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          Installation Overview

          Installing an EcoLet™ Composting Toilet Considerations

          A brief overview and please refer to your system manuals for comprehensive instructions.

          To download, your system manual please see the corresponding online EcoLet™ product pages or log in to your online account to see your systems purchases and there corresponding documents.

           

          What comes with your EcoLet™ system?

          The EcoLet™ systems come as a complete package ready for installation as per the prices quoted on this site. You will receive every component you need to complete the installation with exclusion to aspects of your ventilation system that may be affected by your buildings limitations.

          Who can Install the system and what tools are required?

          If the toilet is to be installed in Australia or New Zealand as part of a building application with council approval a plumber is generally required to sign off on the installation. If you don't have a plumber or builder in mind we can also recommend one who has experience with our systems.

          That said, our waterless toilets can be installed in half a day by anyone who has access to the tools listed below. So, if you aren't seeking council's approval of the system then simply follow the DIY instruction manual for the composting toilets.

          Tools and material required:

          •          Electric drill with a hole saw bit
          •          Jigsaw
          •          PVC non-pressure pipe glue
          •          Silicone
          •          Shovel (for absorption trench NE model only)

          For all 12v and 24v models, you do not need an electrician for the installation itself. However, if you are using mains power to run the fan you will need to ensure a power point is located near the ventilation pipe. If the fan is to be solar powered, then follow the instructions in the manual on connection to the solar regulator.

          Placement of the Toilet

          • The EcoLet™ 240 range requires space in front of the system for the removal of the fishing tray about 1.4 meters from the back wall.
          • The composting system should be installed on the north side of a home to maximize exposure to direct sunlight to keep the room warm. It good building practice to have all wet area rooms positioned with solar thermal gains.   
          • The EcoLet™ 240 range comes with a heater and powerful fan that can evaporate all excess liquid if continuous power can be guaranteed and the recommended number of users is not exceeded. These systems can be installed in rooms that do not have access to the outside. However, the liquid sight tube can be connected to a soakaway drain if the system is subject to continuous use higher than the rated user capacity and or is in very cold climate where no other heating is available, but this is not a recommended practice as the system will not be achieving a complete compost.

          Ventilation System

          As with all good composting toilet systems, the heart of the EcoLet™ is the 12 or 240-volt fan which runs the Ventilation System 24 hours a day to continuously circulate air through the compost heap.

          • The air is drawn down through the toilet pedestal through the compost chamber and out of the vent pipe. This set-up ensures that no odours enter the toilet room.
          • The vent pipe (2”) and connections are provided. Further lengths can be supplied should you not have sufficient pipe to extend at least 600mm above the highest point of your roof.

           

          Powering Your EcoLet™ System

          Using Mains Power (Suited for Heated and Non-Heated Systems)

          • 240-volt models: New Zealand pin plug is provided that can be connected to a mains power point
          • 12-volt models: 240/12 volt regulated transformer, extension wire, and connectors are all included as standard to run the fan from mains power. 

          Using Solar Power Supply (Mostly Suited for Non-Heated Systems)

          Using dedicated Solar Kit To Run The System

          • 240-volt models: You will require a solar system large enough to power the system for up to 7 days. The headed systems will vary in the relative climates their power consumption to maintain the required temperature so as it gets colder the systems will use more power. The EcoLet™ 240 range will use on average 2kw; your solar system will need about 1kw of panels and battery’s large enough to serve up to 7 days without sun. Note due to the cost of this setup it is not recommended, refer to “Using Your Existing Solar Power To Run The System” seen below.
          • 12-volt models: Running a fan on a dedicated solar power supply is ideal. You will need an 80w panel, controller and a small battery 60 – 100 amp hour battery will cover the systems needs for up to 7 days. If you are building a standalone building consider a kit that will run the lighting as well.

          Using Your Existing Solar Power To Run The System

          Keep in mind that like any appliance it is important to calculate the daily use of power required and to add (scale) this on to your existing power demands.

          • 240-volt models: Scaling up an existing power supply system is the only time it is considered cost-effective to run heated composting systems. Consider that the EcoLet™ 240 range will use on average 2kw; your solar system will need about 1kw of panels and to scale both your battery bank and 240v inverter supply to match your peak power draw.
          • 12/24-volt options (Non-Heated models): If your house is powered by solar, you will have a battery bank that will generally be either 12-volt or 24-volt DC.
          1. 12-volt system; just connect the battery directly to the fan. Don’t forget to put a 0.5-amp fuse in line with the fan.
          2. 24-volt system; ask us for a 24-volt fan which will allow you to run the fan directly from your 24-volt battery bank.

          Note that;

          • The fan will use about 6 amp-hours of power on a 12-volt system per day.
          • If you have an inverter, don’t use it to power just a fan. The inverter will run an average with a 10% inefficiently when it is powering only the small fan and you will waste a lot of precious power. It may even flatten your batteries long term.

          Excess Liquid Absorption Trench (NE Models only)

          The liquid discharge connection must be permanently connected to a small absorption trench as depicted below. This is the standard requirement as per AS/NZS 1546.2.

          All NE models are supplied with a length of flexible 25mm drain hose. You may need to buy a length of 50mm PVC pipe to connect the hose to the slotted ag pipe in the absorption trench. The length will depend on where you choose to put the trench.