Venting Options for Your Cuddy Composting Toilet

Default Setup: Internal Recirculation

When your Cuddy arrives, it comes set up for internal air recirculation. The 12V fan at the back, which draws about 0.2 amps, circulates air through the carbon filter inside the unit. This setup is designed to help manage any excess odors.

Many of our customers are perfectly satisfied with this configuration. The fan quietly does its job, and the carbon filter ensures the air inside the Cuddy stays fresh. 

However, depending on what's inside the unit and the external temperature, you might notice some moisture build-up or condensation on the inside walls. This is normal and can easily be wiped away with a towel or paper towel.

External Venting: Reducing Excess Moisture

If you're looking to reduce excess moisture, venting your Cuddy externally might be a good option. It’s common to need the extra boost of airflow in environments with high humidity or temperatures. 

CompoCloset offers two options for external venting: 

1. Adding an external venting kit that routes air from inside Cuddy into a vent hose that goes outside through a wall or floor. 
2. Installing a venting carbon filter that circulates and cleans the air inside Cuddy and pushes it out the exhaust pipe of Cuddy. 

Using the External Venting Kit

For more permanent placements of Cuddy, we recommend venting externally with a hose that pulls air completely out of your living space through the floor or a wall. 

Here are step-by-step instructions on how to install our external venting kit:

Step 1: Prepare Your Cuddy

To begin the installation, open up your Cuddy and remove the liquid bottle, solids bin, and carbon filter. The carbon filter does a great job at averting any odors, but, for a longer-term solution, an external vent is a wonderful investment.

Step 2: Determine the Vent Diameter

The exhaust vent at the rear of your Cuddy has a specific diameter, which is approximately 0.865 inches or 21.971 millimeters. Knowing this measurement will help you choose the right hose for the installation.

Step 3: Select the Hose and Adapter

You have several options for the hose, such as a 22-millimeter corrugated hose or a 1-inch hose pipe. In this guide, we'll use a flexible 22-millimeter corrugated hose pipe and a Fliplock One adapter to attach it to the side of the van. Ensure that the hose and adapter are compatible and appropriate for your Cuddy's exhaust vent.

Step 4: Attach the Hose

Using a jubilee clip with a hexagonal head for easier access, attach the chosen hose securely to the exhaust vent of your Cuddy. Tighten the jubilee clip carefully, but avoiding over-tightening, as this could crush the exhaust pipe.

Step 5: Choose the Exhaust Vent Location

There are different options for exhaust vent placement, including going out through the floor, the side of the van, or up through the roof. Each option has its advantages, with going through the floor being one of the simplest and cleanest choices.

Step 5A: Floor Installation

If you choose to go through the floor, use a fly screen to prevent insects from entering the van. Drill a hole through the floor and insulation, place the fly screen over the hole, and secure it in place with silicon.

Step 5B: Wall Installation

For wall installation, drill a hole in the side of your van's interior. Attach the Fliplock One adapter to the wall, making sure it's secure. Insert the hose into the adapter's snap-in fitting for a sturdy connection. Seal the area with silicone sealant and install a cowling of your choice on the exterior of the van for a finished look.

Using the Venting Carbon Filter

For a drill-free option, our venting carbon filter is a great solution to help manage moisture buildup. It runs the air inside Cuddy through a carbon filter and pushes it out the exhaust pipe of the toilet. 

It’s incredibly easy to install, and replaces the built-in fan that comes standard with Cuddy. 

How to Install the Venting Carbon Filter

The Venting Carbon Filter comes with step-by-step instructions, including photos and a video guide.  

1. Disconnect Cuddy from its power source.
2. Remove the existing carbon filter and the four screws that secure the filter adapter
3. Use the screws you just removed to secure the new Filter Upstand. 
4. Place the fly screen over the vent hole. 
5. Attach the recirculation port in the configuration of choice (recirculation vs. external venting). 
6. Place the filter support over the fly screen and upstand.
7. Connect the power cables. 
8. Plug your Cuddy back in!

Keeping Bugs at Bay

When venting externally, it's important to prevent insects from entering the unit from the exhaust pipe:

• Long Pipes: If you're using an extended pipe for venting, consider placing an old stocking or similar mesh material over the end to act as a barrier.
• Direct Venting: For setups venting directly to the atmosphere, Cuddy comes with a specially designed midge mesh fly screen. It fits perfectly under the airflow adapter, ensuring bugs stay out while air flows freely.

The Choice is Yours

Ultimately, whether you choose to vent your Cuddy externally through a floor or wall, use the venting carbon filter, or recirculate the air internally, the Cuddy gives you the flexibility to decide what's best for you. 

Its versatile design accommodates a range of preferences and needs, reaffirming why it's the most versatile, fully optioned composting toilet in the world.

Remember, the key is flexibility. You can experiment with different setups to see what works best for your situation. If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to reach out to us.