OtO Lawn

Start here: How to set up the OtO device

Just got your OtO? Start here for a quick overview on how to get set up quickly.

We designed OtO to be very easy to set up and use. The following article outlines how to get started quickly and where to find more information when you need it. All of this is included in the app and Quick Start Guide as well.

What's in the box?

Inside each OtO box, you’ll find:

  • An OtO unit
  • A steel mounting bracket with wood screws and thumb screws
  • A quick start guide (In case you need a digital copy, download a PDF version at the bottom of this article)
  • A power adapter with a 50-foot cable (💡found inside your device)  

What you'll need: 

  • The OtO Lawn app installed on your phone (Android or iPhone)
  • High-quality GHT hose with brass fittings (use 3/4" ID for best reach)
  • 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi
  • Water pressure of 50 PSI or more

Optional:

  • A drill and level (if you’re mounting on a fence or wall)
  • A lock and chain
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💡What does the LED mean? Read here.


Step 1: Charge OtO Overnight

  • Before setting up your brand new OtO unit, make sure it's starting from a full battery by plugging it in and charging it for about 8 hours or overnight.
  • Every OtO comes with a 50-foot power adapter that can be found inside under the solar panel lid.

Step 2: Place OtO

Place your device somewhere that:

  • Is not blocked by furniture, plants or other obstacles
  • Is within reach of your home's 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi signal
  • If using the solar panel: Has 3 or more hours of direct sunlight; OR
  • If using the power cable: Is within 50 feet of your power outlet

💡Check out our Placement Guide for tips on where to put OtO.


Step 3: Pair device

  • Download the OtO app from your app store (available on the Apple App Store or Google Play store)
  • Follow the on-screen instructions to connect OtO to your phone's Bluetooth, then your home's Wi-Fi
  • Complete the installation using the on-screen instructions

💡Make sure your phone's Bluetooth is ON. OtO can only be used with 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi. Read this article for more Wi-Fi troubleshooting tips.


Step 4: Connect to your hose

Connect your hose to OtO. 

  • Only use brass or plastic fittings. Other metals can permanently meld to OtO
  • Use only a high-quality rubber hose. Do not use expandable hoses
  • To maximize OtO's reach, use as short of a hose as possible (ideally 50 feet long or less) and as wide of a hose as possible (5/8" or 3/4" inner diameter)
  • Ensure the hose is completely uncoiled and does not have any kinks
  • Open the water spigot ALL the way

💡Read this article for tips on what hose to use with OtO for best results.

⚠️ Caution: Pressurized hose may burst in high heat. Do not leave your hose pressurized and exposed to the sun. In order to keep your drinking water safe from contamination, the faucet that OtO will be connected to needs protection from the possibility of water flowing backward. Commonly known as a backflow device, government regulations specify what type of backflow device is required to adequately prevent water from flowing backward when a device such as OtO is connected to the water supply. Since the type of backflow device and maintenance schedule required by regulation varies at the city level, OtO is not responsible for damage or harm caused by not installing and maintaining the appropriate backflow device for your area.


Step 5: Secure device

Now that your device is fully charged, connected to Wi-Fi and water, you should secure it to the provided steel bracket. This will prevent it from falling and ensure the zones stay accurate.

There are two ways to mount the device: on a wall or in the ground.

Option 1: Wall Installation

 

  1. Position the Bracket: Hold the bracket against the fence or wall at the desired height (no higher than 3-4 feet to avoid wind issues). 
  2. Drill in Place: Secure the bracket using the four wood screws provided.
  3. Attach OtO: Screw the thumb screws into the bracket up from underneath to fix the OtO unit in place.

📝 Note: A higher position can extend OtO's reach and avoid obstacles, but keep it within 3-4 feet above the ground to ensure the wind doesn't interfere with the water's path.

Option 2: Ground Installation

  1. Insert the Bracket: Push the mounting bracket straight down into the ground until it's even with the ground. 
    1. For sandy soil, secure the bracket to a piece of wood first. 
    2. Use a rubber hammer if necessary.
  2. Attach Thumb Screws: Fasten the thumb screws to the bottom of the OtO unit.
  3. Lock in the 'Feet': Press the device down onto the bracket until you hear all four 'feet' click firmly into place.

 

🎥 Optional: Watch our video installation guide below

 

Lock OtO (Optional):

For added security, you can lock your device to a permanent structure by attaching a light chain and padlock to the steel loop at the bottom of the unit.


Step 6: Set zone boundaries

OtO waters exactly where you want in any shape. It can water in 360 degrees and from about 1 foot to up to 40 feet (depending on your hose setup and water pressure). Here's how to start setting your zone boundaries once your device is ready.

  1. In the app, click on the device you would to add a zone to.
  2. Tap "Add new zone" or the plus symbol beside "Zones".
  3. Name the zone.
  4. Select the type of zone from three options:
    1. Area: OtO will zig zag to water ever inch with an even amount of water.
    2. Line: OtO will water along the line, which can curve.
    3. Spot: OtO will water each point individually.
  5. Turn OtO's switch to connect it to your phone's Bluetooth.
  6. Turn the water ON using the toggle.
  7. Use the arrow keys to move OtO's nozzle to aim the stream.
  8. Set the points according to the zone type:
    1. Area: Set points around the perimeter of your zone. Only set points on the curves. 
    2. Line: Set points along the line of plants you want to water. Only set points at the beginning, end, and curves of the line.
    3. Spot: Set a point at each 'spot' you want to water. Multiple spots can be set within a single 'zone'.
  9. Click Save.
  10. RUN A DEMO: Check that the zone boundaries are to your liking by tapping "Water now" > "Quick Demo". OtO will lightly water the zone you've created.

💡Important tips:

  • Always draw your zone boundary points in order (don't skip around to the other side of the zone)
  • Start by pressing and holding the 'up' arrow until you get the "max reach" message in the app. This tells you the max distance that your OtO can reach based on your water pressure. If your Max Distance isn't what you expected, read this troubleshooting article.
  • The first time you turn on OtO it may 'sputter'. This is normal and just means air is coming out of the hose.

☝️We recommend setting up your zones on a calm day or early in the morning when winds are lowest. Setting up when there are high winds may make your zone boundaries less accurate.

⭐For more tips on how to set and edit zone boundaries, read this article.


Step 7: Customize your schedule (optional)

OtO was designed to be ready to use out of the box and once you've secured it to the bracket and set your zone boundaries, it does not require any further customization. Each zone you create will water by default at around 6:00AM, three times per week.

That said, you can completely customize your watering schedule, water amounts, and weather intelligence settings at any time from within the app.

In the zone page, you can:

💡If you would like to water the same zone multiple times per day, duplicate the zone and change the copied zone's schedule.


Further Reading

By now you've gotten your device all set-up! Here are some additional tips and recommendations from our team.

Adding More Devices

  • Simply add more devices to your account in the same way you set up your first
  • To maximize reach, ensure all devices are running on different schedules (they should not water at the same time)

Daily Maintenance

  • Keep the solar panel clean by wiping it regularly with a damp cloth, avoid using harsh chemicals
  • Keep OtO's power plug capped and tucked inside when not in use to prevent it from getting wet

Seasonal Maintenance

  • Drain OtO of water and take it inside in the fall when temperatures start to freeze (the app will remind you)
  • Store OtO in Winter Mode to keep the battery healthy
  • Store OtO somewhere that does not go below freezing (such as a basement)

Video Tutorial

Watch this video for step-by-step instructions on how to set up your OtO device quickly and effectively.

 

Need more support?

We're here to help! Email care@otolawn.com, tap "Submit an Issue" through the OtO Lawn app, or call us at +1 833-473-3617 between 10:00AM - 7:00PM EST any day of the week.

 

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