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Nest Thermostat Batteries LOW on a new ORBI AX setup
I have a brand new ORBI AX wifi setup (RBR850 and 2 satellites) that i got configured and updated to the latest firmware (V3.2.15.25) about 10:00 last night with all nodes up to the version with a bi...
No.
Only thing I found was that with mine, being so close to the RBR, 5 feet, was having problems with the NEST. I found that when I moved the RBR away from the one NEST controller, 20-25 feet, the NEST controller started working with out draining the battery. Also was said that this is also a NEST controller issue as well that NEST needs to fix it on there side as these controllers ping pong back and forth on there own when there is more than 1 signal source in play, i.e. RBR and 1 or 2 RBS. Its also recommemeded to install the C power wire to your NEST from the main central AC system to help avoid the battery draining. You'll need to consult your systems mfr wiring diagram to find out which connection that is.
FURRYe38 wrote:you should be able to get debug logs from the RBS debug web page as well.
When was the last time they had contacted you about the logs?
I haven't contacted Netgear about this yet.
What is the Mfr and model# of the Internet Service Providers modem/ONT the NG router is connected too?
It's a Verizon FiOS ONT. I don't know who manufactures them.
What is the size of your home? Sq Ft?
Around 3,500 SF: 1,100 first floor, 1,200 second floor, 1,200 third floor.
What is the distance between the router and satellite(s)?
The RBR is on the 3rd floor. The ONT is on the first floor. CAT5 runs from the ONT to the RBR. The RBR sees the full 500 Mbps from Verizon and WiFi tests 300 Mbps+ depending on where I am and what device I'm testing.
What is the distance between the RBR/RBS and your NEST controllers?
Nest #1 is 22 feet from the RBS, Nest #2 is 15 feet from the RBR.
What generation NEST do you have?
Gen 3 Nest
What SW/FW version is loaded on the NEST?
SW version 6.1-9, last updated 2/11/2020 but I don't see anywhere in the app to check for updates.
What is the distance between the router and satellite(s)?
Try lowering the power output of the RBR from 100% to 25% and see how it goes...
turbojimmy2 wrote:
FURRYe38 wrote:you should be able to get debug logs from the RBS debug web page as well.
When was the last time they had contacted you about the logs?
I haven't contacted Netgear about this yet.
What is the Mfr and model# of the Internet Service Providers modem/ONT the NG router is connected too?
It's a Verizon FiOS ONT. I don't know who manufactures them.
What is the size of your home? Sq Ft?
Around 3,500 SF: 1,100 first floor, 1,200 second floor, 1,200 third floor.
What is the distance between the router and satellite(s)?
The RBR is on the 3rd floor. The ONT is on the first floor. CAT5 runs from the ONT to the RBR. The RBR sees the full 500 Mbps from Verizon and WiFi tests 300 Mbps+ depending on where I am and what device I'm testing.
What is the distance between the RBR/RBS and your NEST controllers?
Nest #1 is 22 feet from the RBS, Nest #2 is 15 feet from the RBR.
What generation NEST do you have?
Gen 3 Nest
What SW/FW version is loaded on the NEST?
SW version 6.1-9, last updated 2/11/2020 but I don't see anywhere in the app to check for updates.
- The RBR is directly above the RBS. So about 10 feet but through the floor.
I turned the power down to 50%. I’m reluctant to go down to 25% because I have a Nest cam about 200 feet away that I don’t want to lose. I had a hard wired hot spot for it until I got the Orbis. It wouldn’t connect to the Google WiFi. Ok, 10 feet is too close, even with 1 floor in between. This would be another cause of NEST ping ponging back and forth. I'd get 25-30 feet in between the RBR and RBS.
I moved the RBS to the other side of the house, which works out better because now it's 30-feet closer to that outdoor Nest cam. It's also now at least 30 feet away from the RBR.
The RBR is down to 50% power and the CTS at 2347.
I'll know in a few days whether it worked. I was charging the thermostats back up with a USB cable about once a week.
Thanks for your help!
FURRYe38 wrote:Ok, 10 feet is too close, even with 1 floor in between. This would be another cause of NEST ping ponging back and forth. I'd get 25-30 feet in between the RBR and RBS.
Let us know how it goes...
So far both thermostats have been okay. One is 3.76V and the other is 3.78V. A little low, but not dropping.
It looks like Google is making a "C" wire adapter that powers the thermostat without having to run a "C" wire to the thermostat. This might be a good option once they become available. It doesn't solve the hopping issue, but it does provide a consistent power source to the thermostat so hopefully they stay charged. They're only $25 and require goofing around with the HVAC circuit board. I've replaced the boards in both of my furnaces myself so it's something I can definitely do.
Is there a link to this adapter?
Ya others have posted that they have connected the C cable to the controllers to stop the drain. Would be kewl to have an alternative.
Glad the adjusting of RBS and RBR has helped. That the couple of items that I did as well. Stopped the disconnections and batter drain on my one 3rd gen NEST.
Wellll....the downstairs thermostat went dead overnight. I pre-ordered Google's power adapter. It says it will be here June 8-9.
Here's a link:
https://store.google.com/product/nest_power_connector?hl=en-US
Ok thanks for the link info. Will look into this as well.
Just bought the Orbi Mesh Wifi6 (RBK753) system with router and two satellites 3 weeks ago. My 3rd gen Nest thermostat has been repeatedly disconnecting and reporting low battery requiring me to recharge it. Have been unable to fix it. Was clueless until I found this thread. I just opened a ticket with Netgear and will report back when I get a reply. In the meantime, I'm inclined to try to set up a separate Wifi network with my Xfinity modem/router for use just with the Nest thermostats. I'm not a Wifi expert but I was able to put my Xfinity modem/router (Technicolor CGM4140COM) in BRIDGE mode through the desktop browser when I set up the Orbi system so only the Orbi is sending out Wifi. I assume I will have to turn off BRIDGE mode and set up a wifi network with a different SSID through the Xfinity router? Any other suggestions welcome.
RBK unit is 30 feet from thermostat
RBS units are both 45 feet from RBK unit and 30 and 50 ft from thermostat
Try changing 2.4 channel to channel 1 or 11 and 5Ghz to channel 40 or 48.
The RBR is down to 50% power and the CTS at 2347.
Its the NEST that is ping ponging back and forth can can't decide to keep locked on to one signal. Try moving one of the RBS closer to the NEST controller.
Liv4foos wrote:Just bought the Orbi Mesh Wifi6 (RBK753) system with router and two satellites 3 weeks ago. My 3rd gen Nest thermostat has been repeatedly disconnecting and reporting low battery requiring me to recharge it. Have been unable to fix it. Was clueless until I found this thread. I just opened a ticket with Netgear and will report back when I get a reply. In the meantime, I'm inclined to try to set up a separate Wifi network with my Xfinity modem/router for use just with the Nest thermostats. I'm not a Wifi expert but I was able to put my Xfinity modem/router (Technicolor CGM4140COM) in BRIDGE mode through the desktop browser when I set up the Orbi system so only the Orbi is sending out Wifi. I assume I will have to turn off BRIDGE mode and set up a wifi network with a different SSID through the Xfinity router? Any other suggestions welcome.
RBK unit is 30 feet from thermostat
RBS units are both 45 feet from RBK unit and 30 and 50 ft from thermostat
Successful Workaround?
I turned BRIDGE mode OFF on my Xfinity router so it started to send out Wifi again. I then changed the SSID to something new so I now have two Wifi networks running simultaneously with different SSIDs. I then reassigned the one NEST thermostat to the new network and this seems to be working! I was pleasantly surprised to find that I didn't need to change all my other NEST equipment to the new network (I have two 3rd gen thermostats, three cameras and three door locks). I only changed the one thermostat to the new network and so far so good.
I believe Netgear recommends against running two networks like this with the Orbi but so far I haven't seen any issues (I'm only 24 hours in though). I'll report back if I run into any problems.
Thanks for the reply FURRYe38. If my workaround fails, I'll definitely try your suggestions.
Tim
This is good to know. I hadn't even considered what would happen if my Nest devices were on different networks.
Hopefully the Nests power adapters will work (should be here next week) but if not this is a good workaround.
Liv4foos wrote:Successful Workaround?
I was pleasantly surprised to find that I didn't need to change all my other NEST equipment to the new network
Yes you can do that. You can have two wifi networks running as long what the source units are not close to each other and on different channels.
Liv4foos wrote:Successful Workaround?
I turned BRIDGE mode OFF on my Xfinity router so it started to send out Wifi again. I then changed the SSID to something new so I now have two Wifi networks running simultaneously with different SSIDs. I then reassigned the one NEST thermostat to the new network and this seems to be working! I was pleasantly surprised to find that I didn't need to change all my other NEST equipment to the new network (I have two 3rd gen thermostats, three cameras and three door locks). I only changed the one thermostat to the new network and so far so good.
I believe Netgear recommends against running two networks like this with the Orbi but so far I haven't seen any issues (I'm only 24 hours in though). I'll report back if I run into any problems.
Thanks for the reply FURRYe38. If my workaround fails, I'll definitely try your suggestions.
Tim
I installed the Nest C-wire adapters today. Pretty straightforward installation at the air handler. Time will tell if it works. Both thermostats immediately started showing more battery power so that's a good sign.
Thanks for letting us know.