RinnaiControl-R Wi-Fi Module

So it seems like the app was pretty raw (android) initially, but I got this product end of Feb 2019 and its doing EXACTLY what I need. I have the 199 installed right below our first floor master bedroom, and the recirc was on the economy setting but still goes off a LOT. There is A) no need much of the time and B) its noisy in a dead silent house at night. In general I wouldn't say it's that noisy if there is other background sound, but at night, not good for sleeping.Enter this wifi control. Here are my experiences:* Sure, when I first installed it I'm able to get some force closes with the app, it's still not great quality but it's usable still. If you go off the single main "happy" path ever, expect a force close about half the time.* Then, the question is how was setup. Here I would say they have a bit of an issue with 2.4Ghz vs 5Ghz. Sure, they mention they only support 2.4Ghz, but my wifi is advanced (?) and does both bands together etc. My phone was I guess connected to 5G, and with the latest Android I don't believe you can force it to use 2.4GHz. So... I had to go in to my router, disable 5Ghz to force my phone to move to 2.4Ghz, then I could setup this wifi module to the 2.4Ghz (all the same SSID) and then it was good. Then once the wifi is setup, I can go back and re-enable 5Ghz for my phone/other devices. There's probably android ways to detect 2.4Ghz? I expect most people could be pretty confused by this part if they aren't good with IT.* After getting connected, setting up schedules was pretty simple. I haven't tried the "vacation" mode yet, but that is also a selection under recirc options. I think schedule entry and exit are important, if you enter a schedule that includes "NOW" whatever your time is, then I'm not sure it will trigger properly. AND you can only setup schedules on the half hour marks, but that's fine.Overall, it worked for what I need. Sure, not the easiest for someone not very technical. But it does work well if you can get help or are tech savvy.Oh, btw, my installer didn't leave the little connector that you have to splice onto the output wire of this device. See the image attached from the manual. So Rinnai overnighted me one for free! Very happy they did that.And POLARITY DOES NOT MATTER on this little splicing job, btw. I called and asked twice to make sure. The connector is keyed, but polarity is still a "do not care".

This thing is crap! Initially connects to your network, but then during the final connection phase is continually will not connect. I even had a wifi extender right next to this black brick, and it still wouldn't connect during the final phase. I've read over and over how the 2.0 update killed this product. Rainni needs to listen to their customers and fix this POS so it does what it's advertised to do.... remotely control your water heater schedule. I have the built in smart feature that sets a 7 day schedule based on learned usage, but once you hook this garbage to the heater, it wiped out the learned schedule. It's a paperweight now until they come up with a fix, or a new update that actually works! Buyer beware, that 4.5 review is. VERY misleading!

This device is nice to have if you have a Rinnai Recirculating Tankless heater. On one hand, it has functionality to set up recirculating schedules, however, it lacks most of the additional functionality that wired, wall-mounted controllers have. I am not sure it is worth the cost.

I see many complaints about the WIFI connectivity. Connecting to WIFI is different from connecting to a Bluetooth unit. You have to know what you are doing. Yes, it only connects to 2.4 GHz so this means it will most likely only connect to your router. You need to be within distance of your router. Just make you update the firmware in the unit when it asks to upgrade. All work as advertised by adjusting the temp, vacation... etc .

I was skeptical with fhe reviews but wanted to give it a shot. As some people say, set up was difficult because it wasn’t connecting to my network. I contacted support, they added the device to my Rinnai account and BAM , it’s been amazing. Even with power outages it fired right back up with no issue. Having controls on your phone and telling Alexa you want hot water is so convenient. Also, setting up recirculating schedules is easy and such a water saver. Great product

I have one of these that was installed in a new home by the builder. The first one didn't work but Rinnai provided a new one under warranty and it arrived the next day. Something you need to know that isn't necessarily specifically stated, as far as I can tell, is that it only works with the 2.4 band on WiFi. 5.0 doesn't work. If it's communicating with WiFi, when you go through the setup with your smart phone, you will see rinnai-(your control-R MAC address) in available networks. Once I received the replacement, it was easy to download the skill and set it up with Alexa. The command "Alexa, tell Rinnai I need hot water." starts the heater recirculation. We also have a push button paired with the system. Once we got it set up, it has worked well for us.

There is nothing I like about this product.The software would not install on my note 9.I was able to install it on my wife's s10.The software crashes often.Setting up recirculation schedules doesn't work.The displayed temperature values are very wrong most of the time.It is almost impossible to set the temperature, when it seems to be set, it changes on its own.There is NO help or documentation on how to use the software.I have never seen commercial software that is this bad.