Mifi forced to EVDO and heating prob?

rrm64 · EVDO Newbie Joined: 09 Mar 2007 Posts: 7

I have the Verizon model and have noticed that it seems to be much less sensitive to EVDO than older devices. In places where I used to get reasonable signals on EVDO, I now revert to 1xRTT a lot.

It also may be due to heating - I had my Mifi in a certain spot today and was getting a 5-bar EVDO signal for about 20 minutes. I then noticed all of a sudden that my browsing was slowing greatly and checked the admin page to find that now I was back on 1xRTT. I picked up the Mifi and noted that it was getting pretty warm. I'll turn it off and let it cool and see if it goes back to EVDO then.

So, I wondered if there was a way to FORCE EVDO and disable 1xRTT. Yes, I know that I'd lose all connectivity if there was not an acceptable EVDO signal, but I can live with that.

Anyone seeing the same pattern?

Randy

Alex · Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2009 9:40 am Post subject:

nothing in mifi admin allows for that. you may be able to figure it out using vzaccess manager while tethered, but i doubt it.

the number one reason for the heat is going to be weak signal.

maybe the tower you normally attach to, is having issues.
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rrm64 · EVDO Newbie Joined: 09 Mar 2007 Posts: 7

I just finished three rounds of testing in the exact same spot, and it appears that the heat might have something to do with it. I unplug and turn off the Mifi and about 10 minutes later restart it with a full 5-bar EVDO signal. It lasts about 15-20 minutes while heating up, then switches to 1xRTT with a 2-bar signal and will not go back to EVDO at all until I let it cool off again.

If anyone else is seeing this, then maybe there's a firmware change that can eventually address this. If not, then maybe I need to exchange mine for another as it may be defective.

Randy

Alex · Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2009 10:44 am Post subject:

it shouldnt be necessary, but as part of your troubleshooting, why not try some forced cooling? stick a fan in front of it? allow air to go all around it somehow? (over/underneath/etc)
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rrm64 · EVDO Newbie Joined: 09 Mar 2007 Posts: 7

It's not scientific, but it seems that the pattern is consistent. When the Mifi heats up, it drops the EVDO and the signal shows -117db for EVDO. Once it cools, it connects to EVDO again and the signal is -80db. The unit has never moved.

It could still be the tower, but it has done this for 3 weeks straight now. I'll try a different location in a different city tomorrow and see if I can duplicate it.

Randy

arizonauser · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 17 Nov 2006 Posts: 23

jejagua · EVDO Newbie Joined: 19 May 2009 Posts: 2

Nothing scientific, but my experience over the weekend indicates heat significantly reduces performance. Very high latency and low throughput. I was unable to use the MiFi very long via WIFI while it was charging via the wall charger. Taking the unit off the charger yielded perfect results, including consistently high signal strength. I was not in a location with poor signal.
I reproduced this problem several times, so there is no doubt in my mind.

I have not encountered heat problems associated with low signal or while connected / charging via USB...only while charging via the wall charger..

arizonauser · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 17 Nov 2006 Posts: 23

Hmmmm. Good point, jejagua. I will share this: I live in metropolitan Phoenix, AZ. Twice my MiFi shut off by itself. Both times the unit was hot. Once, it was on my dashboard in the sun... yes the air conditioner was on, but the dash board is always hotter than the rest of the car inside.
The other time that it shut off, the MiFi was in the car "pocket" under the dash board, not in the sun, but the car was parked, and turned off, at noon.

In Arizona, I am used to having to cool electronics with external methods, just to use them in their intended ways. For example, I had a laptop burn up while turned on, sitting on the front seat of my car, while I left the laptop on for only 20 minutes in my parked car.

All that to say, I am going to start paying attention on the MiFi to the relationship of speed vs temperature and vs type of power supply.

rrm64 · EVDO Newbie Joined: 09 Mar 2007 Posts: 7

Final report.

Got new MiFi from Verizon. It is marginally better, but still reverts to slow service more than the USB720 with the Cradlepoint.

Oh well, only one day a week am stuck in the place that performs the worst. Funny that when I do have EVDO RevA, it is 5 full bars.

AlbertZeroK · EVDO Newbie Joined: 18 Nov 2008 Posts: 2

I completely agree, heat effects the Mifi, ever more true when using and charging he device.

As I sit here typing, my Mifi is siting on top of an ice pack wrapped in a paper towl - no kidding - and my 1X connection problems are now resolved. I'll be building a cooling rig for my Mifi.

I have a second Mifi comming into the office this week, so perhaps this is only an issue with the first run, as I have one of the very first devices.

But, yeah, speed and heat are related BIG TIME! Oh and Verizon's Answer, the device is not ment to be used 24x7, it is ment to be charged and then used, but not both at the same time. BS!

hrdc · Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 3:14 pm Post subject:

I haven't noticed too much heating in general on the MiFi, especially when I have the iPhone hooked up to it. But when I hook my laptop up to it after about 15 minutes or so it starts to get a lot warmer than when hooked up to the iPhone.

traveler007 · EVDO Newbie Joined: 05 Nov 2009 Posts: 3

Humm. I am looking into buying one of these from 3GStore.com.

Does anyone have the MP1800 or MP1800CP and does this cause the overheating issues as well?

Can you run this attached to a usb power source with the battery pulled out of the unit? And does it still get hot?

You shouldn't charge the battery beyond 100% so continuous use after fully charged should be without the battery plugged in or just using the battery. (same for a laptop, iphone etc) If the device gets hot because you simply plug it in and use it 100% of the time then I can see why.

arizonauser · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 17 Nov 2006 Posts: 23

traveler007 · EVDO Newbie Joined: 05 Nov 2009 Posts: 3

Thanks for the really quick reply BTW.
Humm...

Can the device be run plugged into the wall without a battery installed? I understand it has a 100% shut off, I am still curious if it will actually work that way. (eventually batteries do die)

I would be in the same group of "excessive user". Though I think the main immediate use will be to replace my iphone ATT connection with WiFi over sprint. I am planning on going to a standard cell phone.

Could you define "excessive use"?
Would live streaming audio at 96kbps while surfing the net and ocassionally watching a U tube video be what makes it overheat? Or is it more intense things like bit torrent, server, and using a live video service like Sony playstation video store? What about 2 people actively using the web and email?

More importantly... What about a live video conference over services like WebEx. That is actually a problem if it does. I am required to participate and if I am hosting, it is unacceptable to be disconnected mid presentation...

From what I understand one cannot have 2 devices without having 2 contracts.

What I am looking at is the differences vs a solution like the Cradlepoint PHS300 and a Sprint U760. Which would achieve similar results but be rather bulky to carry around. For $300+ for devices and a 2 year commitment it means that I need to make certain I am buying the right device from the get go.