Just tried to install my 1st AP7-PRO units. I apologize but after trying to mount the unit for about an hour I had to give up. I will try not to be negative, but I do not know what to do, if I cannot install the units, (Let alone install them without scratching up the ceiling and leaving smug mark all over the units and walls…) I cannot sell them to my customers. I was able to get one sort of on the ceiling but it is very loose and I am worried it will fall on someone. The other unit I tried so long I went through two sets of dry wall anchors and had to give up. The metal plate is even worse than the plastic one. It bends out of shape and once that happens it is hard (if not impossible to get it back in the same shape it started in). The weight of the unit pulls on the unit and does not sit flush. The new metal mount does not line up with the old plastic mount. (Side note: the “V” or “A” design is cute, but a pain since you can only use one end of the shape for the cable to come out, I know it is 50/50 but I always get the wrong side. Even when I get it to go out the correct side there is little room for the cable and little room for the cable not to get crushed.) The black bottom surface smudges the wall and most of the ceilings and ceiling tiles I work with are white (I may be in the minority). Alta still refuses to supply screws for standard electrical boxes (yes, I know I can run down to the hardware store and pick some up. Would love to see numbers on how many units are installed on ceiling tiles compared to wall/ceiling mounted on single gang boxes).
I really do not know why you could not just go with a circle it will always be square with the wall. I know it is way too late to make a change on the design, and I guess you were looking to stand out. My only suggestion is please hurry up with eh AP7W unit so I can just mount it to a standard single gang outlet.
I just cannot believe how much time I have wasted trying to install the Alta WAPs. I do not know what to do if I ever have to remove the units and then have to remount them, the metal bends and then the clips do not engage.
I really do not know what to do, I love the product, but I can not install it. I have my installers install them and then take a long time and they have gotten better but they have never installed an AP6-PRO on the first try, ceiling tile jobs we just put them on top of the ceiling tile and hope they do not catch fire. On every job we must go back and clean the ceiling, and I make them wear rubber gloves.
@Axon Thanks for the feedback on the mount. If the metal tabs are bent for any reason (if the bracket was dropped for example, incorrect install causing the arms to be out of alignment, etc.) then it will require you to check the alignment of the tabs. In a good majority of our testing, and feedback from pre-production users, is that the mount is quite a bit easier to use than the plastic mount. That said, I understand your team is having a hard time installing the mounts, and that is frustrating for you and for us. We have an update to our quick start guide and video coming that will talk about how to quickly check the metal mount to help avoid frustration on install. We will post it again here as soon as its ready.
Yes the outdoor WAP installs much easier. Would like the cable to be a little better hidden/protected on the outdoor WAP, but much easier to install. So is the AP6W, easy to install.
We had no issues with the APW; we had them with the AP6 Pros, very similar to yours. The issue stemmed from the APs not snapping in. The solution was loosening the screws, and there were some issues if the surface was not completely flat. There are other solutions, but we must consult with the client as they are the most important part of the installation process.
I understand these issues are normal, especially for a newer company. I would imagine everyone having different difficulties or no issues at all.
I’ve found that if I tighten down either the plastic or metal screws too much it causes the bracket to flex and makes installing the AP just that much harder
@Alta-Chase Are you still willing to release the STL for the bracket?
I agree. Having the same problem. I thought the plastic one was bad but now this is even worse. I’m very disappointed and don’t see how I can use this consistently at customer locations.
The metal tabs bend easier and it doesn’t seem like it fully “locks in”. I can grab it and twist it off without much force.
The comment about this bracket matching previous models doesn’t make much sense because it’s a completely different size.
