SOG toilet conversion x worth it? (1 Viewer)

[Helen Ariel]

Hi,

We’re considering getting the toilet in our new MH converted to a SOG system. The dealer can do it for £250 and we’re keen to remove the need to use chemicals in the cassette. Well also be travelling around Europe for the best part of 12 months so am I right in thinking it’s easier to dispose of black water with no chemicals in it?

Thanks in advance fellow Funsters!

 

[GPW]

Blue formaldehyde preservative chemicals are staining, highly toxic and should be banned IMO, but using the Bio stuff does a different job to the SOG - just in case people confuse the two as being alternatives..

Bio washing product is ALWAYS worth using IMO as it starts breaking down anything immediately, the SOG merely stops stuff smelling as it's simply a fan that draws air out.

A fan installed near the toilet bowl would probably be almost as good but may get draughty in winter - an advantage of one that draws through the cassette is that it's mostly closed when the lid goes down but involves more work when emptying. Both seem to involve drilling some hole in the van however... anyone done this?

 

[2657]

Can buy an awful lot of green bio friendly toilet chemicals for that sort of money, personally don't see the point.

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[Ivory55]

If your £250 keen to not use chemicals go for it. If not just keep using the blue stuff.

 

[Two on Tour]

I fitted Thetford's own version to our Thetford C260 and in our view it's money well spent.
A lot less pong in our bathroom now.

 

[Shrimp]

It is worth it, you don’t get that horrible chemical smell when you go!
We have a SOG and in hot weather use a splash of Bio clothes wash liquid.
We also use a small bin lined with scented Nappy bag for the loo paper-emptied every day. That way the cassette can last us 3 maybe 4 days which can be a bonus!
It’s surprising how much room paper takes up in a cassette & no the bin doesn’t smell bad!

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[Minxy]

You can fit the kit yourself and save about £100. Or you can make your own kit for a fraction of the cost if you are DIY competent.

I'm in the process of making one using a computer fan, switch, wiring, plastic hose etc but it'll be a while before I get the chance to finish it as it's not a high priority. My reason for having it isn't so much to avoid having chemicals but so than when hubby using the loo for no 2 the 'smell' will be drawn outside the camper!

 

[Sheddy]

If possible and you are having it installed professionally, then consider one with a roof outlet, it doesn't need filters which will add to the running costs over time.
Link Removed
Cheers
Ed

 

[Pausim]

My new motorhome came with a roof vented SOG as standard. I have to say I am thoroughly impressed. I turn it and the water pump off at night so as not to disturb my wife and the difference is noticeable. As other Funsters have suggested I put a splash of Bio in to keep things fresh but I doubt that it is really necessary.

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[Tea break]

Save your money and use bio wash tablets they work a treat and only cost pennies.

 

[mitzimad]

We've found the sog works well for us we adf a splash of bio as well males emptying less pongy

 

[Ridgeway]

We've used a SOG for the last 6yrs and enjoy:

1) the lack of chemicals, we don't use any at all
2) less smell in the bathroom, especially in warm climates

You do really need to change the carbon filter once a year, roughly £10 or less and takes 5mins.

It's an easy DIY install and the kit is well made.

One negative point is that you do need to put a cap on the vent pipe once you remove the cassette for emptying, this cap can get quite dirty if you run your cassette towards it's limits or when you do the "shake and slosh" during the emptying process, easy enough to clean though.

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[Coolcats]

Have a look at the Vantastic video blog the Finish couple installed a SOG themselves you may find it of interest and save some cash too

 

[Coolcats]

A fan installed near the toilet bowl would probably be almost as good but may get draughty in winter - an advantage of one that draws through the cassette is that it's mostly closed when the lid goes down but involves more work when emptying. Both seem to involve drilling some hole in the van however... anyone done this?

 

[Speve]

.. anyone done this?

Yes it’s very easy if you are a competent DIY’er ???

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[GPW]

You can see the poor girl still hasn't got the blue out of her hair.

 

[Loveshack]

I think this is the best discussion of this subject that I’ve seen on here.

 

[Lenny HB]

Go for it we have always had SOG's in our vans.
Only thing I would say is don't have the door vented one they do not work as well as the floor or roof vented ones. The roof vent type does not need a filter, the floor vented ones the filter is expensive at £25. On mine I drilled a 20mm hole in the side and refill it with active charcoal pellets, stopper the hole with a cut down wine bottle cork costs £3 to refill.

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[TerryL]

Oh goodie - been ages since a good toilet thread!

 

[StitchesnFluff]

Go for it we have always had SOG's in our vans.
Only thing I would say is don't have the door vented one they do not work as well as the floor or roof vented ones. The roof vent type does not need a filter, the floor vented ones the filter is expensive at £25. On mine I drilled a 20mm hole in the side and refill it with active charcoal pellets, stopper the hole with a cut down wine bottle cork costs £3 to refill.

Hi Lenny
Do you do this with the thetford charcoal cassette filter?

 

[Kannon Fodda]

The Thetford system also has a filter that needs changing from time to time. On my Autotrail the fan and filter seems to be mounted in the cassette cabinet floor, and somehow the fan sucks though a connector in the bottom of the cassette. I dunno about the SOG system, but the Thetford only comes on as you start the flush pump (so you effectively do that before you go) and can then run for around 5 minutes. It sounds like something is going to take off! Of course running the flush pump isn't good if you need to conserve water and avoid filling that cassette.

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[Kevan]

We have had Sogs in our previous vans, but the new V-line came with the thetford version already installed as standard, well impressed.

 

[Lenny HB]

Hi Lenny
Do you do this with the thetford charcoal cassette filter?

I don't see why you couldn't, could just use a bit of gaffa tape to cover the hole you would need to make to refill.

I notice that Thetford say to change the filter every 4 weeks where as with a SOG it's annually. Not surprising as the SOG filter holds at least 4 times the amount of charcoal. I change my SOG one 2 to 3 times a year.

 

[Lenny HB]

We have had Sogs in our previous vans, but the new V-line came with the thetford version already installed as standard, well impressed.

Wait until you see the price of the filters and they need changing every 4 weeks.

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[Pausim]

I am liking my no filter roof vented SOG even more now I have seen the posts about charcoal filter costs.

 

[Lenny HB]

I am liking my no filter roof vented SOG even more now I have seen the posts about charcoal filter costs.

Just don't open a rooflight or you will get your own back, as many Carthago owners have discovered. ?

 

[Servo]

This is what can happen if you can not get rid of the gas,???

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[Kannon Fodda]

Not sure you have to replace thetford every 4 weeks. I think their manuals may have become confused. A link on the cartridge detail suggests it will "lasts an average season (+/- 4 weeks continuous use)"

 

[Neil Bedwin]

I fitted a SOG kit a couple of weeks ago. Took about an hour and you only need general DIY skills.

The toilet now smells much better and the kit cost about £180 for our Thetford.

 

[Lenny HB]

Not sure you have to replace thetford every 4 weeks. I think their manuals may have become confused. A link on the cartridge detail suggests it will "lasts an average season (+/- 4 weeks continuous use)"

Even so I refill my SOG one 2 to 3 times a year and that probably has 4 times the amount of charcoal than in the Thetford so 4 weeks use sounds about right if you don't want to stink out your neighbours.