OGO Compost Toilet Walk-Thru
Unboxing Your Unit
What’s in the box?
In this video, we will go through step by step to get started on using your new unit. If you have received any damage to your unit, contact us immediately before installing. Each unit comes with a manual and we have other guides to help assist you further.
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OGO™ LEARN
Deciding How to Power
Each unit comes with a 12v pre-stripped power cable. This will allow you to directly hardwire your unit to your DC power source. This could be directly to a 12V deep cell battery or to you already existing electrical system in your build. 
Contact a professional electrician or contractor if there are power issues with your build. Each build is as unique as you are, so please note these are general statements for example purposes only. OGO can not assume responsibility for troubleshooting power with in you van only within the unit it’s self. You can use a multimeter. A multimeter or a multitester, also known as a volt/ohm meter or VOM, is an electronic measuring instrument that combines several measurement functions in one unit. A typical multimeter may include features such as the ability to measure voltage, current and resistance. We explain power supply further in other articles.
Another option is to purchase a power adapter that can convert to a AC power source and be able to plug into a 110v outlet. This is a great convenience to be able to just plug in without any wiring. The power adapter will have a blue indicator light on the inverter box. If this light is not on, please ensure you outlet is receiving enough power. For power specifications please refer to page four of the manual.
How Do I Know My Unit Is On?
Ventilation Fan
Each OGO Compost Toilet has a built-in ventilation fan that will run continuously. This is a great indicator that your unit is running effectively. If your fan is not running, there are a few things to check. Most are easy fixes and can get you up and running.
First, check all the electrical connections. You can follow the wiring diagram to ensure all connections are not only secure but in the correct locations as well. Usually, in this instance, a loose wire can be the reason your unit is not working. Once you have confirmed all connections are secured and your unit is still not running, we will take a look at the power source.
Double-check your power source, sometimes, incorrect installation or a tripped circuit/fuse. If you are unsure about your power source, please consult a professional. Incorrect installation can cause your timer to short out. We have updated the timers, to decrease this issue, if reversed polarity has been consistent it can result in your fuse and motor malfunctioning as well. We cover more information in other articles.
Motor Function
The power agitation is a feature that sets your OGO unit above all the rest. Your motor should run for 45 seconds after pushing your power button. Your agitation arms should move freely and should not scrape the sides of the bin. This should be a smooth rotation. After 45 seconds the motor will shut off automatically. In older models, the cycle time is 2 minutes, but we noticed we could achieve the same aeration needed to start the composting process in less time.
If you are experiencing a semi-automatic function, where you are having to hold the power button for the motor to run, it is most likely at some point the polarity was switched and the timer shorted out. Contact us and we will send you a new timer. Once your timer is received, replacing your timer is pretty simple.
Another sign polarity has been switched is if your motor is rotating slowly. It would not be enough to turn your solids bin effectively. This is caused by the PTC Fuse. It protects your motor, but it can wear out rather quickly, actually limiting the amount of amperage the motor receives. If this is happening to you, again contact us. We will send you a new timer, and also suggest that you cut out your fuse. The new timer has a surge protector built in, so the fuse will not be needed.
Other common issues with your motor not functioning correctly are typically a direct result of your compost medium mixture being too thick. Simply empty your bin and ensure your agitator can spin freely. Confirm you are using the correct medium.
Deciding Urine Diversion
The urine diversion is one of the defining features of a compost toilet. Your unit comes standard with a trap door to separate the liquids from the solids.
Once diverted the liquid will flow down into the urine bottle. It is a sturdy and easy-to-use HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) molded bottle. It holds 2.4 gallons of liquid before needing to be emptied and is stored in the front drawer of your unit. Another feature that sets OGO™ apart from other composting toilets, is the Urine sensor.
How does the urine sensor work?
The sensor bracket is measured and placed in the exact location for the urine sensor to detect the level of liquid needed to avoid overflowing. Made of high-density polyethylene and fastened with stainless steel screws. There are some common troubleshooting guides and information about the urine sensor and working parts that you can find here.
Every OGO™ Compost Toilet is hand-assembled at our Ohio, USA facility, ensuring quality is our number one priority. Every sensor bracket is specifically mounted and tested for maximum performance of the sensor, we check to make sure it is the correct distance from the bottle, and it is the proper height for the bottle to be almost full before needing to be emptied. We have upgraded our packaging in shipping to help ensure that your sensor bracket does not get damaged in shipping as well.
Each sensor will fit tightly in the bracket. It should not be able to wobble or move. I was engineered to be strong and stable no matter how bumpy your off-road travels get; the sensor bracket will hold the sensor in place.
To clean, use a swap or wipe. While there should never be much build-up in this particular area, things happen. We do not suggest directly spraying the sensor; however, a wet wipe or towel should remove any buildup of debris.
What if I don’t want to mess with a bottle?
OGO™ is a part of many different lifestyles, which require different adaptations to provide the best user experience. Some of these lifestyles choose a composting toilet but are wanting to not worry about dumping a urine bottle. That is why we have added the OGO™ Drain Kit to help with this.
Made from strong molded plastic this kit includes a base, flange, stainless steel screws, and cut-to-fit PVC piping. The toilet was designed to be able to add this accessory. Can be added to any existing tank or filtration system. Can be adapted to fit standard 3/4″ pipe and hose fixtures.