WiFi Dongle Settings

I have two GE inverters and so I also have two WiFi Dongles. I have noticed that the Access Points from both devices are set to operate on WiFi channel 2, and no matter what I do I cannot get it to change to any of the other channels. In theory this could make it difficult to connect to them, given they are right next to each other - although I don't think these APs are used for anything other than set-up (are they?).

Has anyone else been able to change the AP channel?

(I also noticed that you don't need to connect to the dongle Access Points, to be able to log in to dongles. As long as you are on the same network, you can simply type in the IP address/addresses in your browser, which can be found/seen in the GE app: Settings=> Preferences).

.....Oh, I have just twigged. The dongle APs are how the app gets its data, when you select 'Home', so there does seem to be a good reason why we should have them operating on different WiFi channels.

ToothyChris the channel will be determined by your access point on your network, not the dongles that act as both access point and slave device (you can turn off the access point facility)

Thanks angelfire. I can see what you are suggesting, but surely if the dongles receive (i.e. from my home WiFi router) and transit (i.e. the Access Point) on the same channel (as selected by my home WiFi router), they would not give you an option to select which WiFi channel you want to use, in the user interface.

I have a basic understanding of WiFi channels, but I am not a network expert. But I do have a good background in RF engineering - enough to know that having my home router and two dongles with AP activated, all on the same RF channel, is less than ideal. But I'm happy to be educated by anyone with more knowledge than me!

If I turn off the dongle Access Points, I assume that would prevent the app from being able to use 'Home' mode.

ToothyChris no the only reason for the dongle to be an access point is to set it up essentially. Once it’s configured to your home network it’s no longer needed. But if you do leave access point on make sure you change the default password, otherwise someone could access your network. Or at least freeload off your broadband.

Thanks. Yes, we had spotted the open access a few days after installation, some weeks ago - so that was quickly tied down with a password.

Which setting turns off the AP? I can't see anything obvious, looking around the dongle user interface.

Our inverters/dongles often seem to lose contact with the cloud, so I am wondering if one dongle is struggling to receive on channel X (from my home WiFi router), because the second dongle is also transmitting on the same channel X only 1m away (as is the AP from the first dongle).

ToothyChris channel shouldn’t make a difference. I have loads of devices on WiFi on the same channel sometimes very close together (touching at times)

Is the signal strength good in both locations?

Anyway you can’t change the channel by device unless you have more than one access point and force them to have different channels. The dongles are not working in access point mode when on your home network.