sunmar composting toilets

at home

As well as ensuring an aerobic breakdown in the Bio-drum, Sun-Mar ensures an odor free environment by engineering the air flow within the unit to maintain a partial vacuum at all times. Air is being drawn in either by a fan (or on non-electric units by the vent chimney) over the evaporating chamber and up the vent stack. Not only does this evaporate excess liquid, but also by continuously pulling air in we ensure no odors escapes from the unit.

Sun-Mar toilet use aerobic microbes to break down waste and convert it back into nutrients. Aerobic microbes work very quickly to breakdown waste and produce the by-products of water and carbon dioxide. In contrast, anaerobic microbes work very slowly and produce by-products of hydrogen sulfide, methane and other gases commonly referred to as sewer gases. Sun-Mar’s patented Bio-drum tosses and turns the pile to provide the most effective aeration possible ensuring fast, clean, odor free composting.

Evaporation is assisted on electric units by a thermostatically controlled heater in a sealed compartment underneath the evaporating chamber.

on the planet

Composting toilets are a great option to relieve the environmental impact of typical sewer systems on the planet. Compared to sewage systems, on-site composting and grey water treatment, these toilets help:

• Avoid large effluent releases into watercourses and oceans
• Prevent disruption of soils systems
• Eliminate raw sewage from flowing into groundwater (through pipe deterioration and breakage)

Composting toilets convert human organic matter back to its essential minerals. Aerobic microbes do this in the presence of moisture and air, by oxidizing the carbon in the organic material to carbon dioxide gas and converting the hydrogen atoms to water vapor. During this process 95% of the starting material volume is evaporated. The residual can be composted easily

where can i use it?

Sun-Mar composting toilets are used in cabins in the woods, on boats, horse barn, pool house, summer homes and garden sheds.

how do i install it?

Parts included with your Sun-Mar Toilet.
• An Owner's Manual
• Warranty Card
• Peat Mix (30L bag, and dried bacteria for starting off the unit)
• Rake for periodic clearing of the evaporating chamber
• "Compost Quick" enzyme for speeding up composting
• Complete vent kit including all pipe, fittings and vent intake assembly
o Vent 4" by 8 ft.
o 10 feet of 1" diameter drain hose

Vent Stacks
The main task is the installation of the vent stack, which is included with all units. The vent kits included in the shipping carton are sufficient for installation in most single story buildings. If more is needed they are normally easy to find. All vent pipes are thin wall PVC.

Click here for more vent stack installation information.

For good air movement the vent should be installed vertically and to 2-3 feet above the peak of the roof.

Electrical
The optional 12 Volt Fan should be installed if you need to install the toilet with any bends in the vent. (No more than 2, 45 degree bends are encouraged, even with the fan.)

Optional 12 Volt Fans for non-electric models can be installed in-line with the stack, and connected to a battery which draws from an alternate source of energy, such as a solar panel. It is recommended that all units be installed on a GFI (Ground Fault Interrupt) circuit to protect your unit from power surges.

If the Excel NE is used residentially or heavily, or is in a place which is subject to downdraft, the optional 12 Volt Fan should be installed in the vent stack. This fan draws 1.4 watts and can be powered by a solar panel and 12 volt marine battery.

Drains
Toilet units are all fitted with 1" drains, which should be connected to an approved drain pit, container, or other facility.

Winter Use
SUN-MAR units serve as a reliable year-round facility when prepared for continuous or periodic use during the cold winter months. If you use your cabin once a month in the winter, the unit may be used as a holding tank during this time. If your SUN-MAR will be in use every weekend in the winter, or in a residence, the temperature must be kept above 55o F at all times to maintain composting.

Rough-In Dimensions
Click here for rough-in dimensions of all self-contained composting toilets.

Sunmar Compost Sure 30L 8 gallons

Microbe Mix

Compost Quick

12V Fan

Solar Panel

compost sure

Compost Sure comes in an 8 gallon (30 Litre) bag. It consists of coarse peat moss and chopped hemp stalk. Compost Sure has an added advantage over homemade bulking material - hemp. Hemp will decompose where wood shavings and peat moss do not - giving your compost a longer residency time! More importantly, it saves you the time of making your own mix.

To use: 1 cup per person per day (average), or 1 cup for every bowel movement.

microbe mix

This 16 oz. (454g) jar of bacteria allows you to increase the bacterial population and hence the composting activity. Ideal for adding at spring startup in the place of topsoil, which may not contain the proper bacteria needed for proper composting action.

To Use: One scoop (included) every 2-3 weeks.

compost quick

Compost Quick comes in a 16 oz. spray bottle. This enzyme liquid accelerates the composting action, leaving you with a perfect finished compost every time. It can also be used as a cleaner for either your bowl liner (for self-contained models) or your toilet (for Low Flush systems).

To Use: 3-4 squirts of the nozzle before rotating drum.

12 volt fan

The 12 Volt Fan is meant to accelerate airflow in all non-electric units. It comes pre-installed in an 11" piece of 4" diameter vent pipe so that it will fit inline in your vent stack. It also protects against downdraft and increases the evaporative performance of your non-electric unit by about 10 to 15% (still not enough to evaporate all liquids on an NE).
Its purchase is optional with an Excel NE, a Centrex 2000 NE, or a Centrex 1000 NE. It is needed when you have to put any bends in the vent stack (Sun-Mar recommends no more than two 45 elbows, even with a 12 Volt Fan installed). Also if your cottage is subject to downdraft.

It is recomended when the unit is being used residentially or if you expect heavy seasonal use.

Do not use fan if you cannot run the fan continuously; it will act as a blockage in the vent stack. If you need to get around this, you can install it in a "bypass vent" off of the main stack. Also, if you live in a coastal area that is rich in salt air - you may want to consider purchasing a more expensive, but more durable fan from Nicro; these fans are used in marine applications and may be purchased from marine supply stores. These fans will stand up to most weather conditions, but do not do well in salt air.

solar panel

If you plan to power up the fan with a solar power you will also require a 12 Volt battery (Sun-Mar suggests a deep cycle marine battery for best results). Connect the wires on the fan (red wire positive, blue negative) to the appropriate terminals on the battery, and the appropriate wires on the solar panel to the battery. The battery will store the charge from the solar panel, ensuring continuous operation of the fan even at night or cloudy days.