Wifi Questions
 

We close April 12th. I have some Wi-Fi questions and I'm fairly techy. What's everybody using? At my northern home I use Google Mesh. Its ok but the coverage doesn't seem the best. I have 4 in a 2000 square foot home with finished basement. Main on modem, 1 upstairs, 1 garage (Wi-Fi opener and wouldn't work from in house, and 1 downstairs. For cameras I'm using Blink. They work but not thrilled with them. Eventually will go CAT6 cameras. I know I'll get a lot of different opinions but that's what I'm looking for. And what about irrigation Wi-Fi? What else can I monitor? I think our home will have a Wi-Fi thermostat since the home is new. I have Nest at northern home and I like it.

No basements, very few second floors. I have a Comcast Xfinity modem/wireless router that I relocated to near the center of the house, and do not need any other equipment, excellent coverage in all rooms, 3200 sq ft house.

I don't have a mesh setup in our northern home and that is 3500 sq ft. Netgear modem/router combo there, also with Blink cameras. No issues with WiFi anywhere in the house, including the basement. Here in the villages I have a Motorola modem/router combo that I purchased at Best Buy and it works just fine. I don't have a WiFi irrigation controller in the garage so I couldn't tell you if there would be issues but my phone is connected to WiFi in the garage as well as the yard.

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Your question appears to me WiFi, not internet.


I would recommend your own router, not one offered by an internet provider.


When you by a WiFi router, "over do it".
If the router says good for 2000sf, get something over 3000sf.
Get dual band: 2.4 GHz & 5 GHz.
5 is faster, 2.4 goes thru walls better.
Some doorbells, cameras, etc., only work on 2.4.
I like Linksys. I have WRT3200. Did have WRT1900 with no issues.

Ditto as above.Mine is also elevated 5 feet. I have a Arris Surfboard i may try to eliminate modem rental.

I have Comcast with my own Arris modem and a Linksys 8300 router. Have wifi cameras, doorbell, light bulbs, and garage door. Everything works great. Have a Rachio irrigation controller yet to be installed.

I have the erro mesh WiFi system. Total of 5 modules thru the house. You could have more or less depending on your coverage and needs. Installed it in our Ohio home in 2016 then installed it in our Villages home last year. Very pleased.
My WiFi devices are 35 plus and growing. Ring cameras, Ring security, Rachio irrigation controller, WiFi locks on doors, smart TV's, light switches and more.

What village/location? That could possibly be a factor. I'm using a Tmobile home unit, since I travel as well and just take the thing with me.

Everybody I talk to that has the CenturyLink at $49 a month seems pretty thrilled for a static installation.

I have a Mesh system up north as well with NEST all over the place. I am considering a static CenturyLink connection here as well with NEST everywhere.

I wouldn't bother running CAT6 here - you're talking busting into the wall and running cable everywhere. My work in your northern home - just depends on how easy it is to get into the walls from above or below. I used to to alarm systems a long time ago that were all wired - what a pain!

Let us know how it all works out and what you choose!

I use a eero mesh router in my NC home. It is 3,600 square feet. I use a Motorola cable modem router in my home in The Villages. It is 1,650 square feet. No problem with 100% coverage plus front porch and lanai.

Any mesh router will work great... we get good coverage everywhere including outside around the pool.

A lot depends on your home layout. We don't need mesh at our CYV. An Asus AC1900 is fine.

As for "smart items" in our main CYV.

-Nest Doorbell
-Chamberlain Wifi Garage door opener
-Hunter 6 zone PRO-HC 6 wifi irrigation controller
-LaView wireless NVR with 5 cams. Cameras are wireless but still had to run AC to them.
-Honeywell Wifi thermostat
-Flume Water monitor - Mounts out at the street, alerts to suspected leaks.
-Got an august for the dead bolt but never installed it. I do have a keyless entry though. I'll put the August at our other CYV when we finally get done renovating it.

In our NJ house we got wifi capable washer and dryers, but that's so silly, I never bothered to connect it. The notifications seem a little too personal. "Hey, dummy, I'm washin over here, maybe try not to get so dirty next time"

I have spectrum for my internet - you can go month to month. I pay for cable now, but will cancel and go to 100% streaming

Thermostat is a NEST - i used Munns to install. Buy the thermostat from them and they warranty it

I replaced my hunter irrigation controller with this
Hydrawise | Smart Wi-Fi Irrigation Control
I used TLC to install

I have a combination lock - did not put a WiFi connected lock in yet - not sure if i need it or not. They run through batteries quickly.

Located south of 44 in Marsh Bend, using Spectrum. Homes are prewired with Coax and CAT-6 ethernet in each room. Some even have 2 of each.

All cables left unterminated in the low voltage box.

Rather than locate router in low voltage box as some do, mine is in the front office bedroom of our Designer Iris.

I too am a techie. Spectrum charges an extra $5/mo to enable the wifi in the router, and I did not enable, as I planned to use a mesh network.

I have 4 TP-Link M5 mesh hub/routers with one connected to Spectrum router in the office. One in living room media cabinet, one in kitchen, one in MBR, and one in garage. 2000 ft home, and overkill ������.

TPhLink has additional security features that help prevent access to suspected websites.

In living room media center and office, I added ethernet switch added to the mesh hub so I could have hard wired connection to the devices there.

I have Ring doorbell at front door.

I overdid things as I use WiFi calling for our two cell phones, and have great coverage everywhere.

Also have 3 Panasonic "Link-to-Cell" cordless phone handsets, leaving cell phones near the Panasonic base station.

No issues but have Blink and Arlo security cams as well as a few other PTZ cams from previous 4500 sq ft home in Oregon. Were full time so didn't really see a need to install them as neighborhood is very safe. We were out in the countryside in Oregon, so useful there.

Lastly, had an AT&T microcell, but AT&T wouldn't activate as they are trying to phase them out.

If you have any other questions, happy to try and answer them.

They all stink and there all expensive but the better of all evils is Xfinity

Use
 

Have a Motorola Router which I purchased, use AT&T box to attach phone to WiFi and
have a eero extender for the wifi to extend in the house. It works marginally well.:popcorn:

I’ve had very good luck with my new WiFi 6 router. The signal strength has worked so well that I didn’t need a mesh system.

I am not sure what you mean by “static”. If you are referring to a static IP address, I doubt there is anyone in The Villages who has a static IP address via CenturyLink. You can probably get one through a business account.

Usually the DSL and cable modems built in WiFi has a weak signal, and does not provide complete coverage to your home and the land around your home. In Minnesota, we had a one acre lake front property. The cable modem WiFi signal was way too weak to cover the two story home and basement, and almost no coverage outside the house. I added an Ubiquity access point, which I bought from Microcenter. Microcenter doesn’t have a Florida store, but has an online store.

The Ubiquity access point provided strong coverage to the whole house, which was about 3,700 square feet in size, and almost all of the land around the house. The WiFi signal was a little weak at the farthest point from the house by the lake shore. I thought about adding a second Ubiquity access point to cover the backyard by the lake better, but I never got around to doing that.

I had two Orbit B-Hyve 12 zone sprinkler controllers at the Minnesota house for two 12 zone sprinkler systems. The Orbit B-Hyve sprinkler controller is the best choice for a WiFi sprinkler controller. It is aware of the weather conditions and can automatically rain delay the irrigation. It can easily be monitored, controlled, and programmed from you smart cellphone or computer. The B-Hyve controller comes in a 12 zone model, and less zone models. The 12 zone model is about $100, which is dirt cheap for a WiFi smart sprinkler controller. I think it’s smarter to buy the 12 zone model because it’s only about $20 to $30 more expensive than the smaller zone count model, because it gives you the flexibility to expand your zones in the future.

One more important device to consider buying is a Internet sensing electric power switch. The reason to buy the Internet sensing switch is that occasionally the cable modems, DSL modems, and camera systems lose their Internet connectivity. The DSL or cable modem then has to be manually power cycled. If you’re a snowbird, you’d have to call someone to drive to your house in Florida or in the snow belt state to manually cycle the power. The Internet sensing electrical power switch eliminates that hassle, since the Internet sensing power switch automatically pings Google, Yahoo, and other sites. When the Internet connection is lost, the switch power cycles you DSL or cable modem, which fixes the problem. The switch also logs the switching operations. Usually, the switch power cycled my Minnesota cable modem about 2 to 4 times a month. The Internet sensing power switches cost about $100, and are sold at the 5G Store online.

At the Florida house, we have Frontier optical fiber Internet service, which is 500 megs up and down, with no data caps. In Minnesota we had Comcast, which was 300 megs down and 12 megs up. The higher “up” speed is very helpful for the encrypted cloud automatic backups for all our computers, iPhones, and iPad. It’s about $80 a month for the 500 meg service, including a landline. It costs $30 more for 1,000 meg up and down service, but so far, we don’t need the faster speed. We went over the 1,200 gig Comcast data cap once and almost a second time in Minnesota. In Florida, Frontier doesn’t have a data cap, which is nice.

In the Florida house, I changed out the Rainbird dumb sprinkler controller with an Orbit B-Hyve 12 zone smart WiFi sprinkler controller. My Frontier WiFi doesn’t cover the whole house, so I’m going to buy an Ubiquity access point to fix that problem. I haven’t noticed any need to do a power cycle on the Frontier device yet after buying the Florida house last December, so I haven’t bought the Internet sensing electric power switch yet.

Another thing you should do is to buy and install a SunPass toll transponder on you vehicle. They cost about $6 and you set up the SunPass account online. It’s a no brainer to have a SunPass. You get a discount on tolls and you don’t have to stop, and hassle with keeping coins in your car. Some exits don’t have a “cash” toll option. On weekends, the cash line can be over one mile long on the Skybridge that connects St Petersburg to the south. The SunPass users don’t have to wait in that long line, plus they get a discount on the toll! It’s helpful to prepare yourself for the tolls. There’s a lot of toll roads around Orlando. There’s a lot to do and see when you drive all around Florida!

Thanks. Village of Bradford. Plan to go with Spectrum. Doesn't sound like I need to use the access point hook up in the ceiling.

Thanks Mike

Too much info
 

I’m thinking that providing too much detailed product info may make one vulnerable to hacking.

I will say that up north I have a much larger house with 3 floors, approximately 4500 sq ft. It has minimal Ethernet wiring. Early on I went with one of the most popular mesh networks and it has worked great. 4 mesh modules. Have Wyze cameras (work great and inexpensive) both inside and outside and a video doorbell. Stream television. Security system that can be turned off/on through the internet.

Here in The Villages our current home is much smaller. As such I have a current 2.4 / 5.0 router. It covers the home with no problems. Stream television. Both up north and here I have the same brand DOCSIS 3.1 modems. Installed a video doorbell (different brand than up north) and have Wyze cameras.

I have OOMA for a land line that we transport back and forth — we are getting so it is seldom used and may be getting rid of it.

Wife doesn’t want WiFi controlled thermostats so I have weather WiFi temperature/humidity controls (LaCrosse) both places. They work okay once setup but difficult to get them to link to WiFi systems.

Have not ventured into WiFi controlled door locks or sprinkler control yet but may be doing so this year.

M2; help me here. How can one stream without cable service?

Is the Flume water monitor hard to in stall? How long does the battery last ?

I have Spectrum, for both Internet Streaming and Cable TV channels.

Just the basic 200Mbps service. I don't use Spectrum's additional $5/mo to use their WiFi. It was a separate charge for my service plan.

Another comment indicated use of a cellular hotspot. I have one of those, too for traveling, or when Spectrum has issues.

The WiFi connected washer and dryer are actually pretty smart ideas. They could remind you to move the clothes from the washer to the dryer, instead of sitting wet in the washer all day. But using a Timer app on the cellphone would serve the same function.

I’m looking forward to the day where the washer and dryer will be one unit. When the washing is completed, the drying process would begin. No moving clothes from the washer to the dryer. There must be a technical reason why a washer/dryer cannot be built.

The remote control thermostat is a good idea that we installed in the Minnesota house, but not in the Florida house. We have two HVAC systems in the Florida house, so I’d need to buy two of the WiFi thermostats. One benefit to having two HVAC systems, one for the master bedroom suite and the other for the rest of the house, is that you have a backup system if one of the systems breaks down. The zoning is nice too, so that the bedroom can be set cooler at night, without having to cool the whole house as much. But we’re still waiting for the whole house natural gas electric generator to be installed. If the utility power has an outage, only the water and natural gas will be working.

The water sensors are a good idea. I had water problems in the Minnesota house when We were gone for a long time. After that, I just shut off the water main as a precaution, before leaving the house for a long time period. Murphy’s law, if you’re going to have a water leak problem, it always waits till you’re away from the house for a long time period!

We haven’t done the combination door locks in the Florida house yet. I’ll have to buy four of those keypad locks.

The Obit B-Hyve smart WIFi sprinkler controller will pretty quickly pay for itself because it automatically automatically rain delays when rain is in the forecast or is very likely, by reducing your water bill. I control and monitor the system from anywhere with my iPhone. The Orbit B-Hyve sprinkler control also as screw terminals for the wires, not the lousy pinch wire connectors. I’ve tried several WiFi smart sprinkler controllers, and the Orbit B-Hyve is hands down, the best, and also the least expensive.

Wifi
 

The size of you home here will affect how you lay out your network. If you are buying a new built spec home with the smart package don't get too excited. They only punch down for phone outlets and it is bare minimum cat cable. The block in the garage low voltage panel is a phone block not a ethernet block. For some reason no ethernet jack in in the living area near the cable outlet. Most outlets in the bedrooms are located in a place inconvenient for network usage. They are set up typically for telephone convenience. If you are building your home you can have the ethernet upgraded when designing the home.

The easy solutions are put a 5 or 8 port switch in the low voltage panel in the garage. Terminate the ends on the cables that are in the panel. Identify the cable you will use to back feed the switch in the garage panel. Put your modem in that room with a 4 port switch to feed from the modem and back feed the switch in the garage. You can now punch down any ethernet outlets in the walls. There are two places in the home that have cables run that are not terminated at all in the home, one in the living room ceiling & one over the kitchen cabinets near the refrigerator. You will have to pull new cat6 and install ethernet outlets in some places where you may need them ( living room, lanai, garage).

I know all this sounds a bit much but if you are tech savvy its not a huge project. You can get a local electrician or handyman to pull the new drops for you if you don't want to attempt this. I spoke with a local company they wanted about $159 for an interior wall, $259 for an exterior wall. I pulled the drops myself. Toughest part is getting to the low voltage panel to feed the new drops, inconvenient but not impossible.

The key to total reliable coverage is having your mesh system wired to ethernet and placed strategically through the home. In our home one pod in garage, one on lanai, one pod in front bedroom/office,& main router in living room.

We use spectrum for internet (400 Mbps) they supply the modem at no cost (no data cap). I used all TP Link equipment, TP Link Deco X20 (3 units) & an Archer AX6000. We are cord cutters so stream all TV we watch, Ring security system, ring cameras, smart light and switches throughout the home, Amazon Alexa devices in every room. Absolutely zero issue with the WIFI. We have coverage on any area of our lot slowest connection speed 80 Mbps.

There are newer versions of the deco systems out now that are somewhat faster. I like the decos because you can add more pods if needed, and they support 2 way communication on WIFI with dedicated streams. Deco X20 specs: Qualcomm’s Networking Pro 400 chipset, the Deco X20 is powered by a 1GHz quad-core processor. It carries 4GB of RAM and 1GB of solid-state storage of its firmware and commands. Able to connect up to 150 devices, the Deco X20 has an AX1800 rating, meaning that it's rated at a peak throughput of 1.8Mbps.

I hope this helps.

Single unit washer and dryer
 

We had a single unit washer dryer in our motorhome, took forever to do a small load of cloths. Im sure the technology has improved since then. Here is a link to 2021's best all in one machines.
The 7 Best All-in-One Washer Dryers of 2021

I use Comcast high speed really good but prices keep going up and an looking at others in order to change! Streaming is becoming popular

In 5000 sq ft home we use Netgear Orbi WiFi 6 mesh router and companion unit to get coverage to lanai, pool area, much of the yard, garages and even much of our driveway. Comcast/Xfinity (Spectrum is not an option for us). I did not try with just the router alone, but it might work. Best Buy sells and supports, so it would be easy to buy, try and return if necessary. I buy Best Buy for audio video equipment and appliances, and I use Geek Squad when I don't feel like being solely responsible for my own installations. I pay an annual fee and receive discounts and preferred on site and telephone service that more than pays for itself, at least for me.

I ran cat. 7 and cat. 6 to SMART TVs. I use Tivo and Apple TV. I use small network switches to connect TVs and other devices to internet. I do this to eliminate and maintain a fast, reliable connection without lag and without mismatch of audio and video.

I have a 3 mesh eero going to the 4th in the lanai, only because i want better wifi when i sit outside with sliders closed. The 3 mesh works fine in a 3400 sq ft + 500 ft lanai. Comcast service, my own comcast equivalent modem. surprised yours isnt working right.. maybe a switch of channels would help ? I do pair that with Google Nest cameras etc.

Hard to install? No. There are a few catches though. You can see mine here

Installing the flume at the water meter - YouTube

The batteries seem to last at least a year.

It's a great item. You get minute by minute water usage. Since we're not down there all the time, it's been great. 2 years ago we had 30,000 extra gallons of water used. A contractor had run over an irrigation head and broken it clean off. When that zone would come on, it ran at full pressure, right down to the storm drain. This would have caught it.

Sorry, I meant 'physical, installed' - didn't mean to imply static IP.

I have lived all over the world. There are combo Washer/Dryer units available. We've had a few. They all suck. Massively. Small and take absolutely forever to dry anything. Here in the US, we'd never put up with it. Plus we have more room to put stuff...

If you're looking for full coverage, you need a mesh system. Using almost any other type of Wifi extenders will result is significantly slower speeds. i.e. if you're getting 200MB, you'll most likely top out around 80-90Mb. This is because normal (read cheaper) wifi extenders allocate 50% of the bandwidth for a backhaul line. Mesh systems have a separate backhaul channel, so the full bandwidth is available.

I have a NetGear Orbi and love it. I pay for 200MB, and get 234MB over wifi - same as when plugged directly in. I have one unit at one end of the home, and the other at the other end. This give me full coverage in my outside area by the pool at full strength and speed. With a single router, the farther you get way, the more your speed will drop.

I have the lowest tier of Comcast internet (approx 25 Mbps down, 2 MBps up), a modem that I purchased, and a set of 3 Google Mesh Wi-Fi routers (primary one is above refrigerator). Just 2 of the Google WiFi routers are needed for excellent coverage throughout my 3500 sq ft block home and the lanai. I can stream at least 2 or 3 HD streams simultaneously.

I think a smart washer dryer makes more sense in our TV villas because the washer and dryers are in the garages. In our NJ home, the laundry room is just a sort of a closet off the computer room, so you're right there. I can see not checking on it in July since the garage gets toasty.

I've installed 3 of these Hunter wifi controllers. Work great! No issues. Also screw terminals.

Having any kind of digital door lock is great. Having a wifi version of it is a little more helpful, but just not requiring a key is where it's at. You can never get locked out.

Our NJ house has 3 zones and I have 3 thermostats, all controllable from my phone. No big deal really. One TV house is wifi the other is old school. I'll update that ancient one when we move full time to TV in a few months. All four can be checked and updated from anywhere you have an internet connection. It's great to see what's going on when you're not there.

Wiring closet
 

Spectrum 400 mb service, ubiquity Edge 4 router, netgear gigabyte router and 8 port gigabyte switch, 1 POE used for a ubiquity long range access port in the ceiling center, no signal problems, 2000 sq ft begonia. all rooms hard wired, tv streaming directly from router, to eliminate the switch for sharing. . .

Most houses are wired with Cat 6 for phones, just the outlet is RJ11, can be easily changed to an RJ45, same in the wiring closet. Mine was also punched down for telephone, and was just cut and RJ45 put on the end in the wiring closet, not a big deal anymore. The biggest issue is the space with the oem watering controller