New Pool Build - OmniLogic Controlled - WiFi or ethernet connection?

[LazyPoolGuy]

Hi All, I'm sure I'll have plenty of questions about our pool build. Steel walls are in place and concreted in, and then left that way over the winter until they come back in the spring (We're in Ontario, Canada).

Installers will be putting in an OmniLogic controller, but I'm wondering if I should be planning to run ethernet network cable outside to the pool shed or just use the WiFi adapter? I'll be close enough to the router to know the signal will be fine, so maybe it's just preference, unless there's a reason to use one or the other?

Thanks.

 

[CrystalRiver]

With ethernet, if the cable gets damaged, you have to pull a new cable. A bit of a hassle even if you have a nice straight run through an otherwise empty conduit. With WiFi, there's no such issues. As long as you 100% know your signal will be good, I would not even consider hard wiring.

 

[gingrbredman]

I'm a hard wire kinda guy, so always say if you can run an ethernet cable easily, run it. Yep, WiFi works fine most of the time, not a bad choice. But if you are already thinking about an ethernet cable, and can run one, you are already leaning towards hard wire anyway.

You could worry about damage to the ethernet cable, but you could also worry about damage to the other cables out there. Lights, landscape, etc. Run it through conduit where exposed and it should last you forever.

I ran my hard line out the side of the house, into a junction box, then up to the panel. That grey pipe on the left is where my ethernet comes to the panel.

 

[roxnatwist]

Mine is hardwired. I figured I would go ahead and have the wire run when the pool was being built. I still use it but always have the option of going wireless if I decide to. I prefer having the option of both.

 

[LazyPoolGuy]

Thanks all, I'll plan to run an ethernet cable, but will probably get the wifi antenna as well as it's not too costly and have it just in case.

I'll run it in a conduit, but does anyone know if it should be an outdoor grade ethernet cable? Or as long as it's in conduit a regular cable will be fine? Thanks.

 

[PoolBrews]

I was in IT for 40 years, and always USED to prefer a hard wire connection. With the advent of the new routers and speeds, especially mesh systems, I find I can get the same speed with a wireless connection, so I don't bother with hard runs anymore. The cost of getting the cable, running it into the house, and protecting it outside is a waste of time and money. If you were connecting a dozen devices at the endpoint, I might say do it - but for a single connection? No way.

If you get the wireless connection, pay attention where they place the antenna at. My builder installed it midway up the side of the box.
The antenna didn't clear the top of the enclosure, and anytime an antenna is next to a steel surface, signal gets degraded significantly. My initial connection was only at 55% strength. I moved the antenna to the top of the box with the antenna completely above the box, and signal strength went to 92%.