12v supply for my mifi (wifi). (1 Viewer)

[TinTentTourist]

We like Scotland and have found too many places without any usable signal including TV so we are taking this route... I am putting a Huawei B525 router in my van with a Poynting 4G-XPOL-A0001 Cross Polarised 4G Omni LTE Antenna.

The router has a power brick to step mains voltage down to a 12v 2A suppply. So I don't see why I can't just lop off the plug at the router end and splice the wire into an existing 12 supply, like the one to the existing TV amp/distro box. But since this seems too easy, I was wondering if there is a better way, and if so why?

Thanks in advance.

Martin

 

[DBK]

Providing you get the polarity right I can't see why it wouldn't work.

But unless you need the LAN ports a Huawei 5577 MiFi would do the same job and be physically much smaller. From my experience of another model of LTE router a MiFi will be just as sensitive as a router when using the same external antenna.

 

[denisejoe]

I just went to the local computer guy who has all bits and pieces got him to make up a lead to plug into the router and then put a 12v Stabiliser in line, the lead and stabiliser cost about £20

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[DBK]

I just went to the local computer guy who has all bits and pieces got him to make up a lead to plug into the router and then put a 12v Stabiliser in line, the lead and stabiliser cost about £20

That's a good point about the voltage stabiliser. MH 12 volt supply could be 14.4 volts at times. The router I've got takes 9 to 30 volts so wouldn't be bothered but the Huawei one in the OP may be less tolerant.

 

[denisejoe]

Mine only says 12v 1 amp

 

[TheBig1]

The model you mentioned is not too tolerant of too high a voltage. A stabilised 12v lead is the way to go

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[TinTentTourist]

But unless you need the LAN ports a Huawei 5577 MiFi would do the same job and be physically much smaller. From my experience of another model of LTE router a MiFi will be just as sensitive as a router when using the same external antenna.

This was a early choice as I had seen others using them, but there was conflicting advice from Huawei as to whether the ports were activated on the model sold on Amazon UK. I don't need LAN ports, and to plug into a usb would be easier, but I do want the external aerial option. I do not want to be somewhere wishing I had an external aerial to plug in!
Another look on Amazon shows similar models with higher spec from Huuawei but the model they stated did have ports did not, the one that did, was not an option.... hard work, hence I went for the bigger model where the ports were named as a feature.
Still if you are saying the 5577 will work, I'm happy to give it a try. Usb is easier than finding voltage stabalisers I think!
Thanks for the feedback.

 

[Lenny HB]

Still if you are saying the 5577 will work, I'm happy to give it a try. Usb is easier than finding voltage stabalisers I think!
Thanks for the feedback.

John DBK and myself both use the 5577 with the Poynting MIMO roof mounted aerial. Performance is very good.

 

[TheBig1]

John DBK and myself both use the 5577 with the Poynting MIMO roof mounted aerial. Performance is very good.

Same here and pretty much always get a signal

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[Mikeco]

We are using the HUAWEI 5577 while in Spain with roof mounted puck aerial and works okay.

 

[bigtwin]

We are using the HUAWEI 5577 while in Spain with roof mounted puck aerial and works okay.

Just ‘okay’?

We’ve been using ours and it works well.

Ian

 

[TinTentTourist]

May I clarify which Poynting MIMO aerial you chose to go with your 5577... When I googled it there were several came up and one looks like it's going to be discontinued. Thanks.

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[Lenny HB]

May I clarify which Poynting MIMO aerial you chose to go with your 5577... When I googled it there were several came up and one looks like it's going to be discontinued. Thanks.

Solwise -Poynting MiMO LTE vehicle antenna - A-MIMO-1-1 | Solwise Ltd

solwise.co.uk

 

[TinTentTourist]

Lovely, thank you.

 

[DBK]

We like Scotland and have found too many places without any usable signal including TV so we are taking this route... I am putting a Huawei B525 router in my van with a Poynting 4G-XPOL-A0001 Cross Polarised 4G Omni LTE Antenna.

The router has a power brick to step mains voltage down to a 12v 2A suppply. So I don't see why I can't just lop off the plug at the router end and splice the wire into an existing 12 supply, like the one to the existing TV amp/distro box. But since this seems too easy, I was wondering if there is a better way, and if so why?

Thanks in advance.

Martin

As an aside, if you are going to places where there is no terrestrial TV signal can you be confident there will be a mobile signal?

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[MyrtleGuru]

As far as power supplies go, ebay is a good source of cheap modules.

We use a Huawei 5577. That one needs 5v (USB), so we hardwired something like this:

<Broken link removed>

If you need 12v, something like this will fit the bill:

http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/710-5...0001&campid=5338547443&icep_item=254370947634

We also have an onboard mini PC that needs 19v, so we use a 12v to 19v step-up converter for that like:

http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/710-5...0001&campid=5338547443&icep_item=223467478859

 

[Phil 748]

I use this to power our 5577

 

[TinTentTourist]

Thanks all,

DBK - not confident, just hopeful! We were in a couple of places where the signal was just too weak to use where it would have been nice not to have walk to the top of a hill to send a message to family (Skye!). We are never that remote I don't think, just poor signal areas. I'm sure the next test will be coverage by different service providers, until they are all forced to share masts!

Power sources - thanks, it's good to know kit like that is available. If I go to a 5577 it will sit quite nicely next to a factory fitted double USB outlet, so power will not be an issue. It will recharge when the habitation is powered up, and work of it's battery when the ignition is on which is a bonus I had not considered.

Thanks again all.

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[gerry mcg]

this is what you want.
I bought one when I bought the 4G roof antenna, mifi and quick mounting kit 2

4G Smart Compact - Motorhome WiFi

4G Smart Antenna & 4G Compact Router Vehicle or Portable Use Quick Mount Docking Station 150 Mbps CAT 4 10 Wireless Devices 25-50m WiFi Range On-Screen Display WiFi Repeater Mode Easy to use smart phone app Ideal for: 1-2 concurrent users, web browsing & leisure

www.motorhomewifi.com

but it was not required as the kit already came with one - so I returned it

 

[Wagoneer]

Motorhomewifi will sell the "quick mount fitting kit" separately but at a price, £40 plus p&p.

Expensive I know but I wanted a permanent power supply with a switch.

 

[TinTentTourist]

Update... recommended kit E5577 and MiMO now ordered, original kit returned unused!

I will see how it goes in then depending on fitting location, consider the stand alone power supply suggested.

Thanks all.

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[nabsim]

I got a voltage stabiliser off Amazon for around £7 and set it to output 12v using my multimeter, been running this B511 for ages now. Use the same stabiliser for the echo dot, no problems

 

[ambulancekidd]

We like Scotland and have found too many places without any usable signal including TV

Just out of curiosity can I ask where in Scotland you struggled with wifi?
At the moment I only use tethering to my phone & have been truly astonished at the remote area's where the 4G signal has been strong, along with perfect phone reception using the 3 network.
The TV signal, well now that's a different matter.

 

[nabsim]

Just out of curiosity can I ask where in Scotland you struggled with wifi?
At the moment I only use tethering to my phone & have been truly astonished at the remote area's where the 4G signal has been strong, along with perfect phone reception using the 3 network.
The TV signal, well now that's a different matter.

I have found a couple of spots in Newton Stewart area that have little or no signal on 3. Not too bad though

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[TinTentTourist]

Just out of curiosity can I ask where in Scotland you struggled with wifi?

I am on 3 too, and it's mostly very good. I think those hill things get in the way, and although I accept signals bounce, I seem to be able to avoid them 50% of the time.

On Arran for example, we were on a pitch at a nice site and had a "1-2 bar" phone network connection. A lovely pitch came free by the edge of the beach and we moved over... about 200m sideways and 50m lower... and no signal at all.

This could happen on any site, but we love Scotland and have found a number of places that are just on the edge of decent reception for my phone hotspot. When TV was also poor, I actually had to talk to my wife!

Since I don't watch much terrestrial TV anyway, most of my viewing is via the likes of Nexflix. I'm sure the well tested setups described will sort out many of my issues.

I'm also going to stick with 3, but I'll pick up another couple of data sims to see what the other providers have when 3 doesn't work.

Cheers

Martin

 

[Lenny HB]

I'm also going to stick with 3, but I'll pick up another couple of data sims to see what the other providers have when 3 doesn't work.

Generally, Three is good in the UK but they often throttle data when roaming.

 

[TinTentTourist]

Generally, Three is good in the UK but they often throttle data when roaming.

More than one sim! Can they tell if you swap sims out?

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[Lenny HB]

More than one sim! Can they tell if you swap sims out?

If it's still a Three sim it would be the same.
You can have two different company sims connected to the same network the Three one always appears slower.

 

[Driventemple]

We have a 5577 and a roof mounted 'puck' antenna. Last year in the Hebrides we found 3 was very poor in Barra and Uist. It got better on Lewis though. Earlier I kept taking the EE sim out of my phone to swap into the 5577.

 

[TinTentTourist]

I was told, but I cannot prove, that EE is supposed to have the best coverage in Scotland as they were the chosen provider for the emergency services, and are therefore contracted to provide a minimum level of cover for the whole of the country.

I have always found 3 excellent and good value where there is a signal. I live in an area where they are all crap at my house, but I can get a 3 signal - just so it's the best of a bad situation.

Still, when you consider where we are from 10 years ago... what is there to complain about!

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