Need power module for WiFiRanger

[joebedford]

WifiRanger says the problems I'm having with my WFR are probably the power module. They want $50 for the 12V module that powers the router and Power Over Ethernet to my WFRBoost antenna (Ubiquiti Bullet).

I'd kinda like to get one for < $50 because I don't know if that's really the problem.

Anyone know of an alternative?

[joebedford]

I'm pleased to report that I'm the proud owner of a working WFRPod power supply. WiFi Ranger sent it to me and it has been up and running for 9.5 hours - since I installed it earlier today.

Good customer support.

Happy customer.

Case closed.

[aluminum03]

joebedford wrote:
Sorry I wasn't clear. The 5V goes to the router. At least I assume it's 5V. In one period when it appeared to be working, I unplugged the router and put my DVM on the connector and got 5.25V. For all I know, it's supposed to be 12V too.

I don't know what goes to the PoE for the antenna - I don't have the manual for my Bullet. The manual for the current model of Bullet says up to 24V so I suspect mine is powered by 12V PoE.



I wish I could find the durn manual. I never throw out stuff like that.

Yes, that's a WFRPod. Open a ticket with WFR. I think they have some that they will send for shipping costs and thats it. They will also include an AC POE for tha sking for the non WFR-Pro Boosts or Ubiquiti gear.

[joebedford]

Nope. 12V please.

What would be really good would be to find a bare board 12V USB power adapter to replace the one that's in the pod.

BTW, I straightened out the USB power adapter that was installed crooked in the factor and the WiFiRanger has been working for the last hour. Too early to tell if that was it...

[wa8yxm]

You can download the user's manual
https://www.wifiranger.com/images/guides/WiFiRanger_UserManual_Rev9.pdf If that is not the correct manual go up one page and try and find it there.

However.. A Question... Is it your desire to run this puppy on 120vac? IF so I have a method that is super easy.. MANY truck stops carry this device.

This one however is not one I've found at truck stops, it is a 3 amp supply.
http://www.powerstream.com/ac-1230-cig.htm (though you might under the Kooltron label)

The one I was looking for I have found at truck stops, it is a plastic housing, on the flat side is a standard 2-prong AC plug, and inside the housing a standard 12 volt accessory outlet, it is NOT regulated but I used one with a cell phone and have used them with other charger devices that had their own internal regulation.

[aluminum03]

joebedford wrote:
Sorry I wasn't clear. The 5V goes to the router. At least I assume it's 5V. In one period when it appeared to be working, I unplugged the router and put my DVM on the connector and got 5.25V. For all I know, it's supposed to be 12V too.

I don't know what goes to the PoE for the antenna - I don't have the manual for my Bullet. The manual for the current model of Bullet says up to 24V so I suspect mine is powered by 12V PoE.



I wish I could find the durn manual. I never throw out stuff like that.

Joe,

You have what is called a WFRPod. It was a combined 5vdc/12vdc unit to power the outdoor Ubiquiti product, and the indoor WiFiRanger Home. DO NOT POWER your WFRhome with anything other than 5vdc. An option would be to power the Hoem with the original wall wart gthat came with it, and then use a POE for the outdoor product. Cabling between the WAN port and the POE LAN port. This is a bit more complex, but doable.

[joebedford]

I pulled the cover off the pod. Looks like the 12V input is hardwired to the ethernet to power the antenna. Then they use a 12V USB adapter to make 5V for the router.



I plugged the router into a 5V wall wart and it works fine.

Wonder why they glued the USB power module on such an odd angle. I think that's a mistake and maybe over time has led to my issue??

[LittleBill]

ubiquiti uses either 15v (old poe) or 24v for their poe's

they have been known to run down near 10v but it gets iffy

[joebedford]

Sorry I wasn't clear. The 5V goes to the router. At least I assume it's 5V. In one period when it appeared to be working, I unplugged the router and put my DVM on the connector and got 5.25V. For all I know, it's supposed to be 12V too.

I don't know what goes to the PoE for the antenna - I don't have the manual for my Bullet. The manual for the current model of Bullet says up to 24V so I suspect mine is powered by 12V PoE.



I wish I could find the durn manual. I never throw out stuff like that.

[ryanw821]

Now you got me, I didn't know anyone was making a 5v POE setup, typical POE is usually straight 12, 24 or 48 volt output.

Do you have a volt meter to test if your current one is outputting power? Might help narrow down if the power supply is even responsible for your issues, and help to know if the "cigarette lighter" plug is feeding straight 12v to the POE box and the POE box down converts to 5v OR if its an adapter plug putting out 5v directly into the POE. Either way 12v or 5v cigarette plugs are quite common voltages.

Also photos and model numbers of POE/power cord might help us to help you find replacements.

[joebedford]

The box has a 12V "Cigarette lighter" input.

It has a 5V output to the router.

It has an ethernet cable to the router.

It has an ethernet port that the external antenna plugs into (PoE).

So I think it's a 5V supply with PoE to the antenna in a single block powered by 12V.

I don't know what voltage the antenna is expecting.

[ryanw821]

Is it powered with a PoE power injector (via box connected to ethernet cable, like I linked before), or just a plain wall wart? If its just a plain barrel plug DC adapter, go to radio shack, they can match something up for you.

[joebedford]

I really want the power source to be 12V.

Anybody know what voltage the Bullet is expecting? Is it 5V like the router?

I have a box full of wall bricks. I'm sure there's a 5V one in there. At least I'll be able to find out if the router is operational.

[Bill_S_1]

Amazon, CompUSA, Tiger Direct, and probably most other large computer stores would have POE power modules, for half that price. In fact, last I was in a CompUSA store, they had the Ubiquiti's in stock, along with POE's.

[wa8yxm]

I have found that the 12 volt power bricks and wall warts are kind of universial

You need to make sure the device can take the load (Enough current) and has the right plug and the right polarity (Positive or negative "Tip") but I likely have 4 or 5 lying about here I swap around all the time.

Radio shack is not the cheapest place

Re-sale shops (Salvation-Army, Habitat for Humanity, Goodwill, Et-al) often have a box of assorted wall-wart or power bricks and you can pick one up for like a buck.

Bring a pen light and perhaps a test meter cause those things can be hard to read in limited light.