Needed - Operating Voltage Chart

[BigBob]

It seems fairly clear that all the radios can be powered via Pins 4,5 + and 7,8 - of the CAT5 cable, but what seems totally unclear is the operating voltage limits for all radios (min and max VDC).

I see lots of posts that answer this question on a model-for-model basis, but no where does it seem to be consolidated.

It would be very helpful if a simple min-max operating voltage chart could be posted. We manufacture wireless video systems; many of which are solar powered or even battery powered. Knowing min and max operating voltages for all the equipment is crucial. I suspect a number of people at Ubiquity know this off the top of thier heads, so creating a simple chart should not be a big challenge.

Thanks.

Bob

[Dave-D]

Ubiquiti has determined the absolute min/max
voltage for AirOS radios to be 10.5 / 25.0Vdc
at the radio's input jack. Normal operating
voltage is 12 to 24Vdc at the jack.

Simple as that.

Yes: some people have been able to operate
some radios at lower voltages; you're on your
own if you do that; not approved. Dave

[BigBob]

Hi Dave,

Perfect; thanks.

Bob

[Ron]

Hi Dave,

Perfect; thanks.

Bob

Watch out. If you go over 25V, it will likely fry.

[Dave-D]

Um, right, Ron. That's why 25 is absolute
maximum. There's a voltage-limiting circuit
that cuts in at about 25.5V . Dave

[rockhead]

Um, right, Ron. That's why 25 is absolute
maximum. There's a voltage-limiting circuit
that cuts in at about 25.5V . Dave

Cuts in and does ????? What ? Anybody anybody? Beuler ? Anybody?

[Dave-D]

Rockhead, why this churn?

The circuit tries to keep the voltage
below 26 and will overheat and destroy
itself if presented with a continuous
over-voltage--meaning parts fry.

Instead of worrying about what the
circuit does, why not avoid the
over-voltage? Dave

[jcrites2008]

Anyone know the operating range for all the non-M series devices?

[PJ]

Bob,
The Air-max devices
BulletMX
NANOMX
LocoMX
RocketMX
NanoBridge

Power in Voltage range
Recommended: 12VDC to 24VDC

Absolute Min Max
9VDC to 26VDC

Note: Hardware has TVS protection diode at the input power that will trip and limit the Voltage if it exceeds 26VDC, protection diode will work up to 36VDC, anything higher than 36VDC will damage the protection diode and will Not allow the unit to power up any more.

[InoX]

bulletsM and NS5M works at 9v but NS5 will lock and only a power reset will help.

[PJ]

InoX,
Yes that may happen if your cable run is relatively long for the 9VDC Voltage in, Also keep in mind that as Vin lowers the current draw will go up. Ideally for Long Ethernet cable runs 24V is the way to go. There are several tools available to calculate Voltage drop on Ethernet cable, Just need to know what Ethernet cable you plan on using.

[rockhead]

Rockhead, why this churn?

The circuit tries to keep the voltage
below 26 and will overheat and destroy
itself if presented with a continuous
over-voltage--meaning parts fry.

Instead of worrying about what the
circuit does, why not avoid the
over-voltage? Dave

File it under "Expiring Minds Want to Know", <grin>, of course the rational approach is to not go there. But once you mentioned some regulator circuit the expiring mind kicked in.

[Dave-D]

No, PJ, not correct.

Ubiquiti has determined the absolute min/max
voltage for AirOS radios to be 10.5 / 25.0Vdc
at the radio's input jack. Normal operating
voltage is 12 to 24Vdc at the jack.

Simple as that. Dave

[WHT]

There are several tools available to calculate Voltage drop on Ethernet cable.

For example.....????


Hold on...Let me open the gate to the garden path. I'll lead you down it.

[UBNT-Mike.Ford]

No, PJ, not correct.

Ubiquiti has determined the absolute min/max
voltage for AirOS radios to be 10.5 / 25.0Vdc
at the radio's input jack. Normal operating
voltage is 12 to 24Vdc at the jack.

Simple as that. Dave

Well 10.5 is a general number for stability, most devices will work below that, but cannot guarantee stability.

Thanks,

Mike

[jcrites2008]

Mike, can you tell me what the voltage range is for all non-airmax devices ie ns2, ps2?

Thanks,

Jason

[Dave-D]

Jason, the operating voltage for the
non-M radios is the same as for the
M-series: 12 to 24Vdc at the jack. Dave

[jcrites2008]

Jason, the operating voltage for the
non-M radios is the same as for the
M-series: 12 to 24Vdc at the jack. Dave

Thank you! Just want to clarify, by the jack you mean ethernet jack? Thx again.

[Dave-D]

Yes, the NIC jack (so-called 'LAN' jack)
on the radio itself. Dave

[mmiller]

No, PJ, not correct.

Ubiquiti has determined the absolute min/max
voltage for AirOS radios to be 10.5 / 25.0Vdc
at the radio's input jack. Normal operating
voltage is 12 to 24Vdc at the jack.

Simple as that. Dave

I've been watching this thread and I got an idea :icon_rolleyes:

My laptop has a network jack. In theory, could I run power to the proper lines in the jack from the battery and then hang a PicoStation off the lid with a direct Ethernet connection from my laptop?

I think that would be cool - a full watt radio with a 6dbi antenna powered by, and hanging off of, my laptop.

What do you think? :icon_mrgreen:

[WHT]

You can build a quick test jig using a 8-pin modualr jack and plug. Insert it in series with the etherent cable and test from the exposed jack pins. Mine has two banana jacks for connection to voltmeter.

[WHT]

What do you think? :icon_mrgreen:
AirModding

[mmiller]

You can build a quick test jig using a 8-pin modualr jack and plug. Insert it in series with the etherent cable and test from the exposed jack pins. Mine has two banana jacks for connection to voltmeter.

That's a really good idea. I could test if it works (on the actual battery voltage) before making the laptop mod. So, basically what I'm doing is creating the world's first Power over Ethernet laptop :icon_lol:

It's Engenius - oh wait! It's not, it's Ubiqiuti :icon_mrgreen:

Am I correct in assuming that if I plugged my new POE laptop into a standard Ethernet cable connected to a switch nothing bad would happen?

Also, I'm as yet unfamiliar with the wireless networking side but I suspect I would be able to run the PicoStation in a mode that would allow me to get wifi through it over the Ethernet cable?

This is cool ! :icon_cool:

[WHT]

Am I correct in assuming that if I plugged my new POE laptop into a standard Ethernet cable connected to a switch nothing bad would happen?I'm not even gonna go there.

Also, I'm as yet unfamiliar with the wireless networking side but I suspect I would be able to run the PicoStation in a mode that would allow me to get wifi through it over the Ethernet cable?Yes, use the Pico as a Station.

[mmiller]

I'm not even gonna go there.

I was under the impression that POE used the un-used pairs in a cat 5 cable.

On the other hand, .....I could just install a switch in the feed to the LAN jack though. That way I could turn the power on & off at will.

[carullos]

I have many NS2 and NS2 loco and NS5 loco.

None of them work hooked to my POE-24 that I have on my desk to program radios. M5 and rockets work all day long, the others just power on but I can't connect to them and bring up the config page.

Am I hallucinating or do the older 802.11 gear not always work reliably at 24v?

Thanks -Scott

[WHT]

Am I hallucinatingNot if you're boiling your mushrooms for less than 30 minutes.

[kijoma]

hi,

not the first i am afraid (to power via the laptop), we do it all the time, it makes alignment a lot tidier as we can take a netbook up the ladder/mast etc.. and plug it directly into the radio..

you will need to watch out if you plug the same laptop into a device that terminates the unused pairs into resistors tho.. can get smelly... for a while anyway..

some cheap switches actually ground those pins!

[kijoma]

I have many NS2 and NS2 loco and NS5 loco.

None of them work hooked to my POE-24 that I have on my desk to program radios. M5 and rockets work all day long, the others just power on but I can't connect to them and bring up the config page.

Am I hallucinating or do the older 802.11 gear not always work reliably at 24v?

Thanks -Scott

24V on short runs of cable is not good news, many switching power supplies have peak voltages somewhat higher than the nominal..

we have seen the same effect..

[mmiller]

hi,

not the first i am afraid (to power via the laptop), we do it all the time, it makes alignment a lot tidier as we can take a netbook up the ladder/mast etc.. and plug it directly into the radio..

you will need to watch out if you plug the same laptop into a device that terminates the unused pairs into resistors tho.. can get smelly... for a while anyway..

some cheap switches actually ground those pins!

And here I thought I was breaking new ground! If you haven't guessed, I'm a WiFi newby. I love the idea (changing my laptop's NIC to POE) and I'm gonna do it. I'm also going to take your advice though an built a simple cut-out switch into the circuit. That way if I'm connecting a real wire I can just throw the switch first and not worry about flame or fire down the wire :icon_smile:

[WHT]

24V on short runs of cable is not good news, many switching power supplies have peak voltages somewhat higher than the nominal..
Especially on start up where they don't start regulating until they see the load.