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12-09-2019, 12:18 PM
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#1
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Rivet Master
2015 28' International
Ofallon
, Missouri
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 659
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Converge anyone?
Anyone have the relatively new WiFiRanger Converge system?
I’m looking at the Denali variant with ext cell and wifi antenna, built in load balancing for multiple sources, source prioritization capability, and a dual band router.
Im very close to pulling the trigger on this vice the AS Connected system and would like any real world experiences.
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12-10-2019, 08:40 PM
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#2
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Overkill Specialist
Commercial Member
2020 30’ Globetrotter
2014 23' International
Dadeville
, Alabama
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 4,516
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Here’s a link to our DIY install.
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12-10-2019, 10:35 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
2018 25' Flying Cloud
Portland
, Oregon
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 1,317
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The Converge is certainly a sophisticated system from a company that knows what they are doing. The advantage of the Airstream system is really the unlimited data plan, not the electronics.
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12-11-2019, 06:09 AM
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#4
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Overkill Specialist
Commercial Member
2020 30’ Globetrotter
2014 23' International
Dadeville
, Alabama
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 4,516
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WiFiRanger is a great company with a long history of supporting the products. The new Converge platform will be around for a long time with its modular design. The ability to add devices and change out the “trays” allow the system to be upgraded without swapping the entire device. This will save money in equipment and installation cost.
WiFi Ranger also now provides a Siamese cable to the rooftop antenna. Both data and 12 volt power cables. Older devices were powered via PoE, which relied on smaller wires to power your devices. With the addition of a separate power cable WiFi Ranger has ensured reliable power to the roof allowing more devises to be powered without issue.
I’ve dug pretty deep into the hardware side of this system and I can vouch for its design and solid engineering. If the software side is anything close, (which WiFiRanger has a history of), then there is no reason not to expect great things from the Converge platforms.
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12-11-2019, 06:20 AM
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#5
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Rivet Master
2012 25' FB International
Trent Woods
, North Carolina
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 3,120
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I have an older WiFi Ranger where everything is outside, no cables to the interior. Does Converge require a CAT5 or 6 cable to an interior router? My unit is on a pole at the front of my trailer(removed for travel) with a POE cable that goes to a small power supply in the battery box. Then wireless to all devices in the trailer. They stopped making this configuration some time ago so I have missed out on technology upgrades, unfortunately. It still gives me a great boost for WiFi signals, but there is no LTE capability.
Larry
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12-11-2019, 06:29 AM
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#6
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Overkill Specialist
Commercial Member
2020 30’ Globetrotter
2014 23' International
Dadeville
, Alabama
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 4,516
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lsbrodsky
I have an older WiFi Ranger where everything is outside, no cables to the interior. Does Converge require a CAT5 or 6 cable to an interior router?
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Short answer is NO. The Converge system does not require an internal router. The internal router is optional. It does however require a 12 volt power source which I obtained by tapping inside and adding a switch.
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12-11-2019, 06:30 AM
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#7
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Rivet Master
2012 25' FB International
Trent Woods
, North Carolina
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 3,120
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Interesting...I need to look at this because I have 12v in my empty battery box and my pole mount is adjacent.
Thanks
Larry
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12-11-2019, 07:12 AM
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#8
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Rivet Master
2012 25' FB International
Trent Woods
, North Carolina
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 3,120
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I just finished studying the literature available. It does not look like the unit could be pole mounted, way too big. I do not want to roof mount and then have to find a way to get 12vdc to it. Looks like a good OEM option. I just wish there was a good pole mount WiFi/LTE external router unit out there.
Larry
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12-11-2019, 07:15 AM
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#9
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Half a Rivet Short
2017 30' Classic
2022 Interstate 24X
Carlisle
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 15,685
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Hi
I have a stack of replacement power supplies for my WiFi Ranger here. No idea why my unit keeps eating power supplies, but it does ..... Their customer service is fine. Each time I blow one, they send me another.
Bob
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12-11-2019, 08:30 AM
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#10
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Overkill Specialist
Commercial Member
2020 30’ Globetrotter
2014 23' International
Dadeville
, Alabama
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 4,516
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lsbrodsky
I just finished studying the literature available. It does not look like the unit could be pole mounted, way too big. I do not want to roof mount and then have to find a way to get 12vdc to it. Looks like a good OEM option. I just wish there was a good pole mount WiFi/LTE external router unit out there.
Larry
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You could pole mount even though it was not designed for that.
Here’s how. You would need to make an aluminum L bracket mounted to an aluminum base plate the matched the bottom profile of the Converge system and then you could use U bolts to Mount the unit to your pole.
Would not be hard to do. Just would need a 1/8” aluminum plate larger than the Converge base that could be cut to size and then a 2” Wide piece of angle aluminum for the L-bracket.
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12-11-2019, 08:49 AM
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#11
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Rivet Master
1964 22' Safari
modesto
, California
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,094
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No offense to the WiFi Ranger folks, but. There are other options out there for true high speed internet. I found this and have been kicking it around. It seems to be a very good option for High speed internet and after the initial $ for hardware $60.00 per mo is pretty inexpensive for what you can do with it.
https://www.vehicledwelling.com/fast...-internet.html
-Dennis
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12-11-2019, 09:20 AM
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#12
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Rivet Master
2012 25' FB International
Trent Woods
, North Carolina
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 3,120
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GMFL
You could pole mount even though it was not designed for that.
Here’s how. You would need to make an aluminum L bracket mounted to an aluminum base plate the matched the bottom profile of the Converge system and then you could use U bolts to Mount the unit to your pole.
Would not be hard to do. Just would need a 1/8” aluminum plate larger than the Converge base that could be cut to size and then a 2” Wide piece of angle aluminum for the L-bracket.
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What do you think the Converge weighed? Seems rather large for the top of a pole..
Larry
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12-11-2019, 04:23 PM
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#13
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Overkill Specialist
Commercial Member
2020 30’ Globetrotter
2014 23' International
Dadeville
, Alabama
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 4,516
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lsbrodsky
What do you think the Converge weighed? Seems rather large for the top of a pole..
Larry
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Around 1.5 lbs
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12-11-2019, 04:59 PM
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#14
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Rivet Master
2018 27' Tommy Bahama
Marana
, Arizona
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 815
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What do they charge for bandwidth access? I still have not found anything that beats Airstream Connected @ $360 a year.
__________________
2018 27FBQ Tommy Bahama - "Indecision" w/Blue Ox SwayPro, Centramatics, Dual EasyStarts, Airstream Connected, Airtug Trailer Tug HD
2012 F250 6.7 Powerstroke King Ranch - "Earl", Centramatics, Viair On Board Air
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12-11-2019, 05:57 PM
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#15
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Rivet Master
2015 28' International
Ofallon
, Missouri
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 659
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Quote:
Originally Posted by UncleBad
What do they charge for bandwidth access? I still have not found anything that beats Airstream Connected @ $360 a year.
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Converge is $25 for 5GB and you can cancel any time. So if I don’t travel all months of the year it could be more cost effective asI can only pay those months. No doubt $30/month unlimited is a great deal.
After a bit of study it seems to me the WiFiRanger hardware solution is superior and more user controllable. As someone said, they have a history of successful HW and SW solutions where AS seems to have designed a decent system with some limitations but a great data deal. I was looking for folks to confirm or disagree.
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12-12-2019, 01:31 PM
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#16
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Rivet Master
2012 25' FB International
Trent Woods
, North Carolina
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 3,120
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GMFL
Around 1.5 lbs
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Unfortunately tech support tells me 4 lbs. I think that is too much weight on top of a 10-12 ft pole made of 1 inch aluminum. Not sure it makes any sense for me to spend the money and try it.
Larry
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12-12-2019, 04:26 PM
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#17
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Overkill Specialist
Commercial Member
2020 30’ Globetrotter
2014 23' International
Dadeville
, Alabama
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 4,516
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lsbrodsky
Unfortunately tech support tells me 4 lbs. I think that is too much weight on top of a 10-12 ft pole made of 1 inch aluminum. Not sure it makes any sense for me to spend the money and try it.
Larry
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Haha. I guess I don’t know my own strength
Any who. Anyone looking to purchase can use discount code BOLT10 to save 10% off your order.
I will be doing another video in late January of the “Tray Swap”, upgrading from the Denali to the Everest system.
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12-12-2019, 05:13 PM
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#18
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Rivet Master
2019 27' International
Western NC
, North Carolina
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 860
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Quote:
Originally Posted by UncleBad
What do they charge for bandwidth access? I still have not found anything that beats Airstream Connected @ $360 a year.
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Yup which is why I just installed the system.
__________________
2023 Van Leigh Vilano 320GK
2019 International Serenity 27 FBQ “TC Escape” SOLD
2019 Ford F-350 Platinum
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12-13-2019, 07:45 AM
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#19
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Rivet Master
2012 25' FB International
Trent Woods
, North Carolina
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 3,120
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Too heavy
OK, I went out and strapped a jug of water at the appropriate weight to my 1 inch aluminum WiFi antenna mast to simulate the weight of a Converge. Way too heavy! The first zephyr would bend my pole in half. Nice technology if you can live with a roof mount but I want something I can erect when I get to the campsite, will plug in to my 12vdc at the battery box, and will provide cell and wifi. I have been happy with my WiFi Ranger, but no cell capability.
Larry
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