The CENTREX was first produced in 1993, and although it looks very different from the WCM, both central composting units have the same well proven, high capacity three chamber system.

The CENTREX and WCM have the same composting performance, but the differences in the physical arrangement of the components are often important from an installation point of view. Although the CENTREX is 27 1/2" high, the waste inlet pipe is only 26 1/2" from ground level. This low profile makes the CENTREX the unit of choice for installations under, or to the side of buildings where height is important, and the unit is to be vented up a side wall. If the CENTREX is to be exposed, electrical components should be protected from rain and flooding.

The waste enters the CENTREX Bio-drum through a 3" inlet pipe which connects the unit to a 1 pint flush toilet in the bathroom. Where possible, this toilet should be right above the CENTREX because this arrangement is easier to install and a minimum of flushing water is needed to transport the waste.

Although distances of over 20 ft. are not normally recommended, central units have been successfully installed up to 40 ft. away from the toilet. For such longer distances, an extra weekly flush through may be needed. The 3" waste piping should be either vertical (that is from 45 to 90 and/or close to horizontal with a drop of from 1/8" to 1/4" per foot (a slope of about 2 to 3 degrees). Apart from very short runs, angles of 5 to 45 should be avoided because then the water tends to leave the waste behind. The CENTREX is supplied complete with a straight waste inlet connection. This can be replaced by a 45® or 90® fitting, if necessary, to provide inlet access from any direction. In some localities, for some installations, horizontal piping may be limited by regulations.
Where there is not enough height for the waste to gravity feed from the toilet to the composting unit, the necessary height can often be obtained either by placing the toilet on a small platform in the bathroom, and/or lowering the central composting unit. The toilet may not have to be raised very far to achieve this. To avoid a step-up, a low profile toilet with a shortened pedestal can be used, and mounted on a 6" wooden platform to provide the correct seat height. (The Sealand 911 and 511 are low pedestal toilets). If the composting unit is to be lowered, care should be taken to ensure that rainwater drains away from the unit and the finishing drawer can be removed.

The CENTREX's evaporation performance of up to 2 gallons per day, may not be sufficient to evaporate all the liquid. This depends on the amount of flushing water and waste, the climatic conditions, and the warmth, moisture and volume of compost in the Bio-drum. The 1" drain hose supplied with the unit, should be hooked up, and excess liquid, if any, should be collected and/or disposed of in an approved facility such as a leach field, old septic system, holding tank or drain pit. Peat mix should be added and the Bio-drum rotated twice a week (while the unit is in use), or on departure (for weekend use). Some compost is removed in the Spring or when the Bio-drum gets 2/3 full, by rotating the drum backwards and extracting some compost into the pull-out finishing drawer.

If the CENTREX is to be used throughout the winter, care must be taken to keep the installation warm. Exposed piping should be insulated, and the unit should be plugged in, and placed in a warm insulated enclosure. A light bulb is often all that is needed to keep such an enclosure warm. For limited use during the winter (say 3-4 weekends), the unit can still be used even where the compost is frozen in the drum. The CENTREX can be plugged in on arrival so that the heater and the ventilation system are working. The Bio-drum can then be used as a holding tank. If the water supply to the low flush toilet is not connected, the toilet can still be flushed manually by using a container of water.

SPECIFICATIONS:

Electrical: 115 Volts, 2.5 Amps (Maximum) 25 Watt Fan
250 Watt Heater (Approximately Average Use 150 Watt)
Vent & Drains: 2 " Vent Pipe And Fittings (Supplied With Unit)
1" Overload Drain (Requires Hook Up) Dimensions: W (Excluding Handle) 32", H 27 1/2", Depth 27" (Incl. Fan) Product Weight: 55 lbs., Required Height To Pipe Inlet 26 1/2"; Required Depth To Remove Drawer: 40"; Width To Rotate Handle: 37 1/2"
Shipping Carton: W 27", H 29 1/2", L 35"; Shipping Weight: 95 lbs.