Renogy App only works with WIFI, WHY?

[RogerR]

Was boondocking with no wifi or phone service and could not open my Renogy app to watch my bluetooth battery and solar.

No Can Do the app only works when on the net.


Totally illogical to require internet/phone service to use an app to see solar & battery while boondocking. Just thought I would warn you. One of the reasons I went with Renogy was bluetooth information.

If anyone has a work around I would appreciate knowing.

Still love my Lithium battery and solar. Ran my furnace all night and solar in shade recharged easily.

PS if you want Renogy get a referral code from someone like me and you will get 7% off your purchase.



When I emailed for help here is the Renogy response
"

The DC home app needs to have a Data or internet connection for it to work.

For further concerns, you can respond to this email or you can give us a call at (909) 287-7100. We're open Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 3 pm PST. You can use the Case ID provided below as a reference.

Case Number: 0041XXXX ( I added Xs)

"

[Yooper906]

Originally Posted by RogerR

Was boondocking with no wifi or phone service and could not open my Renogy app to watch my bluetooth battery and solar.

When I emailed for help here is the Renogy response
"

The DC home app needs to have a Data or internet connection for it to work.

It would seem that Renogy would make the app Bluetooth so off grid campers could use it.
For me personally, the app would be worthless.

[RogerR]

The app works on Bluetooth to the battery and to the MPPT. So I agree that there is no reason to have to be on the net to see Bluetooth.

In fact, when I searched for Bluetooth devices I "saw" the solar and battery on my phone but the App won't work to translate the Bluetooth data into information on the app.

As Spock said "illogical".

[EJH]

Wow. That is a major disappointment. I have the same Renogy battery and MPPT w/BT. I have not been with a cell signal yet. If they do not update the app, I will end up adding a smart shunt of some kind.

[JimD]

I have the Renology Rover 40 series MPPT controller and it came with a bluetooth module. Works great! I don't know which controller you have but maybe the bluetooth adapter would work if your controller has the RS232 port described.

[RogerR]

Thanks, I have the BT1 plugged in and there is a single light indicating ( I think) that it is working. I have never seen the comm status indicator working but when I do have wifi or cell service I can see the battery and solar/mppt on my app. But I have to pair them every time.

[JimD]

Originally Posted by RogerR

Thanks, I have the BT1 plugged in and there is a single light indicating ( I think) that it is working. I have never seen the comm status indicator working but when I do have wifi or cell service I can see the battery and solar/mppt on my app. But I have to pair them every time.

I have to pair mine every time after shutting off my bluetooth or not using the app. Not a big deal as it seems to always pair as it is suppose to.

[EJH]

Originally Posted by JimD

I have to pair mine every time after shutting off my bluetooth or not using the app. Not a big deal as it seems to always pair as it is suppose to.

I never have to pair mine. The app always finds the MPPT and battery.

Does your app show the status without a cell or wifi data connection to the app? I haven't been in that situation yet, but will simulate it next time I am at my trailer.

[JimD]

Originally Posted by EJH

I never have to pair mine. The app always finds the MPPT and battery.

Does your app show the status without a cell or wifi data connection to the app? I haven't been in that situation yet, but will simulate it next time I am at my trailer.

I don't think there is anywhere in the controller or app to set up a wifi connection.

[EJH]

Originally Posted by JimD

I don't think there is anywhere in the controller or app to set up a wifi connection.

What Roger was saying at the start of this thread was the Renogy application itself required a data connection to function. I haven't confirmed this, as I've always had cellular data when I've camped. Next time I'm at my trailer, I'll try turning off cellular data and seeing if the Renogy app still shows my controller and battery status.

[RogerR]

I turned my phone to airplane mode and then turned on only bluetooth. Both battery and solar came up on list along with a neighbors car and a few other items. But when I started DCHome from the airplane position (no wifi or cell tower connection) it would show a fault code (1005) or something similar. In another post one user said he would start DCHome while in town and it would "see" the battery when he go back to his RV in a dead spot as long as he kept DCHome app up.



I wonder if Renogy uses the data to track customers or has some reason to require the app to handshake with the company before you can use it???

I don't want you to think i am paranoid but a lot of platforms are gathering personal data for marketing or other reasons.

[RogerR]

Here is a little more info. I got a live person on the phone and asked how to do use DC Home app when camping where there is no signal, wifi or cell phone at all.

He replied that you have to go on the DC Home app while in range and then leave it on and active and it will work when you get to your campsite.

Yeah, really, if I want to check my battery I have to leave an App up all the time? Not a very sane system if you boondock in the mountains.

He did offer to suggest this be patched in the future.

[Leedillion]

Huh. I have the Renogy Rover 30 amp and connect with only Bluetooth in the Idaho mountains that definitely don’t have Wi-Fi or cellular.