Updated Diagram – Urine Separator, Sink Drain, Sump Pump, and Gray Tank System

Updated Diagram – Urine Separator, Sink Drain, Sump Pump, and Gray Tank System

This diagram shows the updated plumbing layout for the bathroom: the composting toilet’s urine separator and the bathroom sink both drain into the sump pump box.
The sump pump then sends all liquids to the interior gray tank, with a check valve placed before the gray tank to prevent any backflow.
The toilet sits elevated above the sump pump by at least one foot, ensuring reliable gravity flow.


System Diagram (Top‑Down Flow)


                 ┌───────────────────────────────┐
                 │     COMPOSTING TOILET         │
                 │   (Urine Separator Outlet)    │
                 └──────────────┬────────────────┘
                                │
                                │  Gravity-fed Urine Line
                                ▼
                 ┌───────────────────────────────┐
                 │       BATHROOM SINK           │
                 │  (Drain Tied Into Urine Line) │
                 └──────────────┬────────────────┘
                                │
                                ▼
                 ┌───────────────────────────────┐
                 │   COMBINED DRAIN LINE (1")    │
                 │  Sink + Urine to Sump Pump    │
                 └──────────────┬────────────────┘
                                │
                                ▼
                 ┌───────────────────────────────┐
                 │     SUMP PUMP BOX (12V)       │
                 │  - Collects shower water      │
                 │  - Collects urine + sink      │
                 │  - Auto pump activation       │
                 └──────────────┬────────────────┘
                                │ Pressurized Output
                                ▼
                 ┌───────────────────────────────┐
                 │         CHECK VALVE           │
                 │  (Prevents backflow from tank)│
                 └──────────────┬────────────────┘
                                │
                                ▼
                 ┌───────────────────────────────┐
                 │       INTERIOR GRAY TANK      │
                 │  - Receives all pumped liquid │
                 └───────────────────────────────┘


Side‑View Height Relationship


   [Composting Toilet]
            │
            │  (Urine Line)
            ▼
   [Sink Drain Tie-In]
            │
            ▼
   (Combined Drain Line)
            │
            ▼
   [Raised Shower Platform]───────────────┐
            │                              │
            ▼                              │
      [Sump Pump Box]  <───────────────────┘
            │   (Pumps upward)
            ▼
      [Check Valve]
            │
            ▼
      [Interior Gray Tank]

This layout ensures the toilet and sink both drain by gravity into the sump pump, while the sump pump handles all elevation changes needed to reach the gray tank.


Why the Sink Tie‑In Helps

Tying the bathroom sink into the urine line provides several benefits:

  • Flushes the urine line with clean water every time the sink is used.
  • Prevents salt buildup or odor in the urine hose.
  • Adds enough liquid volume to reliably trigger the sump pump float switch.
  • Reduces plumbing complexity by combining two low‑flow drains into one line.

Why the Check Valve Belongs Before the Gray Tank

Placing the check valve on the pressurized discharge line (not the urine line) ensures:

  • No gray water can flow backward into the sump pump box.
  • No contamination risk for the toilet or sink drain lines.
  • The sump pump remains protected from tank pressure or sloshing.

This updated diagram reflects the final intended flow path for the bathroom plumbing system and will be used as part of the full interior‑only plumbing documentation.

Shower Drain Components Under Consideration for the Bathroom Build

Shower Drain Components Under Consideration for the Bathroom Build

As I plan the raised shower platform for the bathroom, I am exploring different components that will allow the shower to drain directly into the interior gray tanks.
Keeping all tanks inside the trailer is a priority for freeze protection, maintenance access, and overall system reliability.
Two products that may play a role in this design are a low-profile shower drain and a compact 12V shower sump pump box.


Scandvik Low Profile Drain Stopper – 1″ Outlet


Scandvik Low Profile Drain Stopper – 1″ Outlet

This drain is designed for marine environments where space is limited and drainage must be routed through tight areas.
Its low-profile design makes it a strong candidate for a raised shower floor where vertical clearance is limited.

  • Outlet Size: 1 inch
  • Design: Low-profile for tight installations
  • Intended Use: Marine showers and wet areas
  • Potential Benefit: Allows the shower pan to sit lower while still routing water into a sump box

This drain could be mounted directly into the raised shower platform, feeding into a sump pump box located beneath or adjacent to the shower structure.


Zuomeng 12V Automatic Shower Sump Pump Box – 750 GPH


Zuomeng 12V Automatic Shower Sump Pump Box – 750 GPH

This sump pump box is designed for boats and RVs to collect shower water and automatically pump it to a gray tank.
For a cargo trailer conversion with interior tanks, this type of system allows the shower to drain efficiently even when the gray tanks sit higher than the shower pan.

  • Brand: Zuomeng
  • Flow Rate: 750 GPH
  • Power: 12V DC (corded electric)
  • Material: ABS housing
  • Maximum Lifting Height: 10 feet
  • Item Weight: 4.64 lbs (2.11 kg)
  • Package Dimensions: 12.05″ × 10.55″ × 5.67″
  • Model Number: HY-056
  • Included Adapters: 3/4″, 1″, and 1-1/8″ hose fittings

The sump box collects water from the shower drain and automatically pumps it into the gray tanks, making it ideal for raised shower platforms or installations where gravity drainage is not possible.


How These Components Fit Into the Shower Design

The raised shower platform will allow the drain to sit above the sump box, which then pumps water into the interior gray tanks.
This approach eliminates the need for any tanks mounted under the trailer and keeps all plumbing inside the insulated envelope.

  • Low-profile drain: Minimizes height while providing a clean outlet into the sump box.
  • Sump pump box: Automatically moves water to the gray tanks regardless of tank height.
  • Interior-only plumbing: Improves freeze protection and simplifies maintenance.

These components are being documented here as part of the ongoing evaluation process for the bathroom plumbing system.
Final selections will be made once the shower platform height, tank placement, and plumbing layout are fully defined.

Tanks

Fresh & Grey Water Tanks for CTC Build

I plan to use these tanks as the core of my fresh and grey water system for the CTC build.
They were chosen for their durability, simple rectangular geometry, and reliable sizing that fits the layout of my front tank cabinet.
These specs will be used throughout my planning process for weight distribution, plumbing routing, and cabinet design.
The dimensions and capacities listed here reflect the exact tanks I will install in the trailer.


50 Gallon Fresh Water Tank — T5000BPK

Brand: classAcustoms
Model: T5000BPK
Capacity: 50 gallons
Material: Polyethylene
Product Link:

View on Amazon

Dimensions
  • Length: 14.25"
  • Width: 22.25"
  • Height: 38.25"

30 Gallon Grey Water Tank — T3000‑BPK (×2)

Brand: classAcustoms
Model: T3000‑BPK
Capacity: 30 gallons each
Material: Polyethylene
Product Link:

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Dimensions (Each)
  • Length: 12"
  • Width: 17.5"
  • Height: 34.5"