Introduction to the basic maintenance and responsible use

Ensure your Sun-Mar system operates perfectly year in and year out, with some basic care and common sense. Please bear in mind that any composting toilet can be neglected and abused. It is in these circumstances that accessing and inspecting the composting chamber is crucial. It is good to know that fixing problems that may arise from miss management or otherwise can be sort effectively and without expensive service-men, as you can do it all on site by following the systems manuals or contacting us for support. 

The unique design of the Sun-Mar - developed in Canada - employs traditional proven composting.
Simple to operate and maintain, the Sun-Mar is a balanced system that can deal with a range of requirements and with extended compost removal periods the system is a breeze.

SUN-MAR COMPOSTING SYSTEMS

An outline of how to look after a Sun-Mar is given below. This is to give you an idea of what is involved and to assist you in deciding on the ideal waterless composting toilet solution for your needs. Our team are happy to discuss your specific requirements and associated maintenance needs in more detail, so please contact us if required.

If you have just purchased a Sun-Mar system, please see here how to start your system for the basics of how to start your system
For details on the best bulking agent (carbon materials) to use with your Sun-Mar system please see this guide bulking agents and dosing guide

There are only two things that you must do on a regular basis when it comes to maintaining your Sun-Mar composting toilet system.

1. You will need to add bulking material (approximately a cupful per person per day) and rotate the drum. The drum rotation is a periodic task which ensures that, when it comes time to empty the compost, you won’t have to deal with any fresh waste.
2. You will need to rotate the drum backwards when it is approximately half full. This will empty the compost into the finishing drawer. It is best to leave the compost in the finishing drawer for approximately 7 weeks so that the compost can continue to process.

USE + MAINTENANCE HOW SIMPLE IS THAT!

Detailed SYSTEMS maintenance see below

Maintaining a Sun-Mar Composting Toilet

Any cleaning? Not as much as you’d think

The waterless and micro-flush toilet pedestal is designed to be cleaned less often than a standard 4-6L flushing toilet. The micro-flush pedestal has a self-cleaning ball valve that generally takes care of the job for you. Cleaning of the toilet seat itself is done with a natural cleaning product called Nature Flush. The product's enzymatic action also helps compost break down and eliminates odours. A bottle of Nature Flush is provided with the toilet in the starter pack.
This cleaner can also be used in the evaporation chamber at the bottom of a system, where every 3 months (if the system is used full-time), the small rake provided should be used to remove any debris in the evaporation tray at the bottom of the unit.

Adding bulking agent/mulch & rotating the Bio-drum

These are the only activities you must perform on a regular basis when it comes to maintaining your Sun-Mar composting toilet system. You will need to add bulking material (approximately a cupful per person per day) and rotate the drum. Sample bags of the bulking material (sugarcane mulch mix) are provided with the toilet and can be sourced from landscape/garden supply stores. Peat-moss or COCO Peat can be added to the bulking agent to increase the moisture level if the compost is drying out too quickly.

Removal of Compost

The drum rotation is a periodic task which ensures that, when it comes time to empty the compost, you will have produced nice compost. The handle of the Bio-drum on the Centrex, Excel and Compact should be rotated clockwise every second day when the toilet is in use. You will need to rotate the drum backwards when it is approximately half full. This will empty a portion of the compost into the finishing drawer. It is best to leave the compost in the finishing drawer for approximately 7 weeks so that the compost can continue to process. Note: handle rotation for the Centrex 3000 run clockwise only.

The installation and maintenance manual provided with the toilet outlines these activities and we also provide customer support Monday to Friday on 0800 022 027, should you have any questions unanswered in this material.

INDIVIDUAL SYSTEMS MAINTENANCE (Sun-Mar Models)

Key to Bulking agent's (carbon materials)

WCT SUN MIX GREEN; is the replacement for Compost Sure Green Waterfree Sun-Mar systems

WCT SUN MIX BLUE; is the replacement for Compost Sure Blue Micro-flush Sun-Mar systems

WCT MICRO MIX; is the replacement for Microbe Mix in all the Sun-Mar manuals

Nature Flush; is the replacement for Compost Quick in all the Sun-Mar Manuals

Basic Maintenance & User Instructions for Excel & Compact Units (Self-contained, on-floor)

These instructions are not to replace the owner’s manual but are intended as simple instructions for daily use. Download your full version of the manual here [link]

Short Notes for use of the self-contained, on-floor models

• If you simply urinate in the toilet, deposit your toilet paper, close the lid, and walk away…your job is done! If the toilet is being used predominantly for urination, be sure to add at least one cup of WCT SUN MIX and WCT MICRO MIX per user a day
• If you make a more substantial contribution, deposit your toilet paper and one handful of WCT SUN MIX into the drum of the toilet. Close the lid and walk away
• Every other day, turn the handle to mix and aerate the compost. Pull the handle from under the seat and turn in a clockwise direction only. Open the lid of the toilet seat. Watch as the drum turns. The opening in the drum should come to the top of the drum 6 times. Once you have completed turning the drum. Fold the handle back under the seat, close the toilet seat lid and you are done

Weekly maintenance (every second day):

• Turn drum to reveal waste inlet hole through the access port and add WCT SUN MIX at the rate of 1 cupful per person per day. Rotate handle clockwise to mix contents of Bio-drum and give 6 complete revolutions of the drum (36-40 rotations of the handle). Ensure that the drum door opening is in the vertical position at the end after hearing the 'click' of the catch. Spray Ecogreen Toilet and Urinal cleaner into the drum before and after mixing
• CHECK THE VOLUME OF THE BIO-DRUM™ To speed up composting, add one scoop of WCT MICRO MIX every second week, and ensure that the drum is not more than ½ full

Bi-Monthly maintenance and emptying cycle:

• Remove the finishing drawer and rake out evaporation chamber with rake provided (the area below the finishing drawer). Clean the drum screen
• Spray the drum screen with Ecogreen Toilet and Urinal cleaner and let sit for 15 minutes (this will help soften the debris before cleaning). Scrub the screen vigorously with a hard brush to clear the drain holes on the drum for future reliability

There are two types of Split Systems...

Wet systems: Toilet pedestal with a 500mL "Micro-Flush" (M/F) moves solid waste within the narrow waste pipe that runs almost horizontally. Available on Sun-Mar Centrex models only
Dry systems: Uses a waterless toilet pedestal "Air-Flow" (A/F) with a wide (250mm) waste chute of a variable length that sits in-line between the compost chamber directly below the bathroom floor

Basic Maintenance & User Instructions for CENTREX 2000 Units (Split Systems, Under-floor)

These instructions are not to replace the owner’s manual but are intended as simple instructions for daily use. Download your full version of the manual here
Toilet Fixtures Maintenance and Use.

Ultra-Low Flush Toilet System Model (Wet System)

Cleaning

The toilet is porcelain and should be cleaned with hot water or bio-degradable products only to avoid damage to the compost. Ecogreen Toilet and Urinal cleaner or a Baking Soda solution.

Using the low flush toilet

Deposit your toilet paper, step on the foot pedal to flush, close the lid and walk away…your job is done. If you plan on making a more substantial deposit and would like more water in the bowl, simply lift the foot pedal up and the bowl will fill. When you have the desired amount of water, let the pedal drop back in place and do what you have to do.

AIR FLOW A/F Waterless Toilet System Model (Dry System)

Cleaning

The toilet can be cleaned with the same products as the low flush whilst using less water. It is ideal to close the lid after use to maintain the correct airflow through the system.

Using the Air Flow waterless toilet

With this system, you can do your business as per normal there is no flush needed. After use, the WCT SUN MIX can be added directly down the toilet chute but the mixing of the system should not be forgotten as per mentioned in the weekly maintenance schedule below.

Composting System Maintenance

Weekly maintenance (every second day):

• Turn drum to reveal waste inlet hole through the access port and add WCT SUN MIX at the rate of 1 cupful per person per day. Rotate handle clockwise to mix contents of Bio-drum and give 6 complete revolutions of the drum (36-40 rotations of the handle). Ensure that the drum door opening is in the vertical position at the end after hearing the 'click' of the catch. Spray Ecogreen Toilet and Urinal cleaner into the drum before and after mixing
• CHECK THE VOLUME OF THE BIO-DRUM™ To speed up composting, add one scoop of WCT MICRO MIX every second week, and ensure that the drum is not more than ½ full

Bi-Monthly maintenance and emptying cycle:

• Rake out evaporation chamber with rake provided (the area below the finishing drawer). Clean the drum screen. Remove the finishing drawer
• Spray the drum screen with Ecogreen Toilet and Urinal cleaner and let sit for 15 minutes (this will help soften the debris before cleaning). Scrub the screen vigorously with a hard brush to clear the drain holes on the drum for future reliability

Basic Maintenance & User Instructions for The CENTREX 3000 Units (Split Systems, Under-floor)

These instructions are not to replace the owner’s manual but are intended as simple instructions for daily use. Download your full version of the manual here

Toilet Fixtures Maintenance and Use

Ultra-Low Flush Toilet System Model (Wet System)

Cleaning

The toilet is porcelain and should be cleaned with hot water or bio-degradable products only to avoid damage to the compost. Ecogreen Toilet and Urinal cleaner or a Baking Soda solution.

Using the low flush toilet

Deposit your toilet paper, step on the foot pedal to flush, close the lid and walk away…your job is done. If you plan on making a more substantial deposit and would like more water in the bowl, simply lift the foot pedal up and the bowl will fill. When you have the desired amount of water, let the pedal drop back in place and do what you have to do.

AIR FLOW A/F Waterless Toilet System Model (Dry System)

Cleaning

The toilet can be cleaned with the same products as the low flush while using less water. It is ideal to close the lid after use to maintain the correct airflow through the system.

Using the Air Flow waterless toilet

With this system, you can do your business as per normal, there is no flush needed. After use, the WCT SUN MIX can be added directly down the toilet chute but the mixing of the system should not be forgotten as per mentioned in the weekly maintenance schedule below.

Composting System Maintenance

Weekly maintenance (every second day):

• Turn drum to reveal waste inlet hole through the access port and add WCT SUN MIX at the rate of 1 cupful per person per day. Rotate handle clockwise to mix contents of Bio-drum and give 6 complete revolutions of the drum (36-40 rotations of the handle). Ensure that the drum door opening is in the vertical position at the end after hearing the 'click' of the catch. Spray Ecogreen Toilet and Urinal cleaner into the drum before and after mixing.
• CHECK THE VOLUME OF THE BIO-DRUM™ To speed up composting, add one scoop of WCT MICRO MIX every second week, and ensure that the drum is not more than ½ full.

The installation and maintenance manual provided with the toilet outlines these activities and we also provide customer support Monday to Friday on 0800 022 027, should you have any questions unanswered in this material.

Ecoflo Statement of support
Ecoflo continues to offer quality backup and support for the life of the systems and with distributors in the Australasian area, prompt after-sales service and advice is assured. If you have any queries on the use or maintenance of your EcoLet please contact WCTNZ for New Zealand or contact Ecoflo Direct if WCTNZ was not available at the time and immediate support is required.