Wi-Fi Entenders/Repeaters with Chromecast - What's the best solution here?

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amurray

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#306763 19-Aug-2023 09:29

Hello,

I am looking to increase the wifi signal to a seperated 'sleep out' at my father house. The current signal drops out just as you approach the door.

He is wanting to use Chromecast in that room, however I am not sure if a Wi-Fi extender will use the same network seamlessly, or need to manaully connected to on mobile phone each time he enters the sleepout (if it's still picking up the main house signal by any chance?)

If his phone happens to hold the main house signal, but the back room is using the booster, I understand Chromecast may not work as they will be on different networks? Am I right?

He has a bedroom inside the house only a few meters from this sleepout, so I am looking to connect something there - unfortunately would need to use Wi-Fi instead of LAN as his house is a solid concrete base and running cables isn't too easy without running conduits etc. Same applies for relocating exising router.

Would the below item work so he can waslk into the sleepout, connect to Chromecast on his phone and start streaming? Or will he possibly need to 'reconnect' to the TP-Link wifi first? Any other similar product that would make it easier for an older non-technoligical person? (I will be doing the initial setup for him - he just wants it to be easy to cast from his phone when he walks into that room).

TP-Link RE305 AC1200 Dual-Band Wi-Fi 5 Range Extender | Harvey Norman New Zealand

Attached Imaged 1:
-Blue is exising router.
-Orange is where I am thinking to place the TP link (or similar device if you think something else is better)
-Red is the seperated sleepout currently getting no signal

Spyware

3767 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#3117913 19-Aug-2023 09:51

What cladding is on the buildings??

Spark Max Fibre using Mikrotik CCR1009-8G-1S-1S+, CRS125-24G-1S, Unifi UAP, U6-Pro, UAP-AC-M-Pro, Apple TV 4K (2022), Apple TV 4K (2017), iPad Air 1st gen, iPad Air 4th gen, iPhone 13, SkyNZ3151 (the white box). If it doesn't move then it's data cabled.

Delorean

654 posts

Ultimate Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#3117917 19-Aug-2023 10:17

I used to own a house and had the same issues.

The ultimate solution was a powerline Wi-Fi.

I am assuming your sleep out shares the same power meter. Otherwise it won't work

Powerline in essence enables you to connect a RJ45 between the structures, then you can have Ethernet or a access point with excellent coverage.

Referral Link: | Quic Broadband (use R142206E0L2CR for free setup)

Apsattv

2390 posts

Uber Geek

#3118336 20-Aug-2023 22:02

What is your existing router?

I have 2 deco X20 units in adhoc mode for my wifi... one on a high shelf and one near floor level on other side of house they cover half the street!

You can pick up a pack of 2 on Marketplace for around $100 - $150

Range extenders are not what you need.. You need mesh wifi

raytaylor

4017 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#3119985 25-Aug-2023 08:19

Avoid "mesh", avoid "extenders"

Use something like a powerline wifi extender (different from an extender that plugs into the wall)

TPLink WPA-4220kit

As long as you dont have three phase power (most homes dont) then they work well.

We have hundreds deployed to extend wifi out to sleepouts and granny flats.

Ray Taylor

There is no place like localhost

Spreadsheet for Comparing Electricity Plans Here

amurray

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#3120125 25-Aug-2023 15:21

Thanks for all your replies everyone!

He used to actually use a powerline setup in his old house but 'lost' one of the two halfs. Told me multiple times on the phone how he's pissed at the wife etc for losing it and told her what box to pack it in when they moved (about a year ago).

He had sent me a photo of the TP link part he still had to show me what he was using in the old house.

Anyway..I went up there to take a look, with a spare modem, ethernet cable etc to assess what would be best/possible with his house layout.

Standing next to the modem, and looking at the TP-link powerline plugged into the wall I said "oh so this is what you use to have"

His reply "No that's not it, it's in the sleepout"

.....

I say 'You sent me a photo of this though, TP-Link?'

He says 'Nah that's not it, I sent you what I have plugged in in the garage'

So yeah.... I tell him 'well this is the other half you've been saying has been lost since you moved a year ago!'

Gave it a reboot and was able to connect to wifi - but no internet access to the outside world. Odd. Checked the Tp_link again and found the ethernet cable was (already) plugged into the ONT rather than his router! He tried to say that was already here when he moved in. But then also told me how he signed up to Spark and they must have put it there. I claim no they wouldn't give you half of a powerline setup, and likely not plug it into the ONT instead of the router!

Tested his chromecast in the sleepout and all seemed to be working fine for the 2 further hours I was there!

So he is now very happy (and a little pissed that the 'lost unit' was sitting right there the whole time where it should have been) and this solution will do for now.

Plan B i any issues - I have determined it should be possible to get a Ethernet cable into the ceiling without too much fuss, then through an existing overhead conduit into the sleepout.

PS - The sleepout does have its on fuse/power box but still seems to work ok