Sun-Mar EXCEL AC/DC - User Manual

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Summary

RATED CAPACITY

Weekend;Vacation Use

Capacity ratings for EXCEL and EXCEL NE for weekend use.

Residential;Continuous Use

Capacity ratings for EXCEL and EXCEL NE for continuous use.

NSF TESTED & CERTIFIED

NSF Standard #41 Certification

Details NSF certification for the Sun-Mar XL (EXCEL) under Standard #41.

MECHANICAL TROUBLE SHOOTING

Drum, Fan, and Screen Issues

Addresses mechanical problems related to the drum, fan, and screen.

Evaporation and Drainage Problems

Covers issues like no apparent evaporation, poor air flow, and drain leaks or blockages.

Air Flow and Smell Issues

Addresses troubleshooting for poor air flow through the unit and unpleasant smells.

HOW YOUR COMPOSTING TOILET SYSTEM WORKS

Composting Process Overview

Explains the natural recycling process using microbes, heat, oxygen, and organic material.

System Components Explained

Details the Composting Chamber, finishing drawer, and evaporating chamber.

Start Up and Use Guidelines

Provides instructions for initial setup and daily operation of the unit.

Winter Use Recommendations

Guidelines for operating the toilet during cold weather conditions.

ROUGH IN DIMENSIONS

Unit Size and Clearances

Provides physical dimensions and required clearances for installation.

EXPLOSION DRAWING

Component Identification

Illustrates and labels the various parts of the composting toilet.

EXCEL AC;DC PART NUMBERS & DESCRIPTIONS

Component Part List

Lists part numbers and descriptions for the Excel AC/DC model.

INSTALLATION

Initial Inspection and Setup

Instructions for checking product damage, carton contents, and attaching the footrest.

Toilet Placement and Installation

Guidance on selecting the best location and ensuring proper toilet installation.

INSTALLING THE VENT

Vent Piping and Routing

Recommendations for vent pipe installation, location, and routing.

Vent Stack Details

Information on leading the vent through the roof, the diffusor, and overflow drain.

TROUBLE SHOOTING YOUR COMPOST

Identifying Bad Compost

Lists characteristics of a compost that is not functioning correctly.

Correcting Compost Issues

Provides actions to improve or fix problems with the compost.

ANNUAL START UP

Seasonal Unit Start-up Procedure

Steps for preparing the unit for seasonal use at the start of the season.

INITIAL SYSTEM START UP

First-Time Operation Setup

Guides users through the initial setup to establish compost.

ONGOING TOILET MAINTENANCE

Routine Maintenance Tasks

Recommended actions for daily and weekly maintenance.

PERIODIC CHECK UP

Periodic System Inspections

Outlines procedures for regular inspection and adjustments.

The SUN-MAR EXCEL AC/DC is a self-contained composting toilet system designed for both weekend/vacation and residential/continuous use. Its primary function is to transform human waste and toilet paper into an inoffensive, earth-like substance through a natural recycling process involving microbes, heat, oxygen, organic material, and moisture. The system is engineered to evaporate approximately 90% of the waste's water content, carrying it away as water vapor through a ventilation system, while the remaining solids are composted.

Function Description:

The core of the SUN-MAR EXCEL AC/DC's operation lies in its three-chamber design: the composting chamber, the compost finishing drawer, and the evaporating chamber, each optimized for specific functions.

Composting Chamber (Bio-drum™): This is where the initial breakdown of waste occurs. The Bio-drum™ is designed to retain natural compost heat, provide the necessary mass for effective composting, and facilitate mixing and aeration. Users rotate a handle clockwise to mix and aerate the compost, which also causes the drum door to close automatically. A drum stopper ensures the Bio-drum™ remains in a top dead center position with the door open to receive new material. Excess liquid that the compost cannot absorb drains through a screen at the rear of the drum directly into the evaporating chamber.
Compost Finishing Drawer: Located immediately below the composting drum and above the evaporating chamber, this drawer receives partially composted material. To extract compost into this drawer, the user pulls the drum lock and rotates the handle anti-clockwise. This action keeps the drum door open, allowing compost to fall into the drawer. For seasonal units, several drawers of compost are typically removed at the beginning of the season. Otherwise, composted material can be left in the drawer for several weeks to further mature before removal.
Evaporating Chamber: This is the floor of the unit, serving as an evaporating pan where excess liquids are processed. Air is drawn through intake holes at the front sides of the toilet, over the evaporating chamber, and then up the vent stack. The unit can operate with either a 2" vent stack (when using 110V power) or a 4" vent stack (when 110V power is unavailable).

The system incorporates a ventilation fan (110V or 12V) to create a partial vacuum within the toilet, preventing odors. In 110V mode, a thermostatically controlled heating element located in a sealed compartment under the evaporating chamber assists the evaporation process and indirectly aids composting. A safety drain at the rear of the composter, supplied with plugs, can be connected to drain off any excess liquid if the unit is used heavily or without 110V electricity.

Usage Features:

The SUN-MAR EXCEL AC/DC is designed for ease of use with minimal maintenance.

Initial Setup: To start, users add 3-4 gallons of peat moss mix and a quart of rich topsoil (or Sun-Mar Microbe Mix) to the drum, moisten with warm water, and spray "Compost Quick" into the drum and evaporating chamber.
Daily Use: After every bowel movement, a cupful of peat mix should be added to maintain the carbon/nitrogen balance, absorb liquid, and help oxygen penetration.
Mixing and Aeration: Every third day while in use, the drum should be rotated 4-6 complete revolutions clockwise to mix and aerate the compost.
Compost Extraction: When the Bio-drum™ is half to two-thirds full, compost is extracted into the finishing drawer by pulling the drum lock and rotating the handle anti-clockwise. This process is repeated until the finishing drawer is about two-thirds full. The extracted compost can then be left in the drawer for a few weeks to mature further before removal.
Winter Use: The unit is made of fiberglass and stainless steel, making it resistant to freezing temperatures. While composting slows in cold conditions, the toilet can be used as a "holding tank" in unheated spaces until temperatures rise and microbes reactivate. For continuous winter use, insulating vent stacks and potentially using a fan speed control and a blanket over the toilet are recommended to maintain warmth and minimize condensation.
Overflow Drain: A 1" overflow drain at the rear can be connected to an approved facility, especially for heavy use or during prolonged electrical outages, to manage excess liquid.

Maintenance Features:

Routine maintenance is crucial for optimal performance and to ensure a healthy compost.

Ongoing Maintenance:
- Peat Moss Addition: Regular addition of peat mix after each use is essential.
- Drum Rotation: Consistent rotation of the drum (twice a week for continuous use, or on departure for weekend use) ensures proper mixing and aeration.
- Raking Evaporating Chamber: Periodically rake peat moss debris from the evaporating chamber to ensure drains are not plugged and evaporation is efficient.
- Compost Extraction: Extract compost when the drum is 1/2 to 2/3 full to maintain mixing efficiency and prevent overfilling.
- Finishing Drawer Management: Leave compost in the finishing drawer for a few weeks to allow further decomposition before removal.
Troubleshooting Compost:
- Bad Compost: If compost is over 8 weeks old and exhibits issues like being too wet, too dry, lumpy, muddy, clay-like, having flies, or an unpleasant smell, specific actions are recommended. These include following the "Annual Start Up" and "Ongoing Toilet Maintenance" procedures, adding diatomaceous earth for flies, extracting and restarting the compost if it's "dead," or reducing usage if capacity is exceeded.
- Improving Compost Speed: If composting is too slow, adding rich topsoil, composted material, Sun-Mar "Microbe Mix," or "Compost Quick" enzyme can help.
Cleaning:
- Toilet Bowl: Clean the bowl liner with "Compost Quick," hot water, baking soda, or a weak vinegar solution. Do NOT use chemicals, as they can kill beneficial bacteria.
- Screen Clogged: If the screen at the rear of the drum is clogged, rotate the drum anti-clockwise until the screen is uppermost, remove the bowl liner, and clear the screen with a stick or wire brush.
Mechanical Troubleshooting: The manual provides detailed guidance for diagnosing and fixing hardware problems, including issues with the fan, drum rotation, drum lock, drum door, and screen.
- No Apparent Evaporation: Check the thermostat and heating element.
- Drain Leaking/Blocked: Inspect for damage, clear blockages with hot water, or heat trace the drain hose to prevent ice-up.
- Poor Air Flow/Unpleasant Smell: Check for airtightness, fan failure, iced-up diffusor, water traps in the vent stack, too many bends in the vent stack, or blockages. Insulate vent piping to minimize condensation.
Periodic Check-Up: Sun-Mar recommends regular checks once the system is established.
Footrest: The footrest is designed to be easily attached and detached for access to the finishing drawer. It should only be used as a footrest, not for standing on.

The SUN-MAR EXCEL AC/DC is designed to be an environmentally friendly and low-maintenance solution for waste management, relying on natural processes to convert waste into a safe, usable soil amendment.