Smart home & IoT

Home batteries and your Wi-Fi

Storage systems that report home constantly.

What this kit needs from a network

Home battery gateway that reports constantly and controls charging against tariff times.

Bands
2.4 GHz, with Ethernet on most systems — use the cable.
How it's found on the network
Cloud, plus local control on some systems.
Background discovery traffic
Low.
Guest networks
Setup fails.
Separate IoT network (VLAN)
Fine on an IoT network if the app still reaches it.

Setting it up

  • Wire it. Battery systems make tariff decisions and should not depend on Wi-Fi.
  • Confirm it reconnects after a power cut.
  • Stand next to your router while you set it up, then move the gadget to where it lives.
  • Put your phone on the 2.4 GHz network name for the setup, or use one name for both bands so the phone can follow.
  • If your router splits bands into two names, turn the 5 GHz one off for five minutes rather than fighting it.
  • Turn mobile data off on your phone during setup — some apps quietly use it and never find the gadget.

Mesh considerations

  • A mesh box with an Ethernet port next to the battery is the tidy answer.

Router requirements

  • A wired run to the battery location where possible

The kit we've checked

  • Tesla Powerwall 70/100

    Keeps storing and releasing power without the internet, but you lose the app view and cheap-rate scheduling when Wi-Fi drops.

    Most common complaint: App stops showing today's solar and battery figures after a router change.

Problem guides on this shelf

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