eucalyptus. Empty every 3 or 4 days.
I use that old army bumb wipe method.
Put a hole in the middle of the paper to put your finger through.
Do the wipe trick and then use the paper to wipe your finger as you poll it out of the hole in the paper.
A zig zag (cigarette paper) size piece of paper will do the trick.
Works best if you keep your fingernails short.
ps (Edit) ... Spray the bowl with olive oil spray to keep it slippery as well as lubricating the seals.
-- Edited by Cupie on Tuesday 16th of December 2014 01:44:49 PM
Sounds like you have the same Porta-potti as we do so I'll tell you how we use it.
You've taken the new porta potty out of the box and you are going away on a trip tomorrow, so this is our sequence of events:
In bottom tank we add 2 litres of water plus 2 tablespoons of Coles/Woolies brand nappy soaker. Close the slide.
Put the top tank back on empty (no water).
First day of trip and to make No2's simpler, you place 4 or 5 sheets of toilet paper around the bowl with the slide closed.
Do the job, open slot (whilst sitting) and in theory it all slides in thru the slot. Sometimes it will not and then you use a 1 litre squirt bottle full of water to flush it thru the hole plus use the same bottle to wash anything stuck to the sides of the bowl. Have a can of Glen20 or similar to kill smells if it worries you. Close slot when it looks clean.
At end of day add 1 tablespoon of nappy wash powder to bowl and repeat every day. Maybe add a few drops of eucalyptus oil to make it smell better but really the smaell is not bad.
Empty whenever you can as it weighs less when part full. If careful you will not spill contents when emptying....experiment at home using water only till you get the hang. Carry a short length of garden hose with a connector as some dump points do not provide a hose. Usually if you empty it after a few days and it's been in the van getting sloshed about you will find the contents are very liquid and no offensive smell pervades. You can use more nappy wash if you like but the amounts stated will suffice.
We do not fill the top tank with flush water as the flush system on the porta potty is really a joke and you get better action with the squirt bottle (maybe add a few drops of eucalyptus to bottle).
We use ours in a pop-up ensuite outside - if you are using the same you need to make sure it is sat on solid level ground just to make you feel more at ease.
Cheers, John
