The Design of the Sun-Mar Mobile Family
Although the Sun-Mar Mobile uses Sun-Mar’s tried and true three-chamber system, "marinading" the unit led to some interesting adaptations. The need to be able to handle violent motion meant that the finishing drawer had to be casketed so that no liquid could escape from the evaporating chamber.
The air intakes face the same problem. These have to be located higher up and the air ducted down to the evaporating chamber.
At the same time, a special drum locker ensures that the composting drum is held upright under all sea or road conditions.
Space constraints mean that a fold-away foot rest is needed on the unit. This footrest has spring loaded legs, and a safety release mechanism to enable it to be removed periodically when access to the finishing drawer is required.
To assist installation, strong mounting brackets are mounted at the base and rear of the unit.
Electrically, the Sun-Mar Mobile Family are quite different from other units because of the unique situation on many boats and RV’s. A 4.0 Watt 12 Volt fan is installed in a fan box within the vent stack. This fan, (which is on its own circuit) is designed to operate continuously while the unit is in use.
To assist the 12 Volt fan in providing adequate venting, the Sun-Mar Mobile is unique among Sun-Mar units in having a 3" vent stack. Customers need to supply their own deck vents, which should be constructed to allow adequate air movement while preventing seawater from entering the unit.
Carbon and Zeolite Filter
While venting is optimal above deck level, some installations will require that the deck vent is flush with the deck. Sun-Mar has incorporated the use of activated carbon and zeolite filter materials in the fan box to "scrub" the air of fresh ammonia odors. This has proven successful, and ensure odor-free operation at deck level.
Evaporation and Electrical Configuration
Evaporation is aided by a 110 volt, 120 Watt heater and thermostat. This heater is located in the sealed base compartment which on the Sun-Mar Mobile (Sloped Back) also extends up the 45° angle at the rear of the unit.
The thinking in designing a 110 volt heater into the unit was that a 12 Volt supply is often available while the unit is in motion, while the 110 volt heater can frequently be used while the vehicle is in an RV park, or, in the case of a vessel, hooked up to shore supply.There should be enough 12 Volt battery power to keep the 12 Volt 4.0 Watt fan running continuously, and it hooks up on a separate circuit to facilitate this.
Overflow Drain Required
Evaporation capacity on Sun-Mar Mobile units is limited by the size of the heater, the surface area of the evaporation chamber, and the volume of air movement. Consequently, arrangements should be made to connect the Sun-Mar Mobile drains to a container or small holding tank for disposal in an approved manner, especially if you are unable to incorporate the 12 Volt heater option into the unit.
