Extending my system into an area of poor reception
I have been running a Tado system for about 2 years now. I originally developed the current system from simple beginnings with just a downstairs temperature controller and a wireless receiver. I now have both upstairs and downstairs radiators separately controlled with 4 smart radiator valves upstairs and 6 smart radiator valves downstairs. This system is Tado V3. Barring the very occasional loss of signal to the wireless receiver this system has worked well.
I was not able to connect the Master Bedroom to the system as, I believe, it is in an extended part of the house and I think that an RSJ blocks the signal from the bedroom’s smart radiator valve to the upstairs wired smart thermostat. I still have the smart radiator valve that was intended to control the Master Bedroom and would like to try again to connect it to the overall system.
My thoughts are that I might fit a second wired thermostat in the master bedroom to separately control the radiator in that room, thus getting around the RSJ blocking the signal (if that is indeed the cause of the problem). My thinking is that this wired thermostat somehow becomes a slave to the main upstairs wired thermostat. Does this sound like a feasible work around and if so your advice on how to proceed would be appreciated.
Many Thanks
John P
Answers
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@JohnPerriam Hello. IIRC, the TRVs talk to the Internet Dongle using the IEEE 802.15 and 6LowPan standards that are designed for low-power/low-data-rate IOT devices, with a range of up to 10 metre. If you are having wireless range issues reaching the TRV in the master bedroom, I can't see how adding a wired thermostat in the room would help?
A summary of user comments to improve the wireless range:
- Position the Internet Dongle higher and vertical.
- Locate the Internet Dongle centrally in the home.
- Extend the wiring to the Wireless receiver and locate it nearer to the Dongle.
Three methods to relocate the Internet Dongle in the home:
- Ethernet extension cable.
- Wifi extender with an ethernet port.
- Powerline adapter.
Suggestion … Use the 'Off-line scheduling' feature:
- Request the off-line scheduling feature from this forum and wait for confirmation that is enabled for you. The request is dealt with manually and could be a couple of weeks.
- Zones/devices in the App configuration. There is maximum of ten 'zones' and 25 devices. With 12 devices, you'll create the new Master Bedroom Room. To keep to ten zones, set one of the Rooms as 'Independent'.
- Schedule. Create your schedule for the Master Bedroom in the App.
- Mount the new TRV on one of the other rads. The 'off-line schedule' for the Master Bedroom should be downloaded to the TRV.
(I don't know if mounting the TRV is necessary. Nor how long the schedule download will take, whether that's an hour or a day?) - Dismount the new TRV and fit it on the rad in the master bedroom. The Room should show as 'off-line' and should be using using the 'off-line schedule' that you created.
Let us know how you get on.
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Hi Wateroakley
Apologies I have not replied earlier. We have had visitors over Easter and I have been totally distracted.
I can now start experimenting with some of the suggestions you have made.
I have already tried connecting with a powerline connector but do not find this a solid solution as the signal drops out.
The internet dongle is already directly connected to the router with an internet cable.
I particularly like the idea of fitting the new TRV to an existing radiator. Perhaps I could try this and then transfer the TRV to the Master bedroom and see if this connects more consistently to the upstairs zone. I understand this not exactly as you have suggested but the simplicity of the approach appeals.
I will keep you in touch with developments.
Thanks for the reply it is much appreciated.
Regards
John P
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Hi Wateroakley
We tried the first simple experiment with our unused smart TRV. We selected the closest upstairs radiator to the Internet Bridge and attempted to add the TRV to the system. In this position the TRV did not have any RSJ in between the radiator and the bridge. However, it struggled to pair and so we brought it much closer to the internet bridge which allowed it to pair. We then fitted the TRV to the radiator and added it to the system, but found that we could not change any of the scheduled settings.
Our problem is not that the RSJ is restricting the signal it is that this particular smart TRV has a very limited range about 2m. Our other smart TRVs have a very much greater range.
As this TRV was purchased about 2 years ago, we sadly, cannot return it.
I hope that our experience will allow other Tado customers struggling to add a smart TRV to their system, should consider that their problem may not be related to their home but possibly a TRV with a very short range.
Thanks for all the advice.
John P
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@wateroakley, can I ask how far can you extend the wiring from the boiler to the receiver, it would help me considerably if I could move it about 10-12 metres away?
Thanks & apologies for hijacking the thread.0 -
@Sn00ky Hello.
Assuming the wireless receiver is in relay mode, with mains voltages and a typical home. I'd suggest using 1.0 mm 5-core flexible cable and a 5-way junction box. Don't go for the cheaper 0.75mm cable.
The total cable run for our wireless receiver (relay mode) with 1.0mm cable is about 20-25 metres.
The voltage drop limit using 1.0 mm cable is going to be around 45 metre. Anything over 45 metre you'll be increasing the cable cross-section required and should consult a professional.
If your wireless receiver is using a low voltage mode, e.g. opentherm, best to refer to the boiler documentation for their cable recommendations.
We extended the cable run with: https://www.screwfix.com/p/time-3185y-white-5-core-1mm-flexible-cable-25m-drum/510jyand: https://www.screwfix.com/p/essentials-ip65-32a-5-terminal-weatherproof-outdoor-adaptable-box-93mm-x-55mm-x-93mm/15488
HTH.
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Excellent response, thank you0
