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Forum Discussion
Generac Generator Mobile Link Orbi Connection
I set up an Orbi system with a satellite in my very old thick-walled house, it works beautifully…except for linking to my Generac Generator. (I had trouble with Nest Products too, which I was able to fix by making the Orbi run only on 2.4.) The Generator’s program is refusing to link to the Orbi. It sounds like it’s a common issue, but the only solution a Generac suggested was to add a TP Link range extender. My issue is that I don’t want to degrade the Orbi signal. If it won’t degrade it, then fine, I’ll pay $20 to solve the problem. So far, it’s been many hours on hold, hitting try again and sitting with my tech-smart programmer friend who couldn’t figure it out either.
Hopefully someone has a fix for me!
2 Replies
ColumbiaHall17 wrote:
the only solution a Generac suggested was to add a TP Link range extender. My issue is that I don’t want to degrade the Orbi signal. If it won’t degrade it, then fine, I’ll pay $20 to solve the problem.
A generic WiFi Extender (TP-Link is a good brand) will solve the problem. Internet of Things (IoT) devices such as a generator do not require much bandwidth. Since they are not mobile (i.e. "roaming" around the house from one WiFi access point to another), a WiFi Extender provides adequate service.
Disappointing to hear that Generac's smartphone app does not deal well with mesh WiFi systems.
Was a bit surprised that the video describing how to set up Generac's Mobile Link never mentions selecting the home WiFi network. https://www.generac.com/for-homeowners/mobile-link/getting-started
This reinforces a hunch that the Mobile Link app is communicating information about the current smartphone connection to the Generac WiFi module. (Perhaps something like, "I am connected to WiFi "xxxxx", with password "yyyy" at MAC address "zzzz". (If the smartphone is connected to the Orbi 5G network, the Generac 2.4G WiFi module will not be able to find that MAC address.)
Where in that video explanation do "things go wrong?"
I agree that $20 to make this problem "go away" is probably the best step.
If this Orbi is one of the (older, original) models, such as RBR50, there is an easy method to outfox their app.
New firmware for the 750 and 850 products now has a way to create an "IoT" WiFi network that operates only at 2.4G, which would also address the problem.
