How do I improve the wireless communication performance between the Gateway and watering device (i.e., TapLinker, ValveLinker)?

The video below contains valuable information and tips. Please take the time to watch it carefully. If your LinkTap watering device goes offline while you're away from home, this FAQ may help.

In the real world, the wireless transmission distance and communication performance between the Gateway and watering device are largely affected by building materials and environmental factors.

To increase the signal strength, the quickest way is to move the Gateway closer to the watering device. Please note that the Gateway can be hardwired to your home router, network switch, power network adapter, or WiFi extender with a built-in LAN port, whichever is closer to the watering device. The figure below shows how to bring the LinkTap Gateway closer to the watering device through the Wi-Fi extender.

Do not place the Gateway or watering device near any large metal objects, e.g., refrigerator.

If the ValveLinker must be placed in a valve box or below the ground, it is strongly recommended that an object (such as a wooden stake or brick) is used to lift the device as close to the valve box cover as possible in order to reduce possible wireless deterioration caused by soil.

Do not place the Gateway on the floor. Higher is better. If you live in a two-story house, placing the Gateway on the second floor will usually increase the wireless coverage.

Minimizing the obstacles (e.g., brick/rock walls, concrete floors, large metal objects, metalized window film, thick plant leaves, massive soil, etc.) between the Gateway and watering device can significantly improve the wireless communication performance.

To reduce possible interference, please try to place the Gateway over 60 cm (or 2 feet) from a power board, power cable and other electronic devices (e.g., video player, TV box, security camera, wireless speaker, audio device, 2.4 GHz cordless phone, baby monitor, printer, air conditioner, etc.). If possible, run your home Wi-Fi devices on the 5GHz band.

For a big house, a second or third LinkTap Gateway may be needed, so that each Gateway covers some of the garden taps. Currently, one user account can have up to six Gateways.

In rare cases, you may need to manually assign a channel to your Gateway to deliberately avoid the channels with interference. To do that, log in to your LinkTap app, then go to the Gateway Details page, scroll down, you will see a Scan Channel button. Click it to scan channels and then set a new channel for your Gateway.

Please note that an unstable wireless connection between the Gateway and watering device will result in higher power consumption (namely shorter battery life).

For further assistance, please email us at support@link-tap.com.