Sink water diverted to toilet

[Ryan]

Hello everyone, I have been pondering this for a while. In the PC Design Manual there is a diagram of a bathroom sink which diverts its greywater to a toilet tank for reuse in flushing. When you are done on the toilet, one would flush then wash their hands and fill up the empty toilet tank. But what if you don't need to use the toilet but say need to brush your teeth. The toilet tank would be full, so where does the water from the sink go? I am trying to concieve of a diverter or shutoff valve, but I can't get my head around it. Has anyone seen this system before who knows how it works? Any insight will be helpful. Thanks.

[BlackPacker]

Just put in an overflow. Depending on what kind of toilet you use, this could be easy or hard. Porcelain is notoriously hard to drill, But most toilets have an built in overflow that drains to the basin, which will then gravity flush. You could also drill a hole in the tank, about two inches from the top, and hook up an overflow drain to send the water into your greywater system. I'll be using a marine toilet hooked up the central flush composting unit in our cabin, but havn't set it up yet, so I have no idea what to do if that is what you have. Wait till I have water and I'll think about it more. ;)

(PS, a dremel (or any other high RPM rotary tool) with 600 grit diamond drills and cutters that you can get cheap from harbor freight works well on porcalin, but you must be slow and steady to prevent chipping.)

[richard in manoa]

The Real Goods catalog sells a unit like the one you are describing. This link has a few little "more information" windows that explain the plumbing a little more.
http://www.gaiam.com/retail/product/02-0334