Combox Router to Router?

stmar
stmar Solar Expert Posts: 373 ✭✭✭
in Grid Tie and Grid Interactive Systems #1
I am not a techie, that ship left me behind years ago. To get a cable from my SW to my main router would be a hassle, not impossible but difficult. Has anyone set up an additional router in their mechanical room, cabled the Combox to that router and then that router talks to the main router wireless? I am sure there are certain protocols involved.
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  • Estragon
    Estragon Registered Users Posts: 4,496 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #2
    I have my Midnite classic charge controllers connected with hardwiredwired ethernet to an old linksys router in the crawlspace. The router operates in "bridge mode" which uses wifi to bridge connect to a hotspot/router in the house. If your main router is within wifi range of the combox, the same idea might work for you.
    Off-grid.  
    Main daytime system ~4kw panels into 2xMNClassic150 370ah 48v bank 2xOutback 3548 inverter 120v + 240v autotransformer
    Night system ~1kw panels into 1xMNClassic150 700ah 12v bank morningstar 300w inverter
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  • Estragon
    Estragon Registered Users Posts: 4,496 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #3
    In my case, I had the old linksys on hand anyway, so reflashing it with open source firmware with the bridging function was cheap (free). Some routers can do this out of the box.
    Off-grid.  
    Main daytime system ~4kw panels into 2xMNClassic150 370ah 48v bank 2xOutback 3548 inverter 120v + 240v autotransformer
    Night system ~1kw panels into 1xMNClassic150 700ah 12v bank morningstar 300w inverter
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  • Raj174
    Raj174 Solar Expert Posts: 795 ✭✭✭✭
    #4
    That's the way I have my equipment room connected to the main router also. I use a TP-link TL-WA801ND router in client mode.
    I have attached the manual, it describes the setup. Take a look. It's not difficult if you follow the guide.

    Rick


    4480W PV, MNE175DR-TR, MN Classic 150, Outback Radian GS4048A, Mate3, 51.2V 360AH nominal LiFePO4, Kohler Pro 5.2E genset.
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  • stmar
    stmar Solar Expert Posts: 373 ✭✭✭
    #5
    Thanks for the input, I thought it might be possible and since I have a couple of spare routers laying around I asked the question. The routers I have are an older Linksys and a small D-Link. I used the Linksys for years as my main router, very stable, inherited the D-Link and tried it out, newer protocol but very unstable. Current router is a NetGear, no issues and powerful and stable. I think I will brush up on getting them to talk to each other, have a tech friend that could help maybe, and then decide on the Combox. The SCP is working okay but it would be nice to see so much more data.
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  • Estragon
    Estragon Registered Users Posts: 4,496 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #6
    You may want to check if there's DD-WRT firmware support for the linksys:
    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/DD-WRT

    If not, there are other firmware alternatives (eg. Tomato) that might do the job.
    Off-grid.  
    Main daytime system ~4kw panels into 2xMNClassic150 370ah 48v bank 2xOutback 3548 inverter 120v + 240v autotransformer
    Night system ~1kw panels into 1xMNClassic150 700ah 12v bank morningstar 300w inverter
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  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #7
    i use a high power Alpha router in the battery shed, and a high power USB alpha wi-fi dongle on the laptop and get 400' range to monitor the battery shed - do I really need to go start the generator in this downpour ?
    Powerfab top of pole PV mount | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
    || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
    || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

    solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
    gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister ,

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  • stmar
    stmar Solar Expert Posts: 373 ✭✭✭
    #8
    The Linksys is DD-WRT compatible so I have been digesting info and watching YouTube vids. Now to get some time and nerve to tackle that project and test before I decide on the Combox. Thanks for the directions. 
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  • stmar
    stmar Solar Expert Posts: 373 ✭✭✭
    #9
    I have a cheap D-Link that I may practice with before I potentially "brick" (new term for me) my Linksys. I also wonder about using an old laptop that is wireless capable as the client, but then I would have to have it on 24/7 so would be more of a waste than the old router.
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  • stmar
    stmar Solar Expert Posts: 373 ✭✭✭
    #10
    Well scrap that idea about practicing on the cheapo D-Link, it is not supported in DD WRT nor in Tomato.
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  • Estragon
    Estragon Registered Users Posts: 4,496 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #11
    IMHO, providing you follow instructions specific to your router carefully, and make sure there's little/no risk of a power outage, the odds of bricking the router are fairly low.
    Off-grid.  
    Main daytime system ~4kw panels into 2xMNClassic150 370ah 48v bank 2xOutback 3548 inverter 120v + 240v autotransformer
    Night system ~1kw panels into 1xMNClassic150 700ah 12v bank morningstar 300w inverter
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  • cow_rancher
    cow_rancher Solar Expert Posts: 117 ✭✭✭✭
    #12
    I've flashed several Linksys routers, probably about 10, only bricked one, and there are instructions on how to un-brick them, and it does work.

    Rancher
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  • stmar
    stmar Solar Expert Posts: 373 ✭✭✭
    edited August 2018 #13
    I think I got it, connected to the internet with the Linksys plugged into the LAN port. The flash part was okay, had a few redos but doing a hard reset, 30 30 30, got it back to step one. No security, I live in the sticks, so a couple of times I didn't know what to put in but in the end it worked. Thanks for the input and direction, never heard of DD-WRT before this and it is a neat deal, probably more capabilities than I realize. I ended up using the "Client" mode.
    Scratch that. After talking to a forum member went to "Client Bridge". A few more settings changes but not difficult.
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  • cow_rancher
    cow_rancher Solar Expert Posts: 117 ✭✭✭✭
    #14
    I went to DD-WRT because it allows you to increase the power output of the radio, I settled on 71 mW, although I think it goes up to 200, lots to read on the in's and out's of DD-WRT, more power gives you more distortion.  I never did get several set up in a mesh network like I wanted to do.

    Rancher 
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  • stmar
    stmar Solar Expert Posts: 373 ✭✭✭
    #15
    Did you get any set up, router to router wirelessly? If so what protocol did you use, Client or Client Bridge?
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  • cow_rancher
    cow_rancher Solar Expert Posts: 117 ✭✭✭✭
    #16
    I believe there was a choice called Bridge Repeater, I no longer have it set up and I have not flashed the new 802.11ac routers...yet.

    Rancher
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