FAQs

Cuddy™ takes 12v to run the internal fan. We ship with the cable ready to be hard-wired into your 12V system.

If you want to move Cuddy™ around that's easy too. You can get a cig plug, or merit plug adaptor or even a USB to 12V cable with a 5.5 x 2.1mm plug from here. Cuddy™ will go anywhere. Cuddy™ is very efficient - draws about 0.2 amps. 

You can also run Cuddy™ from 240v, you just need to get an adaptor like this one.

It is ok if Cuddy is not connected to power all the time. If you store Cuddy in one place while travelling it could go without power and use it where there is power, or vice versa.

For the "pee full" indicator Cuddy uses a 9v battery, you will need to supply that.

A carbon rich compost medium like hydrated coco coir, mini hemp, or wood shavings is all you need to get the composting process going. Just put the medium into the solids bin just covering the bottom of the agitator arms, and of you “go”!

The product most people use is called Coir Peat, produced by Brunnings, sold at Bunnings. it is $5.98 for a 15 litr compressed block. You will use about half a block every 3 weeks.

No, composting toilets do not smell when used properly. They will not stink out your van, boat, tiny home, camper, or cabin. The composted material looks and smells earthy—like a forest floor. When emptying the loo, there is no unpleasant odour, unless you’re one of those rare folks that don’t like forest floors.

The carbon rich compost medium and aeration provides the perfect conditions for the microorganisms and good bacteria to do their job and break down your waste.

Cuddy™ gives you options. 

You don't have to vent Cuddy™ externally. If you are using it for weekends or shorter trips, using the internal carbon filter and fan will be fine, many of our customers have used this for years and some customers never turn the fan on at all. Cuddy™ was built to be portable and flexible for varied installations and uses.

The possible result of not venting externally (either outside of your van or just directly out the back of Cuddy™) is you may get a build up of condensation. It depends on many variables like temperature, humidity and what stage the composting is at.

The moisture itself is not a problem, it means that the compost is heating up (that's a good thing) and the air temperature outside of Cuddy™ is most likely colder than inside, that can cause condensation.

To use the fan and use any of the following venting options you will need 12v power.

If you are travelling for extended periods, having some type of ventilation is ideal. There are many options Cuddy™ gives you for how to vent, depending on how you are installing and using the toilet.

To vent externally to the Cuddy itself, you need to turn over the airflow adapter that sits under the housing that supports the carbon filter. It is easy to do and just takes 4 screws out, turn the adapter over and put the 4 screws back in. Once you vent externally you will not need the included carbon filter.

The venting options are:

1. Directly out the back of Cuddy™ You can choose to just vent directly out the back of Cuddy into the atmosphere, this is perfect if you use your Cuddy outside.

2. To the outside of your van. If you are installing Cuddy into your van, we recommend you vent externally to the van if possible. You can vent via some 22mm waste water pipe and a hose clamp attached to the back of Cuddy and run through the floor or use our venting kit.

3. To the inside of your van. If you are using your Cuddy inside your van and either want to keep it portable or don't want to, or can't, drill a hole in your van, our venting carbon filter is for you.

If you are venting externally to Cuddy ™make sure to use the fly screen kit that comes with Cuddy to keep the bugs out. The rubber surrounds of the fly screen also serve to create a tight seal on the airflow adapter.

Have a look at this video to understand all there is to know about venting Cuddy™. This video does not include information about our new externally venting carbon filter.

Please get in touch if you have any questions and we can work out what will work best for you.

Many of our customers install Cuddy™ permanently in their van. Cuddy™ has 4 reinforced screw down points in the base for easy install.

We recommend that you vent Cuddy™ when you install permanently, it helps reduce excess moisture and breaks the solids down a bit more quickly.

Liquids Bottle

You will need to empty the liquids bottle each time it gets full, the "pee full" indicator will light up when it's time to empty.

Solids Bin

As a rule of thumb, our research and experience tells us that a couple will get between 2 to 3 weeks full time use out of the solids bin. There are obviously a number of variables that will impact that. As we know though, when you are travelling you don't always use your own toilet 100% of the time, so you will likely get much longer. Some customers tell us they get months before they need to empty.

The more people you have using Cuddy™ the less time you will get out of the solids bin. There will be a tipping point where using a Cuddy™ Lite solids bin and a bag will be a better approach. With heavy use, the solids bin will fill up quickly. With little time for the composting process to really get going, and filling up quickly, it will be much more pleasant to use a compostable bag in a Cuddy™ Lite bin.

Make sure to add a layer of carbon rich material over each deposit if you are not using the agitator. Makes it much more pleasant for the next in line.

For a comprehensive guide and recommendations please follow this link.

If possible, to continue the composting process and to reduce landfill, bury the waste appropriately or add it to your own compost pile.

If you bury it please be responsible. Ensure it is at lest 100 metres away from a water source or camp site and at least 250mm down.

Solids from composting toilets may also be put in a compostable bag and disposed of in a regular rubbish bin*. Please double bag the waste and ensure it is tightly sealed.

Cuddy™ is specially designed to make this step as quick and easy as possible. Liquids from composting toilets can be poured down a regular toilet or onto the nearest thirsty looking mature tree! It is not recommended to empty 6.5 litres of urine on one tree! Be responsible and share the love around.

* All waste should be disposed of according to local regulations, and with care and respect for the environment and the other people who enjoy it.

There are many differing opinions about toilet paper. Should you or should you not put it in the compost? Do you need a special type?

For what it is worth we recommend where possible to try to keep it separate from the compost mix, it takes longer to break down and can fill up the solids bin more quickly.

We appreciate that might not always be possible for
whatever reason, so while any toilet paper will eventually break down, recycled single ply toilet paper seems to breakdown more quickly. 

We don't recommend this because food scraps will attract flies and other insects.

Not until it has fully finished composting which will take several months. While 'composting toilets' begin the composting process and reduce the volume of waste, the material needs additional time to kill off any bacteria and parasites. Joseph Jenkins has literally written the book on this -  'humanure handbook' and we would encourage any readers to refer to this as a reference