Van WIFI & Mobile Data -- How I Done It --
I keep on meaning to get this thread started . . . . Today is the Day.
this all started from having to share my data with the kids on long drives so they could you there Tablets whilst on the move, or remote from our Home WIFI.
We also used this setup when holidaying or camping - again to keep the kids amused with Pepper Pig videos on YouTube.
The Kids are now much old and have their own phones with data and are no so interested in Pepper Pig anymore, its more SnapChat and Insta . . . . apparently Facebook is for "old people" ie the mums & dads of the millennials !!
These days i use WFI in the van for a number of things:
The Media Nav unit can connects via WIFI for updates and MEDIA CONTROL.
we have a Google Home device in the Van, - which is cool.
The CAMVUE DashCam connects to the cloud via the wifi, for remote connection and cloud storage
We have RING cctv on the van that connects via wifi, - cloud recording
we use the vans wifi when at work mobile offering the guest wifi.
we use the wifi is the phones data signal is rubbish.
we use the wifi hotspot when camping for Tablets and other IOT devices that like internet.
etc etc etc . . . . .
Lets have a look at - How We Can Do It -
for WIFI in the van i use a USB 4G WIFI Dongle . . . like this one.
(i did have it in the glovebox, but have now installed in in roof lining by roof lights - works fine with reception etc)
.
i had it plugged into 12v USB charger .at first . . like this Anker one i had.
.
.
but now I've hard wired it with a 12v / USB power converter.
.
at first i had it running from the IGN only . . . . so it was only on when driving etc . . .
but now I've moved it over to a Leisure battery feed . . . so its on 24/7
i can now hook up the RING camera and BlackVudash cam to the cloud . . . as well as conect the Victron kit to the cloud.
You need to get a SIM card to put in the dongle. . . .
either a PAYG sim with DATA . . . . or just call your existing Mobile phone provider and ask for a second SIM to share the data from your existing account.
here is an example of a PAYG data SIM . .
EE - 90days/3mnths - 6GB 4G data for the wifi - £16.25
.
plug it in, set a wifi password etc , get online - job done.
Then just connect the Media Headunit to the vans wifi, then connect your phone/tablet to the wifi as well . . .
down load the VW Media APP on your phone/tablet - control the HU.
not too hard to setup. =]
*****************************
fwiw I've got one of these too . . .
similar thing, but has a built in battery and will last most of the day.
so if in the van, connect it to a USB feed thats on the IGN ,. . . . then when engine is off this unit will keep the wifi going on its own battery power . . . (for 1-2day depending on use and signal strength)
when the van is restarted the internal battery recharges . . via USB
we have it on holiday etc so the kids can share the wifi and internet . . . i just drop it into my ruck sack . .
keeps the Yoofs happy =]
.
.
that was then . . .
we have not got a free SIM card as part of out Virgin Media TV package at home . . . . so what swapped out the PAYG Sim for that.
I keep on meaning to get this thread started . . . . Today is the Day.
this all started from having to share my data with the kids on long drives so they could you there Tablets whilst on the move, or remote from our Home WIFI.
We also used this setup when holidaying or camping - again to keep the kids amused with Pepper Pig videos on YouTube.
The Kids are now much old and have their own phones with data and are no so interested in Pepper Pig anymore, its more SnapChat and Insta . . . . apparently Facebook is for "old people" ie the mums & dads of the millennials !!
These days i use WFI in the van for a number of things:
The Media Nav unit can connects via WIFI for updates and MEDIA CONTROL.
we have a Google Home device in the Van, - which is cool.
The CAMVUE DashCam connects to the cloud via the wifi, for remote connection and cloud storage
We have RING cctv on the van that connects via wifi, - cloud recording
we use the vans wifi when at work mobile offering the guest wifi.
we use the wifi is the phones data signal is rubbish.
we use the wifi hotspot when camping for Tablets and other IOT devices that like internet.
etc etc etc . . . . .
Lets have a look at - How We Can Do It -
for WIFI in the van i use a USB 4G WIFI Dongle . . . like this one.
(i did have it in the glovebox, but have now installed in in roof lining by roof lights - works fine with reception etc)
.
i had it plugged into 12v USB charger .at first . . like this Anker one i had.
.
.
but now I've hard wired it with a 12v / USB power converter.
JZK Car Power Converter DC 12V to 5V: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics
Free delivery and returns on eligible orders. Buy JZK Car Power Converter DC 12V to 5V/ 3A Voltage Converter with Dual USB Adapter Connectors for phone charging car audio radio etc at Amazon UK.
amzn.to
.
at first i had it running from the IGN only . . . . so it was only on when driving etc . . .
but now I've moved it over to a Leisure battery feed . . . so its on 24/7
i can now hook up the RING camera and BlackVudash cam to the cloud . . . as well as conect the Victron kit to the cloud.
You need to get a SIM card to put in the dongle. . . .
either a PAYG sim with DATA . . . . or just call your existing Mobile phone provider and ask for a second SIM to share the data from your existing account.
here is an example of a PAYG data SIM . .
EE - 90days/3mnths - 6GB 4G data for the wifi - £16.25
EE PAYG Triple SIM Card Preloaded with 6 GB of 4GEE: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics
Free delivery and returns on eligible orders. Buy EE PAYG Triple SIM Card Preloaded with 6 GB of 4GEE Data at Amazon UK.
amzn.to
.
plug it in, set a wifi password etc , get online - job done.
Then just connect the Media Headunit to the vans wifi, then connect your phone/tablet to the wifi as well . . .
down load the VW Media APP on your phone/tablet - control the HU.
not too hard to setup. =]
*****************************
fwiw I've got one of these too . . .
similar thing, but has a built in battery and will last most of the day.
so if in the van, connect it to a USB feed thats on the IGN ,. . . . then when engine is off this unit will keep the wifi going on its own battery power . . . (for 1-2day depending on use and signal strength)
when the van is restarted the internal battery recharges . . via USB
we have it on holiday etc so the kids can share the wifi and internet . . . i just drop it into my ruck sack . .
keeps the Yoofs happy =]
.
.
that was then . . .
we have not got a free SIM card as part of out Virgin Media TV package at home . . . . so what swapped out the PAYG Sim for that.
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