Sun-Mar Excel Ac/DC Composting Toilet

The Excel AC/DC composting toilet is a standard 115 volt Excel composting toilet unit, but with 1" safety drains at the rear and dual (2" and 4") vent stacks. The unit uses the regular 2" vent when 115 Volt power is available and defaults to the 4" non-electric vent when it is not. A 12 volt 1.4 watt fan is included for use in the 4" vent stack.

SUN-MAR EXCEL AC/DC Composting Toilet

The Excel AC/DC is a standard 115 volt Excel unit, but with 1" safety drains at the rear and dual (2" and 4") vent stacks. The unit uses the regular 2" vent when 115 Volt power is available and defaults to the 4" NE vent when it is not. A 12 volt 1.4 watt fan is included for use in the 4" vent stack. Click here for more information on fan installation and other fan options. The Excel AC/DC is for those with generators operating over 12 hours per day, or for people that expect to have continuous 110 volt power available in the future. The 1" overflow drain on the Excel AC/DC should be connected if the unit is being used heavily in AC mode, and if it is being used in DC or non-electric mode. It will only evaporate all liquids while working in the AC mode continuously. Click here for more information on handling excess liquid. Warranty All units carry a full 5 year replacement warranty on the fiberglass tank, and a comprehensive 3 year replacement warranty on all other parts.

Optional 12 Volt Fan

Interior View of the 12 Volt Fan

12 Volt Fan - Red Wire Positive, Blue Wire Negative

12 Volt Fan Installed In Vent Stack

What is the 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.

In Which Situations would I need a 12 Volt Fan?

• If 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).
• If your cottage is subject to downdraft.

In Which Situations Would Sun-Mar recommend a 12 Volt Fan?

• If the unit is being used residentially
• If you expect heavy seasonal use

In Which Situations Would Sun-Mar Not Recommend a 12 Volt 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. 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. Our fans will stand up to most weather conditions, but do not do well in salt air.

Which units come with the 12 Volt Fan?

Model	Fan
Excel AC/DC	1.4 Watt 12 Volt Fan
Centrex 2000 AF NE	2.4 Watt 12 Volt Fan
Centrex 2000 AF AC/DC	2.4 Watt 12 Volt Fan
Centrex 3000 AF NE	2.4 Watt 12 Volt Fan
Centrex 3000 NE	2.4 Watt 12 Volt Fan
Centrex 3000 AF AC/DC	2.4 Watt 12 Volt Fan
Centrex 3000 AC/DC	2.4 Watt 12 Volt Fan
Centrex 2000 AC/DC	1.4 Watt 12 Volt Fan
Centrex 1000 AC/DC	1.4 Watt 12 Volt Fan

Is Installation of the 12 Volt Fan required on the above models?

• AF (Air Flow) NE models:
  • These models require the installation of the 12 Volt fan to ensure that air is being drawn down the Sun-Mar dry toilet in the bathroom.
• AC/DC models:
  • Installation of the 12 Volt Fan is only required on these models where both vent stacks have been installed, or any of the other situations exist where Sun-Mar recommends its installation.
• Centrex 3000 NE:
  • While installation of the vent fan is not required on this model, it is highly recommended for assistance with airflow, or any of the other situations exist where Sun-Mar recommends its installation.

How Do I Install the 12 Volt Fan?
Choose a section of your vent where you will easily be able to access the fan, and connect it to the battery. Cut a suitably sized section of vent stack and insert the fan into the stack, ensuring that the piece is positioned correctly so that the fan is blowing upwards (coupling will be at the bottom). Caulk both seams with silicone for the best airflow.

Why can't I just use a computer fan?
Our fans are protected from moisture and weather, except in the case of air that is rich in salt (see above). While they may look like computer fans, they aren't.

How Do I Power the Fan?

• With DC Power:
  Purchase a solar panel appropriate to the wattage of your fan (5 Watt for the 1.4 watt fan, 10 watts or above for the 2.4 watt fan). 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.
• With AC Power:
  Purchase a 12 Volt AC Adapter from any electronics store. Cut off the female plug. Attach the positive wire to the red wire, the negative wire to the blue wire, and secure both with small wire connectors (marrettes). Plug into wall.

What Different Voltages and Watts are these fans Available In?

• 12 Volt 1.4 Watt Fan
  This is the fan which is shipped when you order a 12 Volt Fan. It will do for most situations, and has the lowest draw.
• 12 Volt 2.4 Watt Fan
  This fan increases the airflow level and is necessary for situations where there may be competing drafts, which is true in the case of the AF NE models and the AC/DC, dual-vented models.
• 24 Volt 3.3 Watt Fan
  For those with 24 Volt systems.

Excess Liquids

The electric EXCEL, COMPACT, CENTREX 2000 A/F and Centrex 3000 A/F will evaporate all liquids, depending on use and climate (ie use over-capacity and extremely humid weather). However, other than the CENTREX 2000 A/F and 3000 A/F, where it is optional, all Central units, the Excel-NE, the Ecolet Mobile, and the SPACESAVER should have the overflow security drain connected. Even though we expect the Excel, Compact, and Centrex 2000/3000 AF to evaporate all liquids in most situations, we always recommend that the overflow drain be connected if the units are being used residentially, or the units will be seeing heavy use for a short period of time (ie party, large family visits). This drain should always be connected as a security measure. A 10 Foot 1" drain hose and stainless steel hose clamp is supplied with all Central units, non-electric units, and the SPACESAVER. Collect and/or treat excess liquid in an approved facility such as a recycling bed, old septic system, holding tank or drain pit. To make a recycling bed to evaporate and transpirate the liquid without touching the environment, simply dig a bed 18" deep, and line it with plastic sheet. Bed size - normally 3-25 square feet - varies with geographic area and season. Fill it with 6" of gravel then 12" of sand and plant with grass and shrubs. Drain pits for excess liquid should be installed in accordance with local regulations. In many areas, this is about 1 ft. deep and 2 ft. in diameter. Place sturdy cover (plastic, tin or wood) and a 6" mound of earth over the drain to prevent soil and surface water from settling into the gravel. See the diagram at right.

A Typical French Drain

Installing the 1" Drain on the Excel-NE, Central systems, Ecolet Mobile, & Spacesaver.

 

More Information: In our How-To section: Sun Mar Composting Toilets

...and installation instructions at SunMar's information sites: Central Systems Self-Contained Systems