Cisco Bridges; Proximity to Power Source?

[magister]

I've been contracted to install a fairly complex outdoor system, but this is my first effort which relies solely on solar as a power source, or with anything nearly this remote.

One of the problems which has been vexing me is that there are no buildings or structures in which I can "hide" the equipment; I have looked at several enclosure sources and I do have a monetary budget that would cover the expenditure; But, I really don't have the time to wait for a custom-designed enclosure and I would prefer to try and "make-do" with what the client has already purchased. (I am the fourth tech on this job and as far as I can see, the prior folks only bought more and more equipment, some of it unnecessary and some of the more obvious purchases were never completed)

The solar devices (about which I am no expert) are housed in what I will describe as a two-shelf unit; Above the upper shelf, the inverter and the like are fastened to the back wall and there are two batteries sitting on the upper shelf. The enclosures were what they had on hand at the outfitters and there is an empty lower shelf designed to hold additional batteries, if needed; But right now, the lower shelves are totally empty.

My question is whether or not, anyone feels the power source equipment and/or the batteries would cause any type of interference that would affect the performance of the bridges; And, if they feel or experience has shown that the source equipment may interfere; Do they have any suggestions as to how far away (hopefully, within the same box), I should install the Cisco equipment and/or whether or not the batteries may pose a problem.

Also, it should be noted that all antennas would be outside the boxes and BTW: The solar outfitter said that he did not feel there would be a problem; But, just as I know very little about solar, I don't have any reason to believe, he may be an expert on networking and in reality; He kind of looked hurt, when he suggested sharing a shelf with the batteries and I replied that it would be easier to just drill some holes in his pretty box and mount it to the side.

Thanks in Advance;
R

PS) When I say bridges; I am talking about 350's, Workgroups and a lone, 1200 AP.

[x586]

This is all just educated guessing.
I would expect the inverters to create some interferance especially as close range 3' or less. However if you are using external antenna and shield the AP/bridge I think you have a much better chance.

Have you looked at outdoor AP's ? I know D-Link and several other manf. make Wifi equipment that can do Power Over Ethernet and is completely sealed for all weather conditions.
This would allow would allow you to put the AP 10' away from the powersource and on a short pole ( 6-15') which should give you a range increase, compared to sitting on a shelf, inside walls, next to an inverter and batteries.

Sounds like a fun a project.

[impartial]

I truely hope you didn't mean Workgroup bridges. Those are indoor units with integrated antennas and should not be used for outdoor applications, even if properly installed. The 350 Wireless Bridge is for outdoor use.

I have done many outdoor surveys/installations with the power supply in the same NEMA box (less than 4" away) and also with power over ethernet (the Cisco equipment supports power over ethernet) and I have not had an issue attributed to interference from the power source.

I would trust someone in the power industry to know if their stuff gave off interference (well, FCC/UL compliant companies that is). To ease your worries, why not set up a test lab? It could be done cheap and quick with your existing equipment and I'm sure the Solar company would have no problems assiting you if they really want to make the sale.