Cannot Connect Charge Station Pro to Home Wi-Fi - Is That OK?

[FirstF150InCasco]

I cannot connect my Charge Station Pro to my Home Wi-Fi. The Charge Station Pro is simply to far from my house. Questions are:

1. Lost Functionality: What functionality do I lose? (I'm not interested in Intelligent Backup Power; what other functionalilty do I lose?)
2. Software Updates: How will I get software updates to the CSP?
3. Hot Spot: I was not planning to sign up for the service to turn my F150 into a hot spot. But should I sign up for a hot spot (which, of couse WOULD be close enough to the CSP, since it's the truck!!) so that the CSP can connect to the internet through my truck?

Thank you so much.

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[LightningMcqueen]

You don’t loose much. It still works. i think you pointed out the biggest negative is the software update. But you know your phone could be a hot spot too when needed.

 

[Griddlez]

I cannot connect my Charge Station Pro to my Home Wi-Fi. The Charge Station Pro is simply to far from my house. Questions are:

1. Lost Functionality: What functionality do I lose? (I'm not interested in Intelligent Backup Power; what other functionalilty do I lose?)
2. Software Updates: How will I get software updates to the CSP?
3. Hot Spot: I was not planning to sign up for the service to turn my F150 into a hot spot. But should I sign up for a hot spot (which, of couse WOULD be close enough to the CSP, since it's the truck!!) so that the CSP can connect to the internet through my truck?

Thank you so much.

1) I think you lose all the online features like not being able to see how a charge is going from your phone. You also will not be able to adjust the charge (amps) rate via your phone. The only way you'll be able to do that is via the switch inside the unit. Charging should work fine otherwise.

2) I am not aware of anyone getting software updates yet. However, I would expect you would need it on wifi. Yes. You will not be able to update I imagine if you are not on wifi.

3) The wifi hotspot in your truck only works if it is running. Since no one is aware of how a software update works right now.. theres no way to know if you could simply connect it to your wifi on your truck, get an update real fast, and then turn you truck off. Can't say right now.

 

[Mr. Flibble]

I cannot connect my Charge Station Pro to my Home Wi-Fi. The Charge Station Pro is simply to far from my house.

Side question, is it worth it to you to get WiFi out to where you charge? May be worth it to you - may not be. There are lots of options for making that happen if you really need it. I am enough of a nerd that I got 300 feet of armored fiber-optic cable to go from our house to the shop. I installed an Access Point, and now most of the yard has WiFi coverage.

 

[FirstF150InCasco]

1) I think you lose all the online features like not being able to see how a charge is going from your phone. You also will not be able to adjust the charge (amps) rate via your phone. The only way you'll be able to do that is via the switch inside the unit. Charging should work fine otherwise.

2) I am not aware of anyone getting software updates yet. However, I would expect you would need it on wifi. Yes. You will not be able to update I imagine if you are not on wifi.

3) The wifi hotspot in your truck only works if it is running. Since no one is aware of how a software update works right now.. theres no way to know if you could simply connect it to your wifi on your truck, get an update real fast, and then turn you truck off. Can't say right now.

Thank you so much. A GREAT response. Much appreciated.

 

[metroshot]

Side question, is it worth it to you to get WiFi out to where you charge? May be worth it to you - may not be. There are lots of options for making that happen if you really need it. I am enough of a nerd that I got 300 feet of armored fiber-optic cable to go from our house to the shop. I installed an Access Point, and now most of the yard has WiFi coverage.

Very good idea.

At our workplace, we use exterior WiFI access points for people to do work outside.

It's a weatherproof WAP (AC/AX) on a light pole and is connected from POE switch to our router/switch located hundreds of feet away....

 

[PiMatrix]

I cannot connect my Charge Station Pro to my Home Wi-Fi. The Charge Station Pro is simply to far from my house. Questions are:

1. Lost Functionality: What functionality do I lose? (I'm not interested in Intelligent Backup Power; what other functionalilty do I lose?)
2. Software Updates: How will I get software updates to the CSP?
3. Hot Spot: I was not planning to sign up for the service to turn my F150 into a hot spot. But should I sign up for a hot spot (which, of couse WOULD be close enough to the CSP, since it's the truck!!) so that the CSP can connect to the internet through my truck?

Thank you so much.

I would just recommend an inexpensive range extender from your home. The new ones can go very long distances, e.g. 1000 ft and work quite well. Here is one model but there are many on the market. This is how I would do it so you get full functionality.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07V7MBFJ8

If the distance is less or line of sight you can use a lower power model. Of course it's nice to be able to monitor things from anywhere.

 

[FirstF150InCasco]

@PiMatrix Great advice. Thank you!!

 

[FlasherZ]

These will do up to 300m with direct line-of-sight, but any walls or other obstructions will really limit them. I use extenders in this way, although I use a pair of them to create a point-to-point link between buildings and have another wireless access point inside the machine shed to create the local network. Try his suggestion first, then there are even bigger solutions you can use.

Unfortunately, my favorite choice was discontinued a number of years ago - Ubiquiti sold a 900 MHz wireless ethernet bridge that you didn't have to mount outside. I have one unit in my basement, and one inside my machine shed 100 feet away, and the 900 MHz signal can plow through the obstructions that 2.4 GHz can't (brick facades, basement walls, etc.) It eliminated the unsightly antennas on my exterior walls. Unfortunately, 900 MHz ethernet radios are dying because the available wavelength in the ISM spectrum limits the use to well less than 1 Gbps. But it works well for my security cameras, telephones, and other data needs in the machine shop.

 

[PiMatrix]

If you ever replace your house network I really like the product line made by this company - https://www.amplifi.com/

FlasherZ mentioned Ubiquiti, Amplifi is owned by them but little expertise required unlike Ubiquiti. Replaced my Ubiquiti with Amplifi Alien which is a really nice product! But the Instant works equally well for in-home use.

 

[Capertrj]

How far away is the charger to the wifi?

 

[metroshot]

These will do up to 300m with direct line-of-sight, but any walls or other obstructions will really limit them. I use extenders in this way, although I use a pair of them to create a point-to-point link between buildings and have another wireless access point inside the machine shed to create the local network. Try his suggestion first, then there are even bigger solutions you can use.

Unfortunately, my favorite choice was discontinued a number of years ago - Ubiquiti sold a 900 MHz wireless ethernet bridge that you didn't have to mount outside. I have one unit in my basement, and one inside my machine shed 100 feet away, and the 900 MHz signal can plow through the obstructions that 2.4 GHz can't (brick facades, basement walls, etc.) It eliminated the unsightly antennas on my exterior walls. Unfortunately, 900 MHz ethernet radios are dying because the available wavelength in the ISM spectrum limits the use to well less than 1 Gbps. But it works well for my security cameras, telephones, and other data needs in the machine shop.

Ah yes, 900 Mhz was an amazing band to use for distance!

I remember the Panasonic cordless phones that worked on 900 MHz were just stunning in range and penetrating walls.

Wish range extenders, mesh WiFi routers would leverage 900Mhz...

 

[FirstF150InCasco]

How far away is the charger to the wifi?

60 feet.

 

[PiMatrix]

Ah yes, 900 Mhz was an amazing band to use for distance!

I remember the Panasonic cordless phones that worked on 900 MHz were just stunning in range and penetrating walls.

Wish range extenders, mesh WiFi routers would leverage 900Mhz...

60 feet.

60 feet.

Where is your router located compared to garage? Is it possible to locate the router near a window toward garage. Sometimes a different location and you can increase your coverage in house. 60 ft is not so far so likely a wall is blocking the signal to garage. You can use your phone to check wifi signal strength at barn.

 

[FirstF150InCasco]

My CSP is not in a garage. Rather it is up by the road, 60 feet from the house.

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