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This chapter will deal with problem that may arise with your compost, what is required to make your compost healthy
and how to correct problems if they arise.
Aerobic Compost Requirements
In a Sun-Mar, a good compost is predominantly aerobic, which
means that oxygen is available for aerobic bacteria throughout
the Bio-drum. Aerobic bacteria consume waste quickly and
odourlessly to produce carbon dioxide and water vapor and
leave behind a small fraction of the original waste volume in
the form of basic minerals. The end compost is a mix of valu-
able minerals and bulking material that has not decomposed.
To work effectively to break down waste, aerobic bacteria need
oxygen, moisture, available carbon (from the bulking material),
and warmth.
In a Sun-Mar, oxygen is provided by the tumbling of the drum
and the bulking material leaving free air space within the com-
post. Moisture is provided by the waste, and is made available
to aerobic bacteria by the moisture retention properties of the
bulking material. If the compost is too dry, add warm water.
In summary, to keep the compost aerobic, it is important to
rotate the drum, add bulking material, and keep the compost
moist.
Oxygen
Lack of oxygen becomes a problem where:
- Too much moisture eliminates the free air space,
- A lack of bulking material limits free air space,
- Aerobic bacteria use up oxygen in the compost.
Lack of oxygen causes the compost to become increasingly
anaerobic, which means that aerobic bacteria are displaced by
anaerobic bacteria. Anaerobic bacteria work slowly and pro-
duce undesirable ammonia, hydrogen sulphide, and methane.
Consequently, the maintenance of ‘free air’ space by periodi-
cally rotating the drum and adding the right bulking material is
very important in Sun-Mar units. Excessive rotation is not
helpful and can harm the compost by disturbing the bacteria
too much.
Moisture
If there is too much moisture, and the compost is approaching
saturation, oxygen is pushed out and anaerobic activity pre-
dominates. On the other hand, if there is too little moisture,
aerobic activity slows. For this reason, it is important to main-
tain adequate moisture levels (40-60% moisture content is
ideal). Generally, if you shine a flashlight in after mixing, there
should be a slight sheen of moisture on your compost.
Warmth
Too little warmth will cause aerobic activity to slow. Below 13-
55F(15C) degrees, microbes will go dormant and composting
will stop. Composting speeds increase dramatically with tem-
perature.
Characteristics of a Bad Compost
If your compost is over 8 weeks old and it exhibits one or more
of the following characteristics , then an operating change is
indicated.
Extraction required too often (under 4
weeks)
Large Lumps present in compost
Compost muddy or clay-like
Flies present (this may also be a problem
with foreign matter being added to unit; see
section on flies)
Compost has strong unpleasant smell of
sewage when drum is turned.
Toilet paper present in finishing drawer
Troubleshooting
In using this troubleshooting section, you should follow reme-
dial actions in the order that they are given, unless you are
sure of the problem. You should see improvement in a week,
and your compost should be back to normal in 2-3 weeks. If
it is not, make sure that “Ongoing Toilet Maintenance” is being
followed and check the mechanical troubleshooting section.
vent pipe being blocked by condensation which would cause a urine smell in your bathroom.
iii) All connectors in the vent pipe should be sealed. Use silicone for the connection of the vent stack to
the toilet in case the composting unit has to be moved or you have to access the fan. PVC cement
may be used in the rest of the stack installation if desired.
iv) All exposed 2”(50mm) vent pipe should be insulated with the foam insulation. This is especially
important for winter or residential use to prevent condensation.
v) The Sun-Mar 12 Volt fan is fitted inside a 12”(300mm) length of 4”(100mm) vent pipe for easy
installation, should it be needed. It is installed by either cutting out a section of the vent immediately
above the composting unit, or by raising the vent stack off of the composting unit and inserting the
fan section. The fan can be used with a solar panel and 12 volt battery, or by purchasing a 12 volt
adapter from your local hardware store and simply plugging it into the wall.
As shown in the installation, the vent stack should
end about 20-30”(60-90mm) above the peak of
the roof so that it is less subject to downdraft.
Where the piping is taken through the roof, the roof
flashing provided should be used to seal the instal-
lation. Insert the vent into the bell of the roof flash-
ing and slide the roof flashing down until it lays
evenly on the roof. Slip the upper edge or the roof
flashing flange under the shingles.
Outline the
flashing on the roof. Raise the roof flashing and
apply silicone sealant or roofing tar inside the out-
line. Slide the flashing back into place and firmly
press onto the sealant. The flashing is properly
placed when the top part of the roof flashing flange
is tucked under the shingles and the lower portion
is sealed on top of the shingles so that water sheds
easily. Secure the flashing with corrosion resistant nails at each corner and along sides. Any exposed nails
should be sealed with silicone caulking.
The diffusor provided with the unit is a simple device to
be installed at the top of the vent stack with the larger
pipe protruding above the smaller. To install, simply
glue the diffusor on the topmost section of vent pipe.
The diffusor design encourages updraft, and discour-
ages wind and weather from going down the vent stack.
Unlike wind turbines, diffusors are less likely to freeze
up in winter, and are more effective in calm weather.
A ground fault circuit interrupter (GFI) is recommended to protect your
composting unit from electrical problems.
This may be installed directly on the wall socket or at the circuit breaker.
An example is shown in the picture at the right.
Vent
Piping
Installation
(Cont’d)
Leading the
vent
through the
roof
The Diffusor
Electrical
Considerat-
ions
(Electric and
AC/DC)
Chapter 4
Compost Troubleshooting
Summary of Contents for centrex 2000 af
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