I currently have a Rocket M2 XM and Nanostation M2 powered by a ToughSwitch 5 port. Using Ubiquiti cable, I have a 45' run to the Rocket and a 20' run to the Nano. I went to the site today to deploy a Rocket M5 XW on a 120 degree sector. This configuration of nodes had all been bench tested and worked. At deployment, all three nodes powered up however the following occurred:
I am suspecting the problem is lack of power to the node at 100' cable length however seem to recall threads where guys have deployed up towers with the switch being in the shack. Is the I read that the 5 port ToughSwitch is rated at 11 Watts per port so should meet the demand of 8 watts for the M5. Has anyone run into cable length issues? Would the 8 port Pro be sufficient? My goal is to eliminate the multitude of POE devices and have sufficient power for at least three Rockets at this site.
Keith
- With the Rocket in port 1 it connected with all neighbor RF links and showed the IP addresses of the two dtd, M5 and NanoStation with 100% LQ and 0 NLQ The RF link from the Nanostation to a near neighbor, 400', worked.
- With the M5 Rocket powered by port 1, with about 100' Ubiquiti Toughcable, the M5 worked and the M2 Rocket and Nanostation showed as DtD but the M2 Rocket failed to communicate via RF to direct neighbors at 2 miles. Nanostation link, 400' worked.
- Eliminating the M5 Rocket, the other two work fine.
I am suspecting the problem is lack of power to the node at 100' cable length however seem to recall threads where guys have deployed up towers with the switch being in the shack. Is the I read that the 5 port ToughSwitch is rated at 11 Watts per port so should meet the demand of 8 watts for the M5. Has anyone run into cable length issues? Would the 8 port Pro be sufficient? My goal is to eliminate the multitude of POE devices and have sufficient power for at least three Rockets at this site.
Keith
K5DLQ has deployed a node up around 450 feet if I recall correctly, but I don't know what is powering that equipment.
Did you check your RJ45 connector terminations with a cable tester? It could be a poorly connected power wire. I have no trouble with the ToughSwitch 5-port at 100', even 150'.
Andre, K6AH
Yes, I did check the cables with a tester with everything testing okay. I have not tried a voltage drop or pin to pin resistance test with a multimeter however as I accepted the test from my cable tester. The simple voltage test on the cable tester does show that voltage is present.
How many devices and what type are you hanging on your switch? Have you ever run into a situation where you have approached or exceeded the power capacity of the five port switch
Keith
I have 3 Rockets and a Raspberry Pi being powered off the Toughswitch. I have never suspected the Toughswitch was unable to supply the needed power.