Kessil AP700 connect/network problem

BeMoto · Mar 21, 2020

Trying to connect my Kessil AP700 with my Samsung Note 8. I tried to connect with WiFi but get errors and never can connect with the light fixture. I uninstalled the app and reinstalled it and get the same results.

I did by this second hand but dont see that being a proplem. Maybe I'm wrong.

I have somehow connected a few times but if I power down the lights I have to redo everything over again, it's very maddening. I going to try my tablet when it's done charging.

I'm really confused on why I'm having a hard time with this, to be honest I'm angry I spent the money on this light at the moment.

Any advice or guidance would be appreciated.

divewsharks · Mar 22, 2020

Are you trying to connect the lights to your WiFi or are you trying to connect your phone to the Kessil broadcast SSID?

BeMoto · Mar 22, 2020

divewsharks said:
Are you trying to connect the lights to your WiFi or are you trying to connect your phone to the Kessil broadcast SSID?

Trying to connect to the Kessil broadcast ssid.

My phone recognizes the light but won't connect.

BeMoto · Mar 22, 2020

I can connect with my tablet without any proplems.

I find it very irritating I have to change my WiFi setting to connect to the light.

My phone wants to connect to my home network automatically. So I have to turn it off, change it to not connect automatically. But even after that my phone wants to connect to my home network.

I'm sure it's just me and not understanding how all this work.... thought it would be alot simpler.

Albertan22 · Mar 22, 2020

Does your Kessil use the App? I have A360X’s that use the app, after initial setup they just connect through my home network, although I have to be on that network and not remote. You also have to use a network in the 2.4ghz range rather than 5ghz. I had to set my router to run at that as it defaults to 5ghz.

BeMoto · Mar 22, 2020

The app is call kessil AP700.

Not sure on the GHZ setting. I should be able to connect my phone to the light directly without changing network setting. I would think. Might be something I have to look into.

Albertan22 · Mar 22, 2020

BeMoto said:
The app is call kessil AP700.

Not sure on the GHZ setting. I should be able to connect my phone to the light directly without changing network setting. I would think. Might be something I have to look into.

A lot of stuff that connects to home networks won’t run on 5ghz. I had to initially change my network over because my Rain bird irrigation system wouldn’t connect.

BeMoto · Mar 22, 2020

What would the benefit of adding my light to my home network? I have controlled my light from my phone before but it's a struggle to get it going.

BeMoto · Mar 22, 2020

It looks like my network is set up for both 2.5 and 5 ghz if I'm looking at it correctly.

Greybeard · Mar 22, 2020

Nothing I'm going to say is going to make you happy. Feel free not to read this

I have 2 AP700's, mounted in an Aquaticlife T5 Hybrid fixture. I'm an industrial software engineer... Pretty much an expert when it comes to wifi networking. I messed with my AP700's for months, and gave up. I've got them locked in manual mode, set the color and intensity from the buttons on the side, and turn them on and off by their power cord to my Apex.

It is possible to have 2 units, both connected to a home wifi (set up to suit them), and set up a master/slave relationship between the two lights. I did so, eventually... and the first power blink we had, I had to re-do everything.

Nope. Not worth it to me. I can turn 'em on and off just fine.

If I'd have paid full price for these lights, I'd have been ticked. Happily, I didn't. Bought them from an aquarium shop that went out of business, at pennies on the dollar.

I must say, after everything is done, I'm happy with my purchase. The light these things produce is awesome. Add in some T5's to eliminate shadowing, and I would say these things are nearly perfect at simulating a 10,000k 250w halide, which is really what I wanted to do (without the heat!).

Here's hoping to get your issues resolved.

BeMoto · Mar 22, 2020

I'm just hoping I can set them up with my tablet at this point and set a schedule and color spectrum. I wouldn't at this point buy another one if I needed a second one. I dont know if different brands have these proplem. But if I'm going to spend any money ever again on lights i want to see them connect in person to my device 1st.

I've had proplem with blue tooth befor but nothing like this. Normally it's just power down and reset.....

BeMoto · Mar 22, 2020

Greybeard said:
Nothing I'm going to say is going to make you happy. Feel free not to read this

Here's hoping to get your issues resolved.

Thanks for taking the time and write this up. It didn't make me made at all, you where respectful and voiced your opion.

I'm not a big tech person but I would like to think I shouldn't have to be to set this up with a smart phone.

divewsharks · Mar 22, 2020

Did you get connected?
I don’t use Android, so not sure if an issue there.

Did you reset them after the purchase, since there were used?
Are you starting with the app first and then trying to connect once it tells you to?

divewsharks · Mar 22, 2020

As Graybeard said, they are a PIA to configure, and then need to do it all again if there is a power outage. Software development not a Kessil strength, but the lights do put out very nice light. My acros grew so well, shading became the issue.