Hi there,
In order to boost wireless signal I would like to install an external antenna for my : Opta Wifi but seems that Opta doesn't have external wireless antenna support.
Do you have any suggestion for example using the AUX port with L2C wireless ?
Is that possible ?
Many thanks for your help.
Matteo
I would also like the ability to add an external antenna, in my case, to improve the WIFI reception when the PLC is housed inside a stainless steel cabinet.
Did you ever get a response to your initial question?
Thanks, Ben.
You could add a separate Wireless Access Point DIN module that has external antenna connectors to your cabinet. You'd then connect the Opta to the WAP using Ethernet or WiFi. Won't be cheap though.
For new installations maybe a fiberglass cabinet is the way to go.
My solution is to disassembly opta and simply solder RP-SMA connector and relocate resistor between internal and external antenna circuit.
Post about opta disassembly here.
RP-SMA connector that i'm using: here.
Antenna that i'm using: here.
How it looks:
I don't remember value of resistor that needs to be relocated from internal to external antenna circuit, it can be just jumper (0 ohm).
It works for me really well, wireless range is much better and it is perfect for solutions where e.g. Opta needs to be closed inside metal case or something, so you put just the antenna outside and PLC is inside.
There are two main problems with that:
In my case these arguments are less important, i really need that to work like this.
Hello there, I am not there yet, but will also need the option to connect external aerials, WiFi as I am inside stainless steel cabinets, no other choice.
So will look to SMA or other connection, or to send to a slave wifi unit to resend, could cause network echo's and other issues. Need to give that some thought. All the best..Peter
Is the project in the metal cabinet powered by a battery inside the cabinet? Are there any openings in the cabinet for ventilation?
Hi there.
No...the cases are IP67 68 rated...water proof and sealed.
The plot thickens...
We do ATEX cases as well......
https://hprsolutions.co.uk/water-sensor-iocto-dual
We have the ability to bulkhead pass through the 2.4ghz....but you need a connection to start with...
Thank you for coming back.
Best regards Peter
With best regards,
++447944041081
@remmerthp, you went from asking for help to posting a link to a product you appear to sell. Which is it? Do you need help? Or do you need banning for being a spammer?
Hello there.
I am a designer of new equipment.
We build things that do not exist yet.
We will take existing scientific equipment and enhance it to work in environments it currently cannot.
We specialise in the counting of particle contamination in fuel...like diesel and aviation fuels... we have built a number of world firsts.
We also need to be able to get these new designs to communicate the results and display them to the operators over a wide range of platforms.
I have chosen to use Arduino for this purpose.
I have a LinkedIn profile....I am the technical director for Reynolds Contamination as well as HPR solutions. We work with many clients and many are competitors amongst them selves...so we have to be tactful who and what we tell to whom, as we integrate many of their equipment.
I am not a coder...so having to learn...
I need the equipment to be able to talk on the Internet so customers can access data remotely from anywhere in the world.
So I have a lot of learning to do. I used to work for Symbol technology and we ratified the WiFi 802.11 b standard....we helped to write it. WiFi is not my first rodeo.
There are many ESP32 chips that support external aerials...and I have a few of these...but cannot use in an industrial environment.....so the opta series will be my weapon on choice going forwards.
I contacted Arduino about a year ago to ask questions when the opta was first launched...but we were not ready.
To get ATEX approved is difficult and a long process.
So yes...it is a very serious question...
https://www.solexy.net/hazardous-areas-equipment/explosion-proof-antenna-barriers/
I have a solution to get through a steel case in an explosion proof environment...but i need a connection to start with.
Does that help...
With best regards Peter
With best regards,
++447944041081
There must be someone in a company that large who can add connectors to a length of coax cable! If not, learn how to do it.
This topic was automatically closed 180 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.
