Basic management in Bluetooth Mode

[HaulinAshe]

As winter approaches and the possibility increases of long-term Internet access outages, I find myself growing more concerned about not being able to turn anything On/Off, change Modes etc. without Internet access. I have UPS backup and a generator to manage power outages. I can keep the tank and controller powered and running. But I can't actually DO ANYTHING except monitor inputs without WiFi Internet or installing yet another piece of hardware for pushbuttons.

Can we get some basic functions enabled in Bluetooth mode, just no configuration changes?

 

[Danny]

As winter approaches and the possibility increases of long-term Internet access outages, I find myself growing more concerned about not being able to turn anything On/Off, change Modes etc. without Internet access. I have UPS backup and a generator to manage power outages. I can keep the tank and controller powered and running. But I can't actually DO ANYTHING except monitor inputs without WiFi Internet or installing yet another piece of hardware for pushbuttons.

Can we get some basic functions enabled in Bluetooth mode, just no configuration changes?

There are but you still need internet for the app. What I do is turn off wifi on my phone and start the app and fo into bluetooth. It will let you override outputs to either off, auto or on. You can see all the inputs and outputs in bluetooth. If you have a collective select the controller that is normally your wifi master.

 

[Don]

There are but you still need internet for the app. What I do is turn off wifi on my phone and start the app and fo into bluetooth. It will let you override outputs to either off, auto or on. You can see all the inputs and outputs in bluetooth. If you have a collective select the controller that is normally your wifi master.

Just to clarify slightly what Danny said.

In Bluetooth mode the phone needs to have internet access but the Hydros devices do not. So your phone should still be able to reach the internet via your cellular provider just as Danny suggested. If you have WiFi outlets then your WiFi will need to still be working (as in your local router running) but it doesn't matter if you have internet access. Because of this is is advisable to put your router on a small UPS if you have WiFi outlets.

 

[HaulinAshe]

I appreciate your responses and I am extremely familiar with the nuisances of WiFi and Internet (IT background and former ISP operator).

My particular situation is that when power is lost in my area it typically also causes loss of the marginal cell phone service too. So when my Internet connectivity is lost, it's all lost. The only thing I have to work with is my house WiFi and Bluetooth.

My concern is that I want to be able to manage my Hydros systems using only the things that I can personally control and support. I'm not comfortable relying on any cell service or Internet service provider to keep everyone alive.

There's already been a couple instances where I've lost all connectivity to the outside world while in the middle of tank maintenance. It's not a good situation. Is my only alternative to setup a breakout box with pushbuttons?

 

[HaulinAshe]

Is my only alternative to setup a breakout box with pushbuttons? Couldn't the app be blessed with a LOCAL MODE that would communicate via the available WiFi without requiring any Internet access?

I assume it all has to do with user authentication requiring Internet?

 

[Danny]

I never had an issue with cell service during our week long rolling blackouts. It was always working. At that time my controllers did not have battery backup so they were not powered anyway when the power was out which was 50% of the time. I did have EcoTech battery backup for my MP10's so they were the only thing running when the power was out. I have since got battery backup for the Hydros controllers and a UPS for my cable modem and router. There is not much to do in an all electric home when there is no power and it is below 32 degrees outside. That was a long week. We had to time our meals when power would first come back on to make sure we would have time to prepare it and eat it before the next power loss. Having a UPS for the modem and router would have been a big help. We could have at least used our iPads if we had modem and router powered.