Sun-Mar EXCEL AC/DC - ANNUAL START UP; Seasonal Unit Start-up Procedure; INITIAL SYSTEM START UP; First-Time Operation Setup

-12-
ANNUAL START UP
Many units are only used during the summer. For such seasonal units Sun-Mar recommends
that the following start up procedure be followed at the beginning of the season.
Action Why?
EMPTY Empty compost, if any, that had been left in
the finishing drawer, and use the rake to
clean out the evaporating chamber.
- Your fertilizer is
ready.
- This is a good
time to remove
any peat debris
EXTRACT
COMPOST
Remove additional drawers of compost (if
there is still more than 6-8" in the drum),
by releasing the drum lock, and rotating the
drum clockwise (the handle turns anti-
clockwise) to extract compost into the
drawer. Empty the drawer, and repeat
extraction cycles if necessary until the level
in the drum is reduced to about 6".
- Frees space in the
composting
chamber for
the new
seasons
composting
.
Options:
IF COMPOST IS TOO DRY OR
COLD
Add 1-2 quarts of very warm water to the compost.
ADD A NEW SOURCE OF
MICROBES
Add Sun-Mar “Microbe Mix™”, a few handfuls of
composted matter from garden compost or rich top
soil into the composting drum.
ADD “COMPOST QUICK”
ENZYME
Acts as a catalyst to speed composting action.
2
Toilet paper is a good source of carbon and should be added after use.
-9-
INITIAL SYSTEM START UP
Commence operation by carrying out the start up procedure described below, and then
continue with the "Ongoing Toilet Maintenance" routine.
It normally takes some weeks before a compost is properly established. You will know this
has happened when:
- Compost volume increases more slowly
- Compost turns black and becomes loam-like
- Toilet paper decomposes within a few days
2
Action Why
ADD 3-4 gallons of peat mix (half the 30
Litre bag provided) to the drum
- Provides carbon base and initial
mass for compost
ADD One quart of rich topsoil from
different places
- Adds necessary microbes which will
breakdown the compost
SPRINKLE About ½ gallon of warm water into
the drum.
- Moistens carbon base
PLUG IN Unit, if there is 110V power, so the
fan and heater are operating.
- The unit is ready for use
RAKE
Loose peat moss from the
evaporating chamber until the
compost is established
- Until the compost is active, some
peat moss may fall through the
screen or drum door into the
evaporating chamber.
Options (If available)
ADD “Microbe Mix” or a few handfuls
of composted matter from garden
compost
- Provides additional source of
microbes
SPRAY "Compost Quick" enzymes into
drum before and after mixing.
- Speeds start up of compost
SPRAY "Compost Quick" over complete
surface of evaporating chamber .
- Prevents possibility of start-up
odor in evaporating chamber
ONGOING TOILET MAINTENANCE