Octopus Home Mini

[Deleted User]

millie said:

What is the round push in button for on the front. When I push it in it does nothing. Thought it may reset or something to help with my connection problems

I would be wary of pushing buttons. Each communications hub can have at least 4 IHDs/CADs paired to it. Each device has to be paired by a DCC User (eg; a supplier or Chameleon/Hildebrand for their devices). If you reset the pairing, then the device will never work without the assistance of Octopus.

As stated above, the mini connects to the HAN by Zigbee wifi, and to your home wifi network. As described here by Octopus:

‘The Octopus Home Mini is a small, palm-sized device that beams live readings from your smart meter to our cloud-based platform Kraken, so we can show you up-to-the-minute smart insights via your Octopus Energy app.’

Edit: Google is your friend. 

Qyburn

mmmmikey said:

Is there a decent WiFi signal where the meter is? It might not be a pratcical solution for you but at least if you can make it work like that you'll know what the issue is.

The smart meter is in a fibreglass cabinet on one of the end gables. Outside the house. I've been trying the mini in the living room which is on the inside of that wall.

For test purposes I run an extension lead out of the window and put the mini right next to the meter. Obviously it can't stay there but would be interesting to see if if works. Home wireless is available there, but only just.

Swipe

Make sure your router is not just broadcasting a 5GHz only SSID. It might be better to separate them out to individual 2.4GHz and 5GHz SSIDs rather then having the router autodetecting.

Qyburn

That's it sitting outside now, I can see it registered on the home wireless on 2.4GHz (hostname "OCTO-CADLITE), its picked up an address from DHCP and responds to ping. But still not yet talking to the meter after 50 minutes.

Qyburn

Swipe said:

Make sure your router is not just broadcasting a 5GHz only SSID. It might be better to separate them out to individual 2.4GHz and 5GHz SSIDs rather then having the router autodetecting.

Roaming and association is actually client initiated, all the AP can do is attempt to bias a client which probes both 2.4 and 5. 

Swipe

Qyburn said:

Swipe said:

Make sure your router is not just broadcasting a 5GHz only SSID. It might be better to separate them out to individual 2.4GHz and 5GHz SSIDs rather then having the router autodetecting.

Roaming and association is actually client initiated, all the AP can do is attempt to bias a client which probes both 2.4 and 5. 

I prefer to keep mine separate as my microwave interferes with my 2.4Ghz. In some rooms I tend to use 2.4Ghz as the range is much better. So I sometimes flip to 5GHz temporarily when microwaving and then back again once I'm finished.

QrizB

Qyburn said:

That's it sitting outside now, I can see it registered on the home wireless on 2.4GHz (hostname "OCTO-CADLITE), its picked up an address from DHCP and responds to ping. But still not yet talking to the meter after 50 minutes.

Could be a fault with the mini then

Qyburn

QrizB said:

Qyburn said:

That's it sitting outside now, I can see it registered on the home wireless on 2.4GHz (hostname "OCTO-CADLITE), its picked up an address from DHCP and responds to ping. But still not yet talking to the meter after 50 minutes.

Could be a fault with the mini then

Could be, that's over two hours now. I've emailed Octopus but of course it's the weekend, and even during the week they probably won't see it as urgent.

One thought, maybe it needs to see the meter during the initial setup, and if it couldn't then maybe it won't find it at a later date. But if it can't reach the meter from inside the house that doesnt really help.

millie

[Deleted User] said:

millie said:

What is the round push in button for on the front. When I push it in it does nothing. Thought it may reset or something to help with my connection problems

I would be wary of pushing buttons. Each communications hub can have at least 4 IHDs/CADs paired to it. Each device has to be paired by a DCC User (eg; a supplier or Chameleon/Hildebrand for their devices). If you reset the pairing, then the device will never work without the assistance of Octopus.

As stated above, the mini connects to the HAN by Zigbee wifi, and to your home wifi network. As described here by Octopus:

‘The Octopus Home Mini is a small, palm-sized device that beams live readings from your smart meter to our cloud-based platform Kraken, so we can show you up-to-the-minute smart insights via your Octopus Energy app.’

Edit: Google is your friend. 

I have done the reset and still no joy its been spinning round setting up for 45 minutes. I will have to phone Octopus and ask them.

vic_sf49

I originally set the mini up, with it sitting on a windowsill, a few feet from the meter and IHD, but I didn't like where the cable ran. 

They're now plugged into a socket, that almost backs onto my electric smart meter, so about as close as you can get while being inside (normal brick construction with cavity wall).