Comparison Piteco 506 vs Thetford Porta Potti Qube 165 Luxe

— Mobile. Dry closets designed to be able to quickly move from place to place. In addition to relatively compact dimensions, they often have a collapsible design, with a division into an upper and lower tank. However, most mobile dry closets are easily transported even when assembled. Of the options for using such models, one can name short-term trips to the country or to nature, as well as installation in the rooms of older people or people suffering from serious illnesses and having difficulty going to a regular bathroom.

— Stationary. Dry closets designed for permanent installation in the bathroom. They are larger than mobile ones and are not designed for frequent movement from place to place. Such a toilet can be a good alternative to the classic country "toilet with a hole in the floor"; in addition, such models, in combination with booths, are often used as temporary latrines at construction sites, public events, etc.

— Liquid (chemical). These types of toilets use special chemicals that process waste, break down solids and eliminate odours. Such toilets can be used both on the street and in the house (although it is still impossible to completely eliminate the smell, so it is advisable to install such a device away from the kitchen); they are completely autonomous, do not require electricity, ventilation or drainage systems. Among the shortcomings, it can be noted that the collected waste cannot be simply poured directly into the soil — due to the presence of chemicals, they can harm the environment. In addition, for such a toilet, you will have to periodically buy additional reagents, which is associated with certain expenses.

— Peat. Models in which peat is used as an absorbent. Such a toilet, in fact, is a waste container, above which a “seat” and a peat tank with a dispenser are installed. After the user "does the job", he turns the handle of the dispenser (or presses the "flush" button), and the waste is sprinkled on top with a layer of absorber. Due to the activity of beneficial bacteria, peat, together with the contents of the toilet, is processed into compost, which can be used as fertilizer for plants. At the same time, such toilets are more difficult to install than chemical toilets: they require drainage to remove excess liquid from the tank, and if installed in a house, they also require ventilatio...n to eliminate unpleasant odours.

— Electric. Toilets with this principle of operation are divided into two varieties. The first is the so-called. composting toilets: essentially a type of peat device (see related paragraph), supplemented with an electric heater to maintain the optimal temperature required for waste recycling. Their features are similar to peat. The second type is incinerators: in them, most of the liquid is drained through drainage, and solid waste is burned into ash, which can be easily disposed of or used as fertilizer.

The volume of the upper tank provided in the toilet.

The upper tank is used for flushing: water is poured into it, and in peat models (see "Operating principle"), peat is poured. The larger such a tank, the longer it will last and the less often you have to refill the toilet. At the same time, too much volume would have a corresponding effect on the dimensions and weight of the toilet. Therefore, most models use tanks with a capacity of about 10 – 15 liters: this is considered the best compromise between capacity and compactness. Less capacious upper tanks are also produced, but more capacious ones are almost never found.

The volume of the lower tank provided in the toilet.

The lower tank is intended for direct collection of waste. The larger it is, the less often you will have to clean the toilet from the accumulated contents. On the other hand, a large volume has a corresponding effect on the dimensions and weight of the entire structure. Therefore, manufacturers select the capacity of the lower tank in accordance with the type (see the relevant paragraph) and the intended features of the use of the dry closet. So, in mobile models, this figure rarely exceeds 20 liters, and in stationary models, tanks of 70, 120 and even 200 liters can be installed.

Flushing systems are equipped with chemical and electrical models (see "Operating principle"). The mechanisms responsible for this function differ in structure and principle of operation:

— Piston. Water supply by pressing the piston. The simplest and most inexpensive type of mechanism, which, nevertheless, allows you to dose the supplied water. In addition, the advantages of this option include the possibility of self-replacement and repair. The disadvantage of piston mechanisms is the need to apply quite significant effort when pressed.

— Pump. Water supply with a mechanical pump. The outer part of such a mechanism looks like a characteristic corrugated “column”, when pressed, water is supplied. Pump mechanisms provide a metered supply of water; they are more complicated and more expensive than piston ones (see the relevant paragraph), but they do not require much effort from the user.

— Electric. Water supply with an electric pump. The most expensive, but also the most user-friendly option: no need to pump water manually, just press the power button. Among the disadvantages of such mechanisms, in addition to the cost, one can mention the need to either connect to the network or periodically replace the batteries, depending on the type of power supply.

— Fill indicator. A pointer showing the degree of filling of the toilet with waste. The specific design and operation of such a pointer may vary: in some models it shows the actual fill level, in others it only fires when the amount of content approaches the maximum allowable. However, anyway, this function makes it easier to monitor the state of the toilet and reduces the risk of critical overflow.

— Flush water indicator. A pointer showing the amount of remaining water to flush. Allows you to easily monitor the rest of the water and reduces the likelihood of a situation where the flush system is empty “at the most crucial moment”.

— Pressure relief valve. A valve that allows you to safely relieve pressure from the lower tank. This feature is found mainly in chemical toilets. Its necessity is due to the fact that the lower tank is usually tightly closed during unused time, and the reaction between waste products and chemicals occurs with the release of gases. This is not critical during use; however, if the lower cleaning tank is removed and opened without relieving pressure, accumulated gases may violently escape from the drain opening along with the contents splashing. To avoid this, a special valve is provided that releases only excess gases and does not allow the contents to get out.

— Separate waste collection.... Separation of waste entering the toilet into liquid and solid. To do this, the bowl is specially divided into two parts, so that the urine is immediately diverted to the drain, and only solid waste enters the tank. Thanks to this design, the filling of the tank slows down, and it has to be emptied less often. In addition, due to the fact that urine and feces do not mix, there are significantly fewer unpleasant odours when using the toilet.

— Toilet paper holder. Toilet paper roll holder. Often made in the form of a compartment in the body of the device, which opens at the time when paper is needed. This feature is found mainly among mobile toilets (see "Type") — it is assumed that stationary ones are installed in such places where there is already a place for paper.

— Fan. The presence in the design of its own fan with a pipe for connection to the exhaust pipe. Such a fan "blows" the smells that occur when using the toilet outside the bathroom, providing a comfortable atmosphere inside.

— Wheels for transportation. The presence of wheels for transportation in the design of the toilet. Typically, this is just one pair of wheels, and to use it, the structure must be slightly tilted and rolled in this position, like a handcart. Such equipment greatly simplifies the transportation of the structure, especially when the tank is full. Note that this feature is provided only in stationary toilets (see "Type") — mobile models are light enough to do without wheels.

The maximum user weight that the toilet is designed to carry.

Note that dry closets are made with a certain margin, and if you exceed the permissible load, it is quite possible that the device will not break immediately. However, this still cannot be allowed, not to mention constant use: excess weight leads to increased wear, and breakage can occur at any time, even under allowable load.

The height of the toilet seat relative to ground level. With a low seat height ( less than 40 cm), an additional stand may be required for comfortable use; on the other hand, such models are as compact as possible.