Welcome to Compai!  We hope you will love your Founder’s Edition Smart Home Compost device and app as much as we do.  Let’s get started!

Overview:  There are four steps required to get everything working:

Step A:  Install the TestFlight and Compai apps on your iPhone or iPad device*.

Step B:  Create your account in the Compai app

Step C:  Set up your Compai Smart Home Compost sensor device

Step D:  Physically install your Compai Smart Home Compost sensor device in your compost bin

Step A:  Install the TestFlight and Compai apps on your iPhone or iPad device*:

1.  In the Apple App Store, search for the app “TestFlight”.  This is a trusted app from Apple Computer that is used by early-stage companies for early release of their apps.

  TestFlight app

2.  Once you have Testflight installed, click on this link to install the Compai app 

  Compai app

*Compai currently does not support Android devices.

Step B:  Create your account in the Compai app:

  1. Click to open your Compai app.

  2. The first time you open the app, you will be prompted to create an account (bottom of the login page)

  3. Enter your DeviceID, which can be found on the bottom of the Sensor device.

  4. You will then receive an email to activate your account, click on the link and your Compai app will be fully set up

Note: If you have already created an account on your Compai app:

    1. Open the Compai app and click on the settings (gear icon) in the lower right.

    2. Once on the Settings screen, click “Profile”

On the Profile screen, enter your DeviceID, which can be found on the side surface of the Sensor device.

Step C:  Set up your Compai Smart Home Compost sensor device  After you have successfully created your account in the Compai app in Step B, you will need:

-       Your sensor device

-       Your iPhone or iPad

-       Your home Wi-Fi network name and password.

This process first connects your phone to the WiFi signal that the Compai device itself broadcasts, and then connects the Compai device to your home WiFi network:

  1.  Pick your compost location: Your Compai device needs a strong WiFi connection, with at least three bars of WiFi signal strength. It also needs at least a few hours of sun each day. Go to where you plan to locate your compost bin. Look back to your home, and think about where your WiFi antenna is inside your home (if you are not sure, it is likely next to or part of your cable modem).  You should have a clear line of sight between the compost bin and your Wifi antenna.

  2. On your iPhone, open the Settings app and click on Wi-Fi.

3. At or near the location of your compost bin, find the black button on your Compai device

4. Press and hold the black button until the Wi-Fi network CompaiDevice appears (around 15 seconds).

5. Click on the CompaiDevice to connect your iPhone or iPad to your Compai device

6. After a few seconds (could take up to a minute), the Wifi Connection Portal will appear on your iPhone or iPad. Once it appears, click “Configure WiFi”

7. Find your home Wi-Fi and click on it***.  Then enter your home Wi-Fi password in the “Password” box, and click “Save”

8. When the screen below is shown, exit by swiping up or clicking cancel

9. Press and quickly release the black button on the Compai device (do NOT hold the button down)

10. Open the Compai app on your iPhone or iPad.

11. From the Compai home screen, select the Data History.

12. Check if a reading has been taken within the last few minutes.  If yes, SUCCESS - you have connected your Compai device to your Compai app.

13. If a reading does not appear within 3 minutes, retry the connection process starting at Step 2.

Step D:  Physically install your Compai Smart Home Compost sensor device in your compost bin:  Compai has been designed for and tested with a wide range of home and community compost bins.  That said, every setup is a little different.  Follow the guidelines that are most similar to your specific compost setup.  Remember that Compai is solar powered and needs at least a few hours of direct sun each day.  If you are unsure, please send us a note at support@compai.co and include pictures of your specific setup, and we’ll get back to you with advice for your specific situation:

If you have a standing square or round standing compost bin:  You can thread the cables for the moisture and temperature sensor through an air hole, or through a gap in the lid as long as the cables are not pinched.  Gently tuck both sensors into the composting material, ideally towards the center of the bin where the composting is most active.  Locate the device on the lid or somewhere nearby, facing the solar panel towards the sun.  Optional: Use the provided screws to attach the device to the lid.

If you have a compost tumbler:  Ideally the sensors will be in the bottom of the bin so they are covered with compost to give an accurate reading of the conditions, while the device box is at the top, facing the sun.  You can thread the cables for the moisture and temperature sensor through an existing air hole, or through a gap lid as long as the cables are not pinched. If neither of these are options, you might need to use a drill to create a new hole or enlarge existing holes. Push the sensors through the hole, keeping most of the cable outside the bin so that it doesn’t get tangled up inside during tumbling.. You may optionally use the provided screw(s) to attach the device to the composter so that the Compai device can rotate with the tumbling bin – in this case, set the device on the tumbling composter, facing the solar panel towards the sun with the cables stretched out so they will not get tangled on the axle.

If you have a simple pile:  Similar to a standing compost bin, gently tuck both sensors into the composting material, ideally towards the center of the pile. The device should  be mounted on a wooden post, nearby fence, or other surface, keeping in mind to face the solar panel towards the sun.

A few words about safety:

We hope that you and your family enjoy your Compai Smart Home Composting system.  The Compai smart sensor device is not a toy, however, and contains small parts not suitable for young children.  Please keep out of the reach of young children and use it as a part of a supervised family activity.

While your Compai device has been developed for and tested in outdoor environments, we do not recommend leaving it inside a hot car or in sub-freezing conditions for extended periods.  During winter months we recommend bringing your Compai device into a heated space.

 

***Troubleshooting:  If you are not able to connect to your home Wifi in step 7, try these steps.

●     First, click the “Refresh” button on the Compai Device Connect screen and see if it appears.

●     Second, restart Step C: Smart Home Compost device set-up.

●     If your home Wifi network still doesn’t appear as an option, you may need to relocate your compost bin closer to your home WiFi (or to a location where it has an unobstructed line of sight).  You can test potential alternate locations with the Compai device before you relocate the compost bin.

●     Confirm that your Wifi network does not require multiple steps of authentication (like at a hotel or other public Wifi spot).  These types of networks are unfortunately not supported.

●     If you have completed these steps and are not able to find your home Wifi network, try these additional suggestions:

○     Confirm that your iPhone or iPad is connected to your home Wifi to verify that the Wifi is working and that the signal reaches the location of your compost bin.

○     Reset your home Wifi

○     Temporarily bring your Compai device inside your home and follow instructions in Step C: Smart Home Compost device set-up while standing immediately next to your home Wifi to verify that it can connect when distance or obstructions are not a factor.

○     If none of these steps work, please contact us at support@compai.co