Wifi connection question

[andee1517]

Not sure if anyone has come across this. I have when trying to connect to a temporary wifi before connecting to my home wifi when setting up devices. I'm currently trying to connect my new a/c to my wifi. You first need to connect to their temporary wifi. I see that network and when I click on it, I get a pop-up on my phone that says Stay Connected or Allow Switch. I actually tried both and still doesn't connect but just wanted to check to see which one I am supposed to select. I guess I am not understanding what each choice means? I had problems when setting up my camera on wifi but that turned out to be a conflict with my VPN and I resolved that and it connected fine. Not the case here. Thanks.

 

[B. Diddy]

Sorry, can you clarify -- are you saying that you're connecting a smart air conditioning unit to your home wi-fi network? What do you mean by having to first connect to their temporary wi-fi? Do you mean that you have to connect your phone to the AC unit's own wi-fi that it's broadcasting (kind of like how drones often connect to a phone)?

What's the brand and model name/number of the AC unit?

 

[andee1517]

Sorry, can you clarify -- are you saying that you're connecting a smart air conditioning unit to your home wi-fi network? What do you mean by having to first connect to their temporary wi-fi? Do you mean that you have to connect your phone to the AC unit's own wi-fi that it's broadcasting (kind of like how drones often connect to a phone)?

What's the brand and model name/number of the AC unit?

Yes that is what I am trying to do. I just had Friedrich in the wall AC's installed. I've come across this when setting up my Echo devices (without screens) and my Blink camera too. I will try to get screenshots to show what I am talking about.

 

[Roadijeff]

The A/C technician should have connected that before he left - it should be a part of the installation process. I had an American Standard HVAC system installed last year and they configured everything for me, including programming up to 4 daily temperature zones. I don't recall them having to connect the controller to a temporary WiFi before they logged into my home network.

Call those guys back, it's part of their job.

 

[spARTacus]

I think a lot of networking devices nowadays (eg: your new a/c thermostat) incorporate that concept you are dealing with into their design, so as to keep cost down. I think the devices initially broadcast their own wifi SSID and you need to connect to it and then browse to a certain IP address webpage for the device in order to complete the full setup and configuration (or worse you have to download a specific app and use that for the process). Then, once you are in and completing the setup, you pick and choose to have the device use your home's wifi SSID (sometimes using the saved details for such that your phone has). Once that is all done as part of setup, then I think the idea is that the device will join your home's wifi and it will no longer be broadcasting it's own wifi SSID, and then you'll be able to browse to the device's webpage on your home network, no different than for example the webpage for your home router or printer. Or, if it sucks you'll have to also keep using a specific app to access the device's functions.

The a/c installer should have left you with some information about this, if they did not take care of all of this themselves. Or, google the make and model of your thermostat to see if you can find some setup instructions.

 

[andee1517]

The A/C technician should have connected that before he left - it should be a part of the installation process. I had an American Standard HVAC system installed last year and they configured everything for me, including programming up to 4 daily temperature zones. I don't recall them having to connect the controller to a temporary WiFi before they logged into my home network.

Call those guys back, it's part of their job.

Not these guys. They installed it and turned it on and showed me how to change the filter. That is the extent of the install they do. Wish it was like yours!

 

[Hardhat Harry]

I think a lot of networking devices nowadays (eg: your new a/c thermostat) incorporate that concept you are dealing with into their design, so as to keep cost down. I think the devices initially broadcast their own wifi SSID and you need to connect to it and then browse to a certain IP address webpage for the device in order to complete the full setup and configuration (or worse you have to download a specific app and use that for the process). Then, once you are in and completing the setup, you pick and choose to have the device use your home's wifi SSID (sometimes using the saved details for such that your phone has). Once that is all done as part of setup, then I think the idea is that the device will join your home's wifi and it will no longer be broadcasting it's own wifi SSID, and then you'll be able to browse to the device's webpage on your home network, no different than for example the webpage for your home router or printer. Or, if it sucks you'll have to also keep using a specific app to access the device's functions.

The a/c installer should have left you with some information about this, if they did not take care of all of this themselves. Or, google the make and model of your thermostat to see if you can find some setup instructions.

spARTacus has it right. I just went through this with my Rheem "smart" water heater, with help from Rheem tech support.

 

[andee1517]

I think a lot of networking devices nowadays (eg: your new a/c thermostat) incorporate that concept you are dealing with into their design, so as to keep cost down. I think the devices initially broadcast their own wifi SSID and you need to connect to it and then browse to a certain IP address webpage for the device in order to complete the full setup and configuration (or worse you have to download a specific app and use that for the process). Then, once you are in and completing the setup, you pick and choose to have the device use your home's wifi SSID (sometimes using the saved details for such that your phone has). Once that is all done as part of setup, then I think the idea is that the device will join your home's wifi and it will no longer be broadcasting it's own wifi SSID, and then you'll be able to browse to the device's webpage on your home network, no different than for example the webpage for your home router or printer. Or, if it sucks you'll have to also keep using a specific app to access the device's functions.

The a/c installer should have left you with some information about this, if they did not take care of all of this themselves. Or, google the make and model of your thermostat to see if you can find some setup instructions.

Exactly. It is part of the set-up process for some smart devices. If it weren't for the fact that I was forced to get these two models because they are the only ones that fit in the sleeves I have, I would have gone with something different. But don't want to stray off topic by griping about these units. So today I tried it again and as you said, I go to a website for the set-up. Got the wifi signal broadcasting for the ac and switched to it's "temporary network/connection" in my wifi settings and now I know longer get the box that pops up and says "allow switch or stay connected." Now it just connects but without internet so I cannot proceed with the set-up. What should happen is it connects to the Friedrich signal being broadcast and then I would connect back to my home network. That is how it worked with my other smart devices during set-up. I've read complaints from other owners of these particular models about not being able to connect to wifi so I'm not alone . Will have to reach out to Friedrich again on Monday. So extremely frustrating!!!