It’s not just a feature—it’s what turns a manual chore into a one-button, hands-off process.
The timer inside the OGO™ ORIGIN might be out of sight, but it plays a key role in how your compost toilet works—and how it protects itself.
Let’s break down why it’s there, how it works, and how we improved it based on real-world performance.
Remove the waste bin and base insert to access the motor and timer.
What the Timer Does
Every time you press the power button, the timer engages the 12V motor and runs a 45-second agitation cycle—just enough time to fully mix the compost medium with solid waste.
It ensures consistency and energy efficiency without requiring you to press and hold or remember to shut it off.
Why the Timer Matters
The timer isn’t just about automation. It’s a core part of the OGO™ ORIGIN’s reliability.
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Prevents overuse and power waste
Without it, the motor would keep running until you manually stopped it—draining your battery and adding wear to the system. -
Built-in protection
Our timer includes polarity and surge protection—so if the wires get connected backwards during install, it won’t destroy the circuit. That’s peace of mind built into the hardware. -
Custom-built for OGO™
We don’t use off-the-shelf parts. The timer is designed specifically for the OGO™ ORIGIN to integrate seamlessly with our electronics and motor.
What Changed—and Why
In early versions of the OGO™ ORIGIN, we used a different timer.
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It included a hand-welded PTC fuse, which could fail permanently if polarity was reversed during installation.
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It also ran 1 minute 30 seconds per cycle, using more power than necessary and overworking the motor for smaller loads.
As we refined the product, we replaced the original timer with a shorter-cycle, precision-built version. This new design is more efficient, safer, and better suited for real-world use—especially in off-grid or mobile setups where every watt matters.
Final Word
The OGO™ ORIGIN timer may be small, but it’s a major part of what makes the system work—automatically, safely, and efficiently.
One press. One perfect cycle. Protected power and cleaner composting, every time.