I have a MAX BR1 Pro 5G with 42G antenna in my motorhome. I’m considering adding an AP One AX Lite to the interior. If I do, should I add a PoE injector or run 12VDC wiring in parallel to the data cable? I’m leaning towards powering via 12VDC:
No power wasted by boost/buck conversion.
One less device in the networking cabinet that produces heat, wastes space and presents a point of failure.
I would run the 12VDC wire all the way back to the networking cabinet, so that my master switch in there kills both the router and AP.
Am I missing any benefits of using PoE or any potential issues when powering the AP via 12VDC?
i like poe on boats and such because when you add other poe devices such as security cameras you already have the poe switch. an injector versus a 12v plug probably doesnt matter much. i’d consider ensuring proper fusing/breakers/stable voltage. on my boats all my network equipment is 12v even though AC power is pretty much on and available all of the time via shore power, generator power, or inverter. was just the easier / more stable approach for me.
As for stable voltage, do you think I need a boost/buck regulator and/or low voltage disconnect for the AP? The router (MAX BR1 Pro 5G) has a high tolerance of 10v-30V but I couldn’t find anything about the input voltage range of the AP.
I’m a fan of PoE switches… Mainly because I hate running dc power cable to devices and then running Ethernet to said device as well. If I can run one cable with power and data why not… But my personal pref…
If you don’t want a PoE Switch then just run a DC powered Poe injector… Fused as close to the power source as possible.
Tycon makes a 9-36VDC to 48V 802.3af/at PoE injector/inserter.
PoE out to your AP, data side to the router. .
You could still wire the supply side into your switches for physical management just make sure it’s fused. Close to the power source…
But your PoE inserter provides the correct voltage and current to your AP.
That is one problem, I cannot find any suitable PoE injector. The AP One AX Lite requires 802.3at (PoE+). For use in an RV with standard lead acid batteries where voltage drops as batteries drain and spike when the convertor or alternator kicks in, you want to cover the range of 10-30V to be safe. I could not find any PoE injector with those specs. At the point where I have to put a boost/buck regulator before the PoE injector it becomes less appealing.
If such a PoE injector would exist that would be awesome, do you have a a link?
Yeah, me too. All my network equipment and cameras at home are using PoE and it’s great. But in the motorhome the requirements are different:
There will only be a single wired device.
Space is scarce, so any device I don’t need is an advantage.
Heat can become a problem.
Small inefficiencies can drain the batteries faster (when not on shore power).
My thinking is that I have to run Ethernet anyway, and taping some DC wire to the Ethernet cable as I’m pulling it shouldn’t make that exercise much more of an ordeal, or am I wrong?
These are some of the systems I use for mobile vehciles…im a fan of the Din Rail setup.
The PoE brick from Tycon - I have seen that secured with everything from double sided tape, to Cable ties and I swear chewing gum at one stage. I understand your issue with space.
The good thing about the PoEs is they have an induild dc dc converter so fluctuation on input supply aren’t experienced on the device itself…
And yes I agree you certainly don’t want it draining your battery.
Cheers mate
Thanks, but the TP-DCDC-1248DX2-HP is unreasonable expensive (I’m seeing USD$166 on Amazon via third-party seller). The PROCET one is also just rated 12-48V like any other PoE injector I came across. Maybe this is OK, but I would feel more comfortable if it’s rated for 10V+ to be safe when the battery runs low.
Do you (or anyone else) know what the voltage tolerance of the AP One AX Lite is when powered via 12VDC? If I would know that it could handle ~10-30V I think wiring it directly via 12VDC wins. But if I’d need a boost-buck regulator to be safe then I’m leaning towards PoE, given I find a suitable, reasonably priced injector.