Hot Tub Forum
Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: dave48103 on July 28, 2015, 09:26:13 am
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Anyone have the BWG wifi module? It works great when it's connected, but it disconnects almost daily, and to reconnect, I have to turn off and on the power to the spa. So basically it's useless as a means of getting the spa ready on my way home. Anyone else have this issue? The dealer says my router needs to be closer to the spa. Well, first I put an extender just inside my door, and now it actually outside about 12 feet away. It still disconnects. What's the point of this? Glad it came with the spa, I'd be really annoyed if I paid extra for this feature. Any suggestions?
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Thanks for the report, I hope it works out. I'm considering installing the Sundance one on my tub.
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I had considered adding one but ruled it out based on the ludicrous price. I've seen a few reports of connectivity issues, so especially glad I decided not to invest.
I'm hoping to decode the communications between the spa pack and topside panel with a view to eventually building a custom WiFi interface around a Raspberry PI. Should get the price down to about $50 and solve the disconnect issue.
Have any of the longstanding members of this board seen similar attempts in the past? Looking around the net there doesn't appear to be any sign of previous tries, which I'm hoping is down to nobody bothering rather than the comms data being encrypted and hard to decipher.
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I have it on my spa as well. My router is +40ft away and I have no issues. Mine always disconnect pretty much as soon as I exit out of the app but I can just click reconnect on the app and it connects after a few seconds.
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I'm having the same problems. Also my Bluetooth for Audio works for about 6 inches away from unit, then nothing. Bad connectivity, probably shielding issues.
I gave up on the WIFI aspect as it just would not stay connected. Very poor set up and design
Dave
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Anyone else having a problem with their wifi? Balboa says it must me my internet connection. Am I missing something? Or is this just a poor design of something whose technology has been around for a decade?
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Sorry never worked on them thar modern interweb thingy connected control boxes. I worked on plenty of air controls and electronic controls but nothing newer than 2009 or so yet. Some of the modern control systems will likely be the final nail in my tub repair coffin :'( I can still plumb in my retirement. My girlfriend is my IT person.
Maybe that's OK, getting old. My knees aren't what they used to be. Sold my hoist and trailer and bought a UAV
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Anyone have the BWG wifi module? It works great when it's connected, but it disconnects almost daily, and to reconnect, I have to turn off and on the power to the spa. So basically it's useless as a means of getting the spa ready on my way home. Anyone else have this issue? The dealer says my router needs to be closer to the spa. Well, first I put an extender just inside my door, and now it actually outside about 12 feet away. It still disconnects. What's the point of this? Glad it came with the spa, I'd be really annoyed if I paid extra for this feature. Any suggestions?
It's absolute junk. I'm regretting paying for it. The reviews online are accurate. It sucks.
I have managed a 60,000 node enterprise network including 1500 wireless APs for 20 years so this isn't user error. You have to reboot the wifi module every couple days to get it to work and then it never sees the SSIDs of either of my wireless networks at home. Tech support blamed my phone...yep...my phone...for the problems.
I'm demanding a refund and they can come take the POS out of the tub themselves.
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Here's a thought from a different end ...
Is it possible that being in an environment with high power draw objects - heater, motors and the like that they cause power dips and spikes and the gear can't handle them? I'm not talking about the initial setup (can't see your wireless router) but once setup and "running" that a little blip causes the wireless device to sit there and scratch it's head and wonder what to do. Now before you pooh it off I will say that when my tub kicks on the lights in my house kind of dim for a second and I am running 200 amp service. I'm thinking that however that unit gets powered it doesn't handle whatever well and gets hung up.We have to reset the devices that get hung up during a blip in a hospital - electronics do not like blips!
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Here's a thought from a different end ...
Is it possible that being in an environment with high power draw objects - heater, motors and the like that they cause power dips and spikes and the gear can't handle them? I'm not talking about the initial setup (can't see your wireless router) but once setup and "running" that a little blip causes the wireless device to sit there and scratch it's head and wonder what to do. Now before you pooh it off I will say that when my tub kicks on the lights in my house kind of dim for a second and I am running 200 amp service. I'm thinking that however that unit gets powered it doesn't handle whatever well and gets hung up.We have to reset the devices that get hung up during a blip in a hospital - electronics do not like blips!
Good thought...let me describe my situation.
My tub draws 28 amps on startup (jets on high, heater on) so while it's not a small draw, it isn't huge.
They sell this to be used *in* this environment. It should have been well tested prior to being available for sale.
I moved the wifi module outside of the tub as far as the very long cable would allow...probably 15' or more away from the tub. I left it attached to the trim of a sliding, glass patio door on my home for 2 days. Same behavior.
These wifi modules likely draw a very low amount of DC voltage (not certain on that, but I'd bet it's right)
My guess is these are very cheaply manufactured with very poor firmware. The firmware is what will most likely cause this behavior. I don't see any facility for upgrading the PROM so it is what it is.
I could build a wifi module with an Arduino controller for $25 that would be robust and have error correcting to include resetting or rebooting itself in the event it was necessary. If I could get Balboa to provide the configuration of the data provided (not likely) this would be an easy thing to correct.
I'm going to call them (Balboa) again tomorrow and see what they suggest, but my guess is that they're as frustrated with this as the consumers are.
There really is no excuse for selling crap like this today. It's just way too easy to do it right.
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I'm not defending the product in any way, shape or form, I agree if you are going to sell a product - it should work. My thoughts are as a Biomedical Tech fighting the "great technology" advances in modern medical equipment and not all of them are up to the hype that surrounds them. Unfortunately, an idea is sold to someone high up in the chain and everyone below needs to run with it. And somewhere the idea to squeeze another $0.01 out of every unit gets to point of producing crap.
Hopefully you can get your money back.
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I'm not defending the product in any way, shape or form, I agree if you are going to sell a product - it should work. My thoughts are as a Biomedical Tech fighting the "great technology" advances in modern medical equipment and not all of them are up to the hype that surrounds them. Unfortunately, an idea is sold to someone high up in the chain and everyone below needs to run with it. And somewhere the idea to squeeze another $0.01 out of every unit gets to point of producing crap.
Hopefully you can get your money back.
Yep...didn't think you were defending it, sorry if it came off that way. :)
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Has any returned their unit for a replacement? I give up on this piece of equipment. I tried a wifi extender, moving the router almost next to the hot tub . . . nothing works. It connects for a day and then won't reconnect. I wonder now if there was a bad batch and maybe a replacement might work better?
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Has any returned their unit for a replacement? I give up on this piece of equipment. I tried a wifi extender, moving the router almost next to the hot tub . . . nothing works. It connects for a day and then won't reconnect. I wonder now if there was a bad batch and maybe a replacement might work better?
How old and what make and model access point/router are you using? Is the firmware current?
I seem to have solved my issues by installing a brand new Asus RT-AC68P router/AP. I'm *not* using the BullFrog branded iOS ap instead using the Balboa branded app. It does not work the way tech support explained as far as displaying the SSIDs available in a drop down list, but entering my SSID (WPA authentication) did work with this newer device. It's been about a week now and I can connect from anywhere I have a signal and it has not dropped off during that time.
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Has any returned their unit for a replacement? I give up on this piece of equipment. I tried a wifi extender, moving the router almost next to the hot tub . . . nothing works. It connects for a day and then won't reconnect. I wonder now if there was a bad batch and maybe a replacement might work better?
How old and what make and model access point/router are you using? Is the firmware current?
I seem to have solved my issues by installing a brand new Asus RT-AC68P router/AP. I'm *not* using the BullFrog branded iOS ap instead using the Balboa branded app. It does not work the way tech support explained as far as displaying the SSIDs available in a drop down list, but entering my SSID (WPA authentication) did work with this newer device. It's been about a week now and I can connect from anywhere I have a signal and it has not dropped off during that time.
I have ATT Uverse in my house, and the modem is an ARRIS NVG589. Does that tell you anything?
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Has any returned their unit for a replacement? I give up on this piece of equipment. I tried a wifi extender, moving the router almost next to the hot tub . . . nothing works. It connects for a day and then won't reconnect. I wonder now if there was a bad batch and maybe a replacement might work better?
How old and what make and model access point/router are you using? Is the firmware current?
I seem to have solved my issues by installing a brand new Asus RT-AC68P router/AP. I'm *not* using the BullFrog branded iOS ap instead using the Balboa branded app. It does not work the way tech support explained as far as displaying the SSIDs available in a drop down list, but entering my SSID (WPA authentication) did work with this newer device. It's been about a week now and I can connect from anywhere I have a signal and it has not dropped off during that time.
I have ATT Uverse in my house, and the modem is an ARRIS NVG589. Does that tell you anything?
Yes, Arris equipment is known to be problematic as it's a low cost option for carriers to use in an on-premise install. Personally, I'd go buy a quality router/AP and save whatever monthly fee they're charging you for the rental and enjoy better, faster connectivity.
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The module has a 15 foot cord. I took the module out of the hot tub and mounted it on the wall of my house and it started staying reliably connected. I just ziptied the cord next to the power cord going over to the wall.
Dpn
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Good deal. Glad you got it sorted. How far is the AP from the tub and what's in the way?
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The AP is about 25 feet from the tub and there are 2 walls between, one exterior, one interior.
I think what helped was getting the WiFi interface away from the big motors on the pumps.
Don
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The AP is about 25 feet from the tub and there are 2 walls between, one exterior, one interior.
I think what helped was getting the WiFi interface away from the big motors on the pumps.
Don
Interesting. Same for me only I've got a little more distance. The EMF the motor would create is outside of the spectrum that would affect the WiFi spectrum. It's more likely that putting it closer just bumped the poor signal strength of the Arris AP enough to get it to lock up better.
Either way. Glad it's working.
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I have a brand new Marquis 660 hot tub. Marquis uses 1990's era 5-character LCD displays, so I thought the wifi add-on would be ideal. I have an old iPhone in a waterproof case which is perfect for controlling the tub - I don't use the built in controls.
I am a techie, I have an enterprise class wifi deployment at my home (overkill, but that's me). I have tested three different access points. I literally put an access point INSIDE the hot tub about 8 INCHES from the wifi control box. It works great for 5-7 days, and then it disconnects. I have to do a hard power-cycle to get it back on-line.
After reading this thread I am feeling a little burned. Speaking with "Joe" at Balboa, all he did was blame my wifi and tell me it is the dealer's fault. Marquis is supposed to be a decent brand, and I understand they do not make the control components. However, they took my money for this expensive 'Internet of Things' device. If I was just using this for "change the temp on your way home", that would be one thing. This is my primary & preferred control for the tub, as the tub's built in interface is just kludgy.
As a techie, I agree with the previous poster's conclusion that this is a fundamental firmware / hardware / design problem with the device. If this can be proven so, then Balboa (and the tub manufacturers) need to get it fixed.
I am posting here to add a "me too" to the thread. Also to keep it alive in the hope that someone has found a resolution.
Thanks,
-Eric
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me too
I also am very technical
Enterprise Grade Cisco Network gear in my home
Had the hardest time getting this thing to work
Even after successful connecting it, it disconnects almost daily
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I had considered adding one but ruled it out based on the ludicrous price. I've seen a few reports of connectivity issues, so especially glad I decided not to invest.
I'm hoping to decode the communications between the spa pack and topside panel with a view to eventually building a custom WiFi interface around a Raspberry PI. Should get the price down to about $50 and solve the disconnect issue.
Have any of the longstanding members of this board seen similar attempts in the past? Looking around the net there doesn't appear to be any sign of previous tries, which I'm hoping is down to nobody bothering rather than the comms data being encrypted and hard to decipher.
Any luck decoding the communications
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Here is another me too. I have already had the wifi module swapped out. It did not do anything. Sure would like to know if anyone ever does find a real resolution. It sounds like some people have found success with different things, but there is no concrete solution. Seems like the hardware is supremely flawed.
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So just an update to my situation, the fourth one that I received is "better" than the other three that had just been swapped out. Some how they must have modified the code to reset and try to reconnect. Now, I say that it is better because it does still drop off, but eventually at least it comes back. I don't know if it was my Spa people or Balboa that ultimately did whatever needed to be done, but the only answer I could get about this latest unit is that it "had new software".
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I remember when it was as uncomplicated as tiny hoses full of air forced by a plunger button to a switch or solenoid. And noisy electric timers to start and stop filter cycles. Can you imagine??? LOL
Now we are talking about software.................
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Just realised I had a question from Letran a couple of months back. Not had chance to hook up all the electronics yet but have been researching on the net and this patent looks relevant:
http://www.google.co.uk/patents/US7158909
It's assigned to Balboa and includes information about an interface using an SPI protocol, going into plenty of detail about actual codes to transmit and receive. I've got a Raspberry Pi set up with data logging on the SPI interface, just need to find time now to sit with a scope and work out what is being sent on each pin before wiring it in.
Regarding distance between the tub and wifi kit, I've got a couple of devices with external aerials on the opposite side of the tub from the access point, about eight feet from the pumps, and they run nicely. There's also a 2.4gHz LED controller in there with just the built in aerial that runs with no issues.
Probably be late August by the time I know any more, got a couple of busy months coming up.
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Reviving this topic. I too have experienced these disconnect issues requiring a power cycle to reconnect. My tub is located less than 10ft from my Airport express, albeit with an exterior wall between the two.
I rely on this connection as the tub is at a vacation house, and the whole reason for this purchase was monitoring/temp set when I am away.
Question for the group, has anyone figured out a hardwired/cat5 ethernet solution?
Thanks,
Jeffrey
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I have this issue as well. I have tried everything in relation to connecting, including putting my iPhone directly onto the Balboa wifi unit. I cannot get it to even connect through the app in the setup stage. The iPhone sees the unit, I connect to the wifi on my phone, but thats as far as I get.
So mine is not even at the stage of working on the network.
Does anyone know if there is an initial step trick?