Bought a RT-be92U then found your website

[Tired_Eyes]

After reading a few threads I realize I may have bought the wrong router. I needed another mesh router so I thought I'd try this one. Currently I have a AX88U as the main router with a AX55 and AC86U as meshes. Can I use the be92U as my main router and make the 88, 55 and 86 as meshes? Since the 92 only has 4 ports, need one port for direct desktop, one for network switch and that leaves 2 backhaul lines. I figure one for the 88 and one for the 55. I'll need to backhaul the 86 wireless. Any problems with that or should I spend another $300 for a second 92 or $400 and buy the be88U ? The 86 will only be used to connect my driveway cameras wireless. Any guidance will be greatly appreciated. Pretty much a beginner at networks.
Thanks in advance, Dave.....

 

[Tech9]

Just connect your “meshes” to the switch.

 

[jzchen]

You can connect the AiMesh nodes as @Tech9 kindly mentioned to the switch. It's pretty flexible:

[AiMesh] How to set up ASUS AiMesh or ZenWiFi Mesh Ethernet backhaul under different conditions ? (Advanced setup with network switch) | Official Support | ASUS USA

 

[Tired_Eyes]

Thank you both so much, I will try that now. Think I will buy another 92 [ use as a mesh] and use my 88 [use as a mesh] in the basement.
Dave.....

 

[Tech9]

Think I will buy another 92

If you continue reading this website you'll probably sell the first 92 and go with something else.

 

[glenw]

I have a RT-BE92U on the latest Merlin beta frimware. It's working very well, no issues, just under 50 devices connected.

 

[jzchen]

Thank you both so much, I will try that now. Think I will buy another 92 [ use as a mesh] and use my 88 [use as a mesh] in the basement.
Dave.....

Typically I try to avoid buying 2 of any specific model router. If there is any issues with a new firmware release or if there is some specification I end up realizing is lacking, then I avoid the "double trouble".

Right now a ZenWiFi BT10 costs $299.99 on the US ASUS site. IF you are okay not getting MLO between BT10 and BE92U I'd highly prefer the dual 10 GbE...

 

[Tech9]

Typically I try to avoid buying 2 of any specific model router.

This is what happens when you expect trouble from previous experience. Buy better quality equipment instead.

 

[Wisiwyg]

Thank you both so much, I will try that now. Think I will buy another 92 [ use as a mesh] and use my 88 [use as a mesh] in the basement.
Dave.....

And you'll also find recommendations to use Asus stock firmware on meshes with Merlin on main router.

 

[Tech9]

For someone not asking any questions about 3rd party firmware - stock Asuswrt on all units.

 

[Tired_Eyes]

Sorry guys, yes stock asus firmware, no merlins on any. It's up and running no problems so far with just 31 clients so a small network. And it was great to get my Rheem water heater back on line after separating the 2.4 to 2.4 loT. All my cameras and water heater love me now. That's guys for the help. Dave....

 

[OzarkEdge]

Rheem water heater back on line after separating the 2.4 to 2.4 loT.

FWIW, I recently connected a Rheem hybrid water heater via its app to a standalone RT-AX86U. As is common with IoT devices, the heater uses WiFi Direct to first connect its app for setup... then once you provide it your 2.4 WLAN credentials, the heater proceeds to connect to your 2.4 WLAN and disables its WiFi Direct AP.

However, the app setup would not find the 2.4 Guest WLAN while Smart Connect was enabled using same 2.4/5.0 SSIDs. So, I temporarily disabled the 5.0 Guest WLAN and then the app setup proceeded to connect the heater to the 2.4 Guest WLAN without issue and disabled its WiFi Direct AP. I then re-enabled the 5.0 Guest WLAN to return to using same SSIDs for 2.4/5.0 Guest WLANs. The heater is now happy using the 2.4 Guest WLAN with Smart Connect enabled using same 2.4/5.0 SSIDs. When VLANs arrive with the next router, I'll configure a dedicated 2.4 only IoT VLAN SSID.

Side note... apparently the app and heater communicate by way of the Rheem cloud so works fine on a Guest WLAN with Internet access only.

This was my first experience with a hybrid water heater... it uses a heat pump to move heat energy from the surrounding ambient air to the water, and exhausts cold air like an air conditioner. When necessary (very cold ambient air and/or peak demand for hot water) it uses a traditional electric heating element.

Here's the 'perfect application' note... this hybrid heater is in an alcove workshop space in an unconditioned garage in Phoenix AZ, that gets HOT daily many days of the year... it blows out cold air like a small window air conditioner, cooling the workshop space (and garage) while heating water... very cool!

OE

 

[jzchen]

I also have a Rheem WiFi water heater, but much older model. Thank you both for sharing how you got it to work.

It's been a while now that it has not given me trouble. You can set your mobile device/phone app to geolocate and it's supposed to go into away mode after moving say 1 mi away from home... That said on many occasions I've been away and found the water heater still heating to the home setting....

 

[bluzfanmr1]

Sorry to continue being off topic, but a heat pump water heater is on my radar to replace the electric water heater that came with our recent home purchase. Both are 6 years old, so it's a question of replacing the water heater proactively or waiting. Though expensive, there are a lot of incentives that bring the cost down to at most the same price as an electric replacement. I could also tap into the natural gas service running through my front yard but that would come with additional costs, though it would be cost effective long term.

I bought a heat pump dryer when we moved in a few months ago since the house is all electric and I was still exploring conneting to the natural gas service. Always had natural gas before so I was trying to minimize electricity usage. Wow what a great dyer it has been so far. It actually uses less energy cost than a gas dryer would. And no vent is needed. Couldn't be happier and I'm hoping this joy will continue with a heat pump water heater.

Anyway, welcome @Tired_Eyes to the forum. Sorry again for going off the rails here.

 

[OzarkEdge]

I also have a Rheem WiFi water heater, but much older model. Thank you both for sharing how you got it to work.

It's been a while now that it has not given me trouble. You can set your mobile device/phone app to geolocate and it's supposed to go into away mode after moving say 1 mi away from home... That said on many occasions I've been away and found the water heater still heating to the home setting....

I'll have to ask my daughter how she likes her heater... she researched and purchased it but decided afterward to have a plumber install it... decided it was more difficult to install than her garbage disposal and dishwasher!

The heater has leak detection that monitors the pan it sits in (or something). She travels and wanted the app to keep an eye on it... the previous one died like they do, wetting the slab floor, so she's being cautious... not really necessary in that garage in that heat... plus any flood would just flow out and down the driveway, no harm done except waste water in a desert.

OE

 

[jzchen]

Here in California this house was finished in 2004, and built in was recirculation system so hot water comes out almost instantly from faucets, to conserve water. At least for the tank style water heaters, don't expect replacements to be the same size as the original, (they got bigger due to increased insulation to increase efficiency (CA requirement). No stranger to leaks that eventually spring due to the constant water flow. Gotta use a propane torch to solder these pipes. Unless you're good at that, I highly advise get a pro/plumber. Even the copper flex hose is tricky! I've "kinked" them requiring repurchase and had them leak the most.

Replace as necessary....

 

[degrub]

Use MAPP gas instead of propane with appropriate burner tip. Propane has too low an energy content for best results.