BIOLET 25a Composting Toilet User Manual
- June 5, 2024
- BIOLET
Table of Contents
BIOLET 25a Composting Toilet User
INTRODUCTION
Please read the instructions before beginning to install your BioLet toilet.
Experience has shown that problems that can occur are almost all related to
installation and maintenance mistakes. To ensure hassle-free use, take a
moment to read through the manual.
THREE IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER:
- When the toilet is used, room temperature should be at least +18°C (65°F).
- If you are away for more than two days, always turn the power off and put the cover in the seat opening, otherwise the compost will become dry.
- The heating element in the room can also be switched off, the composting toilet will not be damaged by freezing.
How the BioLet works
BioLet is a self-contained biological toilet that composts waste, toilet paper
and evaporates liquid. The composting process takes place using nature’s own
microorganisms, without the need of any chemicals. Controlled air supply and
heat, as well as regular mixing of the compost accelerates the composting
process and converts toilet waste into eco-friendly humus. This makes a
nutrient rich supplement for your garden.
Your BioLet box and installation kit
The box contains:
The toilet, a bag of humus, a rake and instructions.
- The installation kit contains:
- Ventilation pipes, white pipes, 5 pcs x 675 mm (27”).
- Outside pipe, black 2 pcs x 675 mm (27”).
- Insulation, 2 pcs x 675 mm (27”).
- Reduction coupling, 55/110 mm (21/4”/41/2”). Roof flashing. Insect netting.
Wall installation (optional)
The installation package contains: 2 x 45° elbows 55 mm (21/4”), Insulation
675 mm (27”), inside and outside cover, 2 pcs x exterior pipe 45°, 2 pcs x
Insulation 55 mm (21/4”) 675 mm (27”), exterior pipe 110 mm (41/2”), 3 pcs x
exterior pipe 110 mm (41/2”) belled, reduction sleeve, insect netting.
Extra accessories
Optional accessories are available: elbows 30° and 45°, insulation, straight
pipes, humus starter, extra tray.
BioLite cross-section
- Pipe connection
- Adjustable setting
- Fan motor
- Heating element
- Airflow
- External Cord
- Composting chamber
- Tray
- Overflow connection 65a
- Lower heating element
- Mixing handle 15a
- Sensor magnet
- Soft-close seat
- Mixer motor 25a/65a
- Cover removable
- Compost cover
- Shearpin 25a/65a
- Shaft with mixer arms
- a. Upper mixing arm
- b. Lower mixing arm
- Airflow
- Grate
- Front cover
- Liquid tube, owerflow (at the left hand side, seen from the front)
- Liquid tube, tray (at the right hand side, seen from the front)
INSTALLATION
You will need the following:
- Hole saw 55 mm (21/4”) or jigsaw
- Saw
- Measuring tape
- Asphalt sealant/adhesives
Also, check the floor space where the toilet should be placed so it is large
enough. Required floor space is: BioLet 15a and 25a width 55 cm (211/2”) x
length 110 cm (43”)
BioLet 65a width 65 cm (251/2”)x length 135 cm (53”) (for the toilet and room
for removal of the tray)
Pipe installation
The entire pipe, from ceiling and up through cold areas such as attic, must be
insulated. This is to prevent condensation in the ventilation pipe and to
increase natural draught. Insulation is essential, no matter how much or
little the toilet is used, even if the toilet is used only in summer. Do not
use bends more than 45°. Do not use any rain cap on top of the ventialtion
pipe, only use the included netting.
Overflow drain
If you choose to connect the emergency overflow drain, choose one of the
connectors (9), depending on the direction of the hose. There is a silicone
plug in the connector, push the plug into the toilet and connect the hose.
Temperature
The room in which the toilet is installed must be insulated. When the toilet
is in use, room temperature should be at least 18°C (65°F) to ensure proper
function. The best thing to do is to install a thermostatically controlled
heating element. During periods when the toilet is not in use the temperature
in the room can be low or even freezing without any damage to the unit.
Air supply
To ensure adequate air supply, a vent through the outer wall should be
installed. (100 mm (4”). No extractor fan in the toilet room to avoid back
drought, which can lead to odors in the room.
Assembly
- Set the toilet in position against the wall. The floor must be even and insulated.
- Measure and make a hole for the ventilation pipe in the ceiling, 55 mm (21/4”) diameter. Install the ventilation pipe with the non-sleeved end down inside the rubber coupling on the toilet.
- Measure and make a hole in the roof, with 55 mm (21/4”) diameter.
- Push the pipe up through the hole. Seal it well using asphalt sealant between the pipe and the roof to prevent any leaks.
- Insulate the pipe from the ceiling up to the top. All pipework in cold spaces must be insulated.
- Cut the exterior pipe to fit the angle of the roof.
- Place the roof flashing on to the exterior pipe. (Use soapy water to make it easier). If you have a tin roof, the best thing to do is to get a sheet metal worker to make a junction between the roof and the exterior pipe.
- Pass the exterior pipe over the ventilation pipe’s insulation. Put on the reduction coupling.
- Adjust the roof flashing and seal firmly with asphalt sealant between the roof flasing and the roof.
- Fit the insect netting against the stop on the reducing coupling.
Starting of empty toilet
- Put about 2/3 of the bag of the BioLet humus starter into the toilet, except to model 65a where the whole bag should be used. About half of the material falls directly through the grate into the humus tray.
- Connect the plug into a grounded wall socket. Push down and release the seat. The mixer motor will automatically start and make one turn, repeat this a couple of times.
- Set the heating control to the desired level. It’s recommended to start with setting #2.
Capacity setting
Adjust capacity by turning the knob.
The recommended start setting for 2 people using the toilet is step 2. After
1-2 weeks in operation, you might have to adjust the setting depending on the
liquid level in the tube (23).
If the tube is empty, decrease the setting and if the tube is more than half
full increase the setting.
TO SET THE HEATER
Set the heat according to usage, check the level tube (16) on the right side
(seen from the front).
- green light – Fan only
- yellow light (one LED) – fan and 30% heat
- yellow light (two LEDs) – fan and 60% heat
- yellow light (three LEDs) – fan and 100% heat
Operation
LIQUID IN THE LEVEL TUBE
The level tube (on the right-hand side, viewed from the front)(23) shows how
much liquid there is in the tray. The tube should never be full; this means
the tray is full of liquid. Half full of liquid in the tube is ideal.
CORRECT SETTING
At the correct setting, the compost has a porous and moderately moist
consistency. If liquid stays on top of the compost and seeps into the tray
slowly, then the compost is too wet and can no longer absorb the liquid as
intended. Increase the setting and add a few litres of humus starter. On the
other hand, if hard lumps form or toilet paper remains on top, so that it
doesn’t get soaked and mixed in properly during mixing, the compost is too
dry. If so, turn the setting down and sprinkle a few litres of water over the
compost.
EMPTYING FREQUENCY
In a cottage, with four to six weeks use a year, it is usually enough to empty
the tray once. More frequent use
and you have to empty the tray more often.The general rule is to empty the
tray when the compost level reaches the upper mixing arm. It will only take a
few days after emptying, before the tray is filled and should stay full for
composting until the next emptying of the tray.
ADD EXTRA HUMMUS STARTER
To get the best compost, keep the compost porous and of moderately moist
texture, and add a little hummus regularly, approx one quart per person/week
EMPTYING
Where you can get by with one emptying a year, leave the compost in the toilet
during the off-season. The tray is then emptied next season.
EMPTYING THE TRAY
A few days before emptying, increase the setting to 3 yellow lights. Once the
liquid has disappeared from the level tube, do as follows:
- Make sure there is no liquid in the level tubes on the right (23) or left hand (22) sides.
- If there is still liquid, wait until the liquid has evaporated.
- Disconnect the power.
- Emptying: Remove the front cover (21) and remove the tube from the tray.
- Empty the tray.
- Before you slide the tray back into place, check that the area where the tray goes is clean.
- Replace the level tube and the front cover.
Prepare for brief absences
If you are away for more than two days, turn the power off, otherwise, the
compost will become hard and dry. If there is a lot of liquid, for example,
after heavy use, you can leave the toilet running for a limited period
(approximately one week). Leave the toilet running on step1. Then only the fan
will run, and the contents of the tray will dry slowly.
At the end of the season
When the season is over and it is time to leave your cottage, unplug the
toilet and put the cover in the seat opening. You can also turn off the heat
in the toilet room, as the BioLet does not freeze or break.
New-season approaching
When the season is approaching, and it is time to open up your cottage, it is
also time for the BioLet to be used again after a long break. Check if the
compost has become hard. If so, break it up with the rake. Then emplty the
tray. If there is less than 10 cm (4”) of compost on the grate, add some more
humus starter.
FAQ
What to do if the compost becomes too dry?
Use the setting to reduce the heat to a lower level and spray a couple of
liters of water on the compost, at the same time it may be useful to break up
the compost through the seat opening using the rake. If the compost is
consistently too dry, despite the setting being at step 1, then you can also
install a timer that turns the power off at night.
The forming of hard lumps or that toilet paper remains on top instead of
becoming wet and getting mixed in to the compost indicates that it is too dry.
What to do if the compost becomes too wet?
First check that power is connected to the toilet, so that the fan and heater
work. The fan motor is working if you are able to hear it and the heating you
can check by holding your hand on the back of the toilet. Then check:
When the compost is no longer able to absorb liquid, and it stays on top of
the compost.
- The ventilation pipe has been installed according to the instructions.
- The room temperature should be at least 18°C (65°F) when the toilet is beeing used..
- The toilet has been overloaded. Reduce the load.
- There is enough airflow through the wall vent.
Getting the compost drier
- Mix a few quarts of BioLet Special Humus into the moist compost until all the liquid has been absorbed.
- If there is liquid in the level tube. Do not turn it down to a lower setting until the liquid regains its normal level.
- If there is liquid in the level tube on the left side as viewed from the front, the tray has overflowed. Increase the setting and wait a couple of days before emptying.
- If the compost does not become drier, the excess liquid will need to be emptied. Loosen the level tube (23) at the top and connect a garden hose. Note: Do not open the front cover.
- If the toilet is full, empty the tray. It might be necessary to repeat this until the volume is back to normal.
What to do if the tray is stuck
If the tray is stuck in place, due to compost between the tray and the grate
having dried, release the tray by pulling the humus rake back and forth
between the tray and the grate.
Emptying
For more frequent use, for example in the event of permanent use, the more
often the tray has to be emptied. If the toilet has not been used for the last
2 months, the contents in the tray can be used as fertilizer immediately. But,
when emptying the tray in the middle of the season, the contents need to be
compost further for about 2 months. Remove the full tray and replace it with
an additional tray (which can be bought from us). Put the full tray in a
plastic bag.
What should not be put in to the toilet?
The disposal of items such as sanitary towels, tampons, cigarette butts, and
burning or glowing objects should not be put into the toilet.
What to do if there is a bad odor in the toilet room?
A properly installed and maintained BioLet is completely odor-free. If you do
experience a bad odor in the toilet room. Make sure you have followed the
installation and maintenance instructions (using the quick guide below) and
you will probably be able to determine the cause of the problem.
Check
- That the BioLet is getting enough air through a vent in the outer wall.
- Make sure the front cover is put on properly.
- Avoid draughts by not having both windows and vents open at once, or a bathroom fan running.
- That the pipes fit the toilet properly and pipe joints are sealed.
- That any pipe bends are not more than 45° or more than two bends.
What do I do if the mixer motor does not work?
The mixer motor is protected in two different ways in order to prevent damage
on mechanical parts.
- The motor runs normally, but the mixing arms do not move! There is a shear pin on the motor shaft. When the resistance is too high, the shear pin breaks and must be replaced.
- The motor starts and stops and after a while it starts again by itself, but the mixing arms are still not moving! The electrical motor has overheating protection, which activates if the resistance is too high. It will turn itself off. But it will try again after a while and it will repeat this until the high resistance in the compost has been resolved. It is usually enough by mixing the compost, using the rake and adding a few liters of water. See “What do I do if the compost becomes too dry” page 8
What do I do if the shear pin breaks?
The shear pin can easily be replaced. The shear pin is not covered by
warranty. An extra shear pin is fixed next to the mixer motor.
When do I need to call a qualified electrician?
BioLite is approved for installation in bathrooms. If the main cord is damaged
it must be replaced by the manufacturer or its service people, or another
qualified person, to prevent injury. This manual should be is placed near the
toilet.
Where do I get parts?
Contact your national dealer. Always have the serial number and model ready
and what year it was bought. This information can be found on a sticker on the
back of the toilet.