Do I need a voltage stabilizer for Netgear Nighthawk M1?

Gerry77

Gerry77

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I finally decided on a Nighthawk router for mobile wifi but wondered how to power it.
Should I plug direct into a usb socket or is that not good enough for this high quality electronic gismo? Do I need a voltage stabilizer ?
Also can anyone recommend a roof aerial which improves its performance please?
 
Because you’re using USB you wouldn’t need any stabiliser.
With the M1 I believe if you have it plugged into usb your best to leave the battery out
I use a different router but have this antenna
www.netxl.com

Poynting MIMO-3-V2-12 Transport and Marine MIMO Antenna | NetXL

This Poynting MIMO-3-V2-12 is a high performance 2-in-1 cellular antenna system, ideal for transportation and marine applications. Due to its wide band capabilities, this device can be used across different operators and technologies and is ready for future cellular technologies such as 5G up to...
www.netxl.com www.netxl.com
 
My M1 has been plugged into a USB port (which is wired via a fuse, to the 12v lithium leisure battery bank) for the last 18 months or so without any problem. Make sure you remove the internal battery.
 
I have the same router and just plug it into a USB socket, it never occurred to me to do anything else.
I just use a poynting puck 2 antenna and find it works very well.
There are other more expensive poynting antenna available if you want to spend more.
 
Forgot to mention that I have not bothered to fit an external aerial. I have never yet failed to get an acceptable signal just using the M1, either in the UK or Spain/France/Portugal/Germany/Belgium/Netherlands/Denmark/Italy…… perhaps I have just been lucky. Suggest Manic that you just try without an external aerial to see if it meets your needs. I have mine mounted in a holder on a vertical surface near the roof. I suspect I might not have been able to get such a reliable signal in our previous (metal cage) PVC.

If of interest the holder I use is….. https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0B4SGS437/?tag=mhf04-21

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Gerry77 said:
I finally decided on a Nighthawk router for mobile wifi but wondered how to power it.
Should I plug direct into a usb socket or is that not good enough for this high quality electronic gismo? Do I need a voltage stabilizer ?
Also can anyone recommend a roof aerial which improves its performance please?
Click to expand...
Plug it in to a USB socket, I would take stable to mean a steady 12v supply and use the supplied cable as per the instructions.

Charging your Nighthawk M6 properly is important to ensure its longevity and maintain its performance. Here are some best practices to follow when charging your mobile hotspot:
  • Use the provided charging cable: To ensure the safety and performance of your Nighthawk M6, always use the charging cable that came with the device. Using third-party cables might result in slower charging, and can damage your device. Do not use damaged or frayed charging cables.
  • Plug the cable into a power source: Plug the charging cable into a wall adapter (recommended) or a computer USB port to charge the device. Make sure that the power source is stable and reliable.
  • Check the charging status: When you plug in the charging cable, check the device's charging status. The charging indicator in the status bar shows a lightning bolt over the battery icon if the device is charging. If the charging indicator does not appear, try unplugging the cable and plugging it back in.
  • Charge the device fully: We recommend that you charge the Nighthawk M6 fully before using it for the first time, and that you let the device recharge fully before using it again when you discharge the battery. This helps to maintain the battery's lifespan and overall performance.
  • Avoid overcharging: Overcharging the device can damage the battery and shorten its lifespan. When the device is fully charged, unplug it from the power source. Don't leave it plugged in overnight or for long periods of time. We recommend that you remove the battery when the device is plugged in for a long period of time.
  • Charge in a well-ventilated area: Charging your Nighthawk M6 in a well-ventilated area can prevent overheating and ensures that the device charges efficiently. Avoid charging the device in an enclosed space or in direct sunlight.
    By following these best practices, you can ensure that your Nighthawk M6 stays charged and performs optimally for years to come.
 
The reason for asking is I wondered how reliable a USB socket in controlling the output voltage.
Thanks for the replies, waiting for it to arrive, test it and decide if it needs an external aerial. I have a Poynting XPOL-1 but don’t really want another hole in the roof!
 
I have a Netgear M1. You can leave the battery in because it won’t keep charging it. The M1 has a smart charger built in and reduces charging levels if it’s plugged in for a long time. My battery sits at about 80%.
 
i think I damaged my m1 battery by having it plugged in while driving it had been fine but suddenly stopped working removing battery made it work ok and have since replaced battery,It was plugged into usb socket from leisure batteries and voltage can rise above 14 volts when engine running, will only charge it now when engine not running
 
Gerry77 said:
The reason for asking is I wondered how reliable a USB socket in controlling the output voltage.
Thanks for the replies, waiting for it to arrive, test it and decide if it needs an external aerial. I have a Poynting XPOL-1 but don’t really want another hole in the roof!
Click to expand...
Yes our cheapo MIFI just runs of USB permanently, in good signal areas (like our storage location) there is little difference with the outside aerial - but with poor reception it helps quite a bit. I suspect the Nighthawk will have better performance all round!

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chatteris said:
i think I damaged my m1 battery by having it plugged in while driving it had been fine but suddenly stopped working removing battery made it work ok and have since replaced battery,It was plugged into usb socket from leisure batteries and voltage can rise above 14 volts when engine running, will only charge it now when engine not running
Click to expand...
Surely a usb socket should only give out supply at 5volts .
 
We have the m2. It's been plugged into a general USB for two years with no problem. I left the first battery in and it died. So now use it with the battery removed. It'll work either plugged in to the aerial or not. We've got the mimo 5 in 1 antenna.
 
chatteris said:
i think I damaged my m1 battery by having it plugged in while driving it had been fine but suddenly stopped working removing battery made it work ok and have since replaced battery,It was plugged into usb socket from leisure batteries and voltage can rise above 14 volts when engine running, will only charge it now when engine not running
Click to expand...
Something wrong with your USB if it’s not putting out 5 volts , shouldn’t matter what voltage the leisure batteries are getting.
I have a stabilised supply for my Huawei b535 because that runs on 12volts
 
chatteris said:
i think I damaged my m1 battery by having it plugged in while driving it had been fine but suddenly stopped working removing battery made it work ok and have since replaced battery,It was plugged into usb socket from leisure batteries and voltage can rise above 14 volts when engine running, will only charge it now when engine not running
Click to expand...
chatteris One of these is handy to check USB voltages.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07MY2DHNK/?tag=mhf04-21

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This site contains affiliate links for which MHF may be compensated.
No issues with my Netgear permanently plugged into USB in the van, it does come up with a message about unplugging the power supply but I don’t bother🤔🤔
 

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