WiFi Ranger

[Reevesfamily]

Originally Posted by docj

It is possible, but not likely, that the Ranger was set to not broadcast an SSID, but the new board you installed should have set things back to default, I would think.

Unfortunately, with a Sky, there's no easy way to make an Ethernet connection to the device. There's clearly something set wrong but I can't figure out what it is.

Since your RV is new, let the dealer figure out what the problem is. He claimed that the Ranger was working, let him prove it.

Yep. If it doesn’t broadcast an SSID how could I possibly connect to it? I tried typing in the internet address of the unit but it wasn’t found.

[docj]

Originally Posted by Reevesfamily

Yep. If it doesn’t broadcast an SSID how could I possibly connect to it? I tried typing in the internet address of the unit but it wasn’t found.

If you use an app such as WiFiMan on your phone you'd see all the SSIDs in the area, including "hidden" SSIDs. It might be interesting to see if somehow the Ranger was accidentally set to hide its SSID. You can connect to a hidden SSID but you have to know its exact name.

[tuffr2]

Is the problem trying to use a iPhone and not an Android phone to find the SSID?

Now serious - anytime I have internet problems most of the time it turns out to be something simple.

1. Is there a sequence that things need to be cycled?

2. Are all connections good?

3. You are proficient with internet stuff but once the Dealer shows you how it works you know the secret.

[docj]

Originally Posted by tuffr2

Is the problem trying to use a iPhone and not an Android phone to find the SSID?

Now serious - anytime I have internet problems most of the time it turns out to be something simple.

1. Is there a sequence that things need to be cycled?

2. Are all connections good?

3. You are proficient with internet stuff but once the Dealer shows you how it works you know the secret.

Add to the list of possible reasons, there's the chance that the OP is using a device that is looking for a 5 GHz SSID when his Ranger is only capable of broadcasting at 2.4 GHz.

It is possible to restrict laptops and other devices to one WiFi band or the other although there's normally no reason to do so. However, it's always possible that the OP did this at some time in the past and hadn't realized that the WiFiRanger Sky only is capable of operating on the 2.4 GHz band.

[jpsabo]

Originally Posted by Reevesfamily

Contacted WiFi Ranger today and by the end of the day they have shipped me a replacement. I took pictures of the roof unit with my multimeter showing it had power, a picture of the outside case of the roof unit, and a copy of my bill of sale proving a new TT. No questions asked. Will post once I receive the new board and install to update, but at this point pretty ecstatic about the response. Very professional.

Do you have a point of contact at WiFi Ranger? We have a similar problem with a WiFi Ranger Sky4 DC installed on our Coachmen Galleria (purchased just last month).

In the Galleria, there is a labeled rocker switch in the electronics cabinet. When this switch is ‘on’, there is no green light visible from the WiFi ranger. I pulled the rocker switch from the panel and confirmed that there is power at its connections. However, there does not appear to be an in-line fuse installed near this switch. Coachmen confirmed that the WiFi Ranger shares a 12V power line and is not on a separate circuit in the fuse panel (and all 12V circuits there are okay with intact fuses).

Thanks!

[docj]

Originally Posted by jpsabo

Do you have a point of contact at WiFi Ranger? We have a similar problem with a WiFi Ranger Sky4 DC installed on our Coachmen Galleria (purchased just last month).

In the Galleria, there is a labeled rocker switch in the electronics cabinet. When this switch is ‘on’, there is no green light visible from the WiFi ranger. I pulled the rocker switch from the panel and confirmed that there is power at its connections. However, there does not appear to be an in-line fuse installed near this switch. Coachmen confirmed that the WiFi Ranger shares a 12V power line and is not on a separate circuit in the fuse panel (and all 12V circuits there are okay with intact fuses).

Thanks!

Normally the light is on if there is any power at the device. If you are sure there is voltage at the device but no light please contact WiFiRanger customer support.

[jpsabo]

Originally Posted by docj

Normally the light is on if there is any power at the device. If you are sure there is voltage at the device but no light please contact WiFiRanger customer support.

I don’t see the green light at all...I’ve checked during the day and at night. And I don’t see any network indicating the WiFi Ranger is available for connection on my iPhone either.

Is telephone the only contact for WiFi Ranger? Any Customer Support email address?

WiFiRanger 2010-2019
943 W Overland Rd
Meridian, Idaho 83642
208-321-5544

[docj]

Go to WiFiRanger.com/support/create support ticket

Originally Posted by jpsabo

I don’t see the green light at all...I’ve checked during the day and at night. And I don’t see any network indicating the WiFi Ranger is available for connection on my iPhone either.

Is telephone the only contact for WiFi Ranger? Any Customer Support email address?

WiFiRanger 2010-2019
943 W Overland Rd
Meridian, Idaho 83642
208-321-5544

[Reevesfamily]

Originally Posted by docj

If you use an app such as WiFiMan on your phone you'd see all the SSIDs in the area, including "hidden" SSIDs. It might be interesting to see if somehow the Ranger was accidentally set to hide its SSID. You can connect to a hidden SSID but you have to know its exact name.

Typed in the exact name as I know it from the documentation with the new unit. Nothing. Can't find it. Interesting that the one shipped with the new camper has the same issue as the replacement. If this system is this problematic and tempermental, with hidden SSID or other strange "issue", how can I be assured it is something useful for me? Guess I'll know more after the dealer proves to me it works there and I also prove it works back home. Feel like I'm better off with my hotspot, at least as long as I'm within my cell network where I'm unlimited. At least this came with the new camper and I didn't go out and buy one outright. Appreciate the helpful advice everyone, especially DocJ and I will post results as I know them.

[docj]

Originally Posted by Reevesfamily

....how can I be assured it is something useful for me?

All I can say is that we have more than 100,000 Rangers in use in RVs in the US. They work well (and easily) for most owners. I'm totally at a loss as to what's wrong with yours, but I'm confident that the answer will some something easy to resolve. I think there's something simple wrong that none of us have spotted.

I will ask one additional question and that is to verify that you are using a device to connect to the Ranger that you know is capable of operating using the 2.4GHz WiFi band? Even though this is the most common WiFi band, there's always the possibility that your phone (or laptop) have been setup using the 5.8 GHz band and, for some reason, have 2.4GHz turned off. I realize this is unlikely, but I thought it was worth asking. The Sky is only capable of operation on the 2.4GHz band.

Joel (AKA docj)

[jk510]

I was hopping to see a conclusion to this issue.
I am helping a friend with a Flagstgaff 526rlws that is having this same issue. I'm not sure if it has ever worked or if he has ever tired before. the issue is the same as what is being discussed here. The switch is on the green light at the rooftop unit is on but there is no SSID being broadcast. I'm checking with my cell phone and I am seeing many other networks around us, just not his.
Any ideas?

[docj]

Originally Posted by jk510

I was hopping to see a conclusion to this issue.
I am helping a friend with a Flagstgaff 526rlws that is having this same issue. I'm not sure if it has ever worked or if he has ever tired before. the issue is the same as what is being discussed here. The switch is on the green light at the rooftop unit is on but there is no SSID being broadcast. I'm checking with my cell phone and I am seeing many other networks around us, just not his.
Any ideas?

If the green light is on but there is no SSID being broadcast, the first thing I would do is a factory reset following the procedures here: https://wifiranger.com/wp-content/up...ults_Rev11.pdf

If this doesn't work then the most likely situation is a bad board. Contact WiFiRanger Customer Service to get a replacement. The cost will depend on whether or not the device is under warranty.

Joel (AKA docj)

[jk510]

Thanks Joel. I give that a try tomorrow, it's getting dark now.