Wifi Ranger problem

[mtflybox]

Can't get through to tech support so maybe on of you, or docj has an idea. BTW, their new ranger VRU dude in super annoying. Just put me on a call back list...

Anyways, been using the device for a year now with no problems with a pre-paid ATT card. Especially helpful to use myrozie on the coach to watch battery levels, trucks parking too close etc while in a secure lot at Freightliner I keep the unit in up north. Not plugged in, chassis and coach batteries off. Solar keeps everything topped off. Doesn't use many amps so works fine for what I need it to do.

Yesterday something happened because myrozie showed no data.

I drove over to the coach earlier today, logged into the Ranger Control panel but there is no option for cellular now, which is how the thing connects. Crawled up on the roof, made sure the sim card was seated, unplugged and replugged the ethernet, unplugged the same cable on the back of the router and rebooted. No change.

All I get when I look at the control panel is the following "Not plugged In" message.

I did follow the Newmar procedure last month to change the passwords for myRozie access but can't imagine that has anything to do with this.

Any ideas?

[Mark3101]

Get a real, up to date system and throw the ranger in the dumpster. That is what I did and I have no regrets. It is crap and they know it. Got a Pepwave 5g system and it is flawless.

If you don't want to do that, did you unplug power at the router and reconnect it after about 10 seconds? Not the ethernet, the power?

[wolfgolden]

Sometimes cleaning the sim card contacts with isopropyl alcohol (91+ %) helps.

If you have access to clean the contacts on the sim holder do that too.

[truk4u]

Hmm let’s see, climb up on the roof, remove all the silicone, remove the Denali to access the SIM card, check card, reinsert, install Denali back on base, clean all silicone, reapply new silicone and climb back off of roof. Gotta be a better way.

[mtflybox]

Originally Posted by Mark3101

Get a real, up to date system and throw the ranger in the dumpster. That is what I did and I have no regrets. It is crap and they know it. Got a Pepwave 5g system and it is flawless.

If you don't want to do that, did you unplug power at the router and reconnect it after about 10 seconds? Not the ethernet, the power?

Did you incorporate a roof mounted antenna?

[mtflybox]

Originally Posted by truk4u

Hmm let’s see, climb up on the roof, remove all the silicone, remove the Denali to access the SIM card, check card, reinsert, install Denali back on base, clean all silicone, reapply new silicone and climb back off of roof. Gotta be a better way.

Not how I'd prefer to spend my afternoon.

[Mark3101]

Originally Posted by mtflybox

Did you incorporate a roof mounted antenna?

Not as of yet. I have not had any issues so far with reception of the cellular signal. It is easy to do if you want to run cables and do it, but I don't think it will be needed for where we tend to go.

[mtflybox]

Originally Posted by Mark3101

Not as of yet. I have not had any issues so far with reception of the cellular signal. It is easy to do if you want to run cables and do it, but I don't think it will be needed for where we tend to go.

Thanks Mark since I'm going to need to do something.

[mtflybox]

Mystery solved, sadly for me since this is a 2021 Newmar.

After finally getting to the right tech people at ATT the IMEI is no longer valid. They have been rolling through turning off 3G devices so if you have a Skypro device be prepared.

Guess I have to go shopping, but I need something with low amp draw since I keep it on when I'm not on shore power.

[truk4u]

Mark, all the frustrations I went through, such fun on the roof, I finally went to my local AT&T and picked up a new 5G sim and then signed up online with AT&T Prepaid for 55.00 a month for 100g. Never talked to anyone, all done online. This was suggested by Doc and mine is working fine so far. I have the WiFi Ranger Spruce Denali setup. If it all craps out, I’ll switch to Pepwave as Mark M has done. 2022 4369

[mtflybox]

I'm waiting to see if Newmar will treat this as a warranty item.

Otherwise, for my uses I will probably just get a Pepwave Mini for the time being and not mess with the roof unit.

[dizcom]

Another reason to ditch the wifi ranger at the earliest opportunity. As others have said, they're not very well made and way overpriced for what you get. Replaced ours earlier this year and have no regrets (and great internet in our coach now).

[docj]

Originally Posted by mtflybox

Can't get through to tech support so maybe on of you, or docj has an idea. BTW, their new ranger VRU dude in super annoying. Just put me on a call back list...

Anyways, been using the device for a year now with no problems with a pre-paid ATT card. Especially helpful to use myrozie on the coach to watch battery levels, trucks parking too close etc while in a secure lot at Freightliner I keep the unit in up north. Not plugged in, chassis and coach batteries off. Solar keeps everything topped off. Doesn't use many amps so works fine for what I need it to do.

Yesterday something happened because myrozie showed no data.

I drove over to the coach earlier today, logged into the Ranger Control panel but there is no option for cellular now, which is how the thing connects. Crawled up on the roof, made sure the sim card was seated, unplugged and replugged the ethernet, unplugged the same cable on the back of the router and rebooted. No change.

All I get when I look at the control panel is the following "Not plugged In" message.

I did follow the Newmar procedure last month to change the passwords for myRozie access but can't imagine that has anything to do with this.

Any ideas?

Sorry I was slow to respond to your post. There can be a number of reasons for the "Not Plugged In" message. The first thing I would try doesn't require you to get on the roof; in fact all you need to do is click on the Reset button on the Setup page of the Ranger's control panel. That's what I would do first.

After the Reset go to the Setup page to see if the modem is being seen. Find the line labeled WFRControl and click on the gear at the right side of the line. A window will expand. In that window you should see the IMEI and the ICCID (the SIM number).

An additional step you can take is to download the recently released firmware update (version 7.1.0b12). There are a number of bug fixes and other improvements. I can't say for sure that it will impact your situation but it is definitely something to do sooner rather than later.

If you can't resolve the problem, please open a support ticket with WiFiRanger by sending an email to support@wifiranger.com

[Tedj101]

So what did you get to replace it?