Seasonal Use and Springtime Start Up
Empty Compost from Last Season
Before your first use of the unit, extract compost from the drum by releasing the drum locker (located on the handle side of the unit),
then rotate the handle counter-clockwise giving the drum one complete revolution only. Compost from the drum will drop into the
finishing drawer. Empty the drawer and repeat this procedure until most of the compost is removed, leave 4-6 inches of compost.
This will be your “starter base” for the coming season.
Rake
Remove the finishing drawer and use the rake tool to rake any loose material from the floor of the toilet. Pay careful attention to the
back two corners of the toilet (near the safety drain), to ensure that your drains do not get clogged. Do not dig or chip into the buildup,
as this can damage the toilet.
Add Water & Microbe Mix
Add some warm water to the remaining compost, enough to ensure that it is quite moist. Also, add some Sun-Mar Microbe Mix (two
scoops) to give the compost pile a “kick-start” and rotate the drum several times to mix. If your composting toilet is electric, plug it in
and use for another season.
Guidelines for Winter Use
No Winter Use
When preparing for the winter shut down, just add enough water to soak the compost within the Bio-drum™. Contact Sun-Mar
regarding specific amounts as installation and expected usage varies. If the toilet is electric, make sure to unplug it before leaving.
If the toilet will not be used for the duration of winter, it is possible to place something over the diffusor to prevent animals (who are
looking for a home at this time of year) from getting down the vent stack and into the toilet. Please remember to remove this block
before spring start up. Do not add anti-freeze or similar substances to the toilet.
Occasional Winter Use
If the toilet will be used for 3-4 weekends throughout the winter season, it is considered occasional use. All of the same considerations
should be taken with these toilets to winterize them (please see the information described above, and the section below titled, “Heavy
or Residential Winter Use”). When the temperature dips below 55 ° F (13 ° C), composting activity will decrease dramatically. These
toilets do not need to be kept warm and will act as a holding tank during the winter months until spring, when it will warm and begin
composting again.
During the winter, the compost will freeze into a solid mass. The drum should not be turned as this may damage the composting
toilet. With this in mind, it is a good idea to remove enough compost before it gets too cold to make room in the drum in the event of
occasional winter use.
Heavy or Residential Winter Use
The toilet should be kept in a heated area and the following winterization tips should be followed if the toilet will receive frequent use:
1) Vent Pipe – electric models: all 2” vent pipe should be insulated where exposed to the outside or in an unheated area. If you are in
an area that experiences extreme winter conditions, we recommend that heat tape should be applied to the exposed vent pipe to
prevent ice blockages.
2) Safety Drain – all models: we recommend that the safety drain should be installed and insulated above the frost line. There will be
less evaporation in the winter so this will help with any excess liquid. If possible, heat tape can be applied to the safety drain to prevent
ice blockage.
3) Keep it warm: If the composting toilet is used frequently in the winter then the toilet should be kept in a warm place, with
temperatures above 55 ° F (13 ° C).
Warning:
The water valve must be drained and removed if the ultra-low flush toilet is installed in an area where
freezing temperatures are anticipated to prevent freezing and cracking of valve.
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