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Base Unit Installation

How to install the Lumo base unit

Updated over 2 months ago

Included Parts

  • 1 x base unit enclosure

  • 2 x WiFi antennas

  • 1 x cellular antenna (directional)

  • 1 x mesh antenna

  • 1 x LMR240 coaxial cable

  • 4 x enclosure mounting brackets and screws

  • 1 x extension cable

Where should the base unit be installed?

  • Locate base unit within reach of 110/120v AC outlet

  • Consider placement of antenna when choosing mounting location. Mesh antenna must be within line of sight to first set of valves or relay

    • Included antenna cable is 4.5m long

Final Assembly and Installation Process

Step 1. Install antennas according to the image below. An LMR 240 coaxial cable must be used for the mesh antenna (center) in order to separate the mesh antenna (by at least 1 foot) and reduce interference

Step 2. Plug the power cord into the AC outlet. Verify that the power light on the front door of the enclosure illuminates

Step 3. Open the enclosure (using the lock combination labeled on the front of the base unit) and press the power button on the underside of the main PCB one time (hold down for 1 second, then release). The internal LEDs next to the half-moon PCB should illuminate

Note, base units only need to be powered on using the button once after shipping. They will automatically reboot in the event of a power outage

Step 4. Once the router has booted up, log in to the LumoInstaller WiFi network (credentials provided privately to official Lumo installers) on a mobile device or computer

Step 5. On the same device, open a speed test app or website like Ookla

Step 6. Consider where the closest cell towers might be located, often by a major roadway or on a mountain peak. You may also use a third-party cell tower map such as cellmapper.net (third-party platform, suggestion only) to identify possible tower locations

  • Lumo’s cellular modem defaults to T-Mobile and its partner providers. Filter for T-Mobile towers when searching cell tower maps

  • There may be multiple cell towers in range. Start with the tower with the fewest obstructions and/or shortest distance

Step 7. Hold the cellular antenna (large, white rectangular box) approximately where it will be mounted permanently. Face the front of the antenna toward potential cell towers. Run a speed test while holding the antenna steady in each direction. The orientation with the fastest upload and download speeds is the direction in which the antenna should be permanently mounted (the cellular antenna is directional, not omnidirectional, so its orientation matters)

Note: if the router won’t connect to the cellular network or if speeds are slow (less than 5mbps), contact Lumo Support to discuss enabling Verizon

Step 8. Mount the cellular antenna in the preferred orientation using the including mounting bracket

Step 9: ⚠️ Disconnect from the LumoInstaller WiFi network before proceeding! ⚠️

Step 10. Use the Installation tool (under Field Tools) in the Ops Center to configure the base and other devices for the farm. Follow the steps as indicated in the Ops Center until Step 5 (Install Devices) and verify that the base unit shows an online status

Note: There are two distinct Serial IDs that need to be scanned during setup in the Installation tool

  • When configuring the network in Step 2 of the Installation tool, scan the barcode for the router Serial ID, located on the back of the base enclosure

  • When scanning devices in Step 4 of the Installation tool, scan the QR code on the inside cover of the base unit

Step 11. Once Step 4 (Scan Devices) is completed and the configuration has been deployed, mount the mesh antenna (blade-style antenna connected to the coaxial cable on the center port) in a location with line of sight to the nearest Lumo devices (valves or relays)

Warning: ⚠️ Even if the devices are directly adjacent to the base unit (e.g. all together in a pump house), the mesh antenna must still be positioned at least 1 foot away from the WiFi antennas mounted on the top of the enclosure ⚠️

Step 12. Use the 4 included mounting brackets and screws to mount the base enclosure to a panel, wall, or other viable space

Step 13. Close and lock the enclosure. Remove the label with the lock combo and discard (Lumo retains lock combo records for future servicing)

Step 14: Ensure the cable glands at the bottom of the enclosure are tightly sealed

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