Navien NaviLink Lite WiFi Control Module for Tankless Water Heater - Unboxing, Installation & Review
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- Опубликовано: 7 ноя 2024
- Navien NaviLink Lite Wi-Fi Control Module for Tankless Water Heater - Unboxing, Installation, Setup and Review with addendum notes
www.navieninc....
www.navieninc....
www.navieninc....
Navi-Link Lite at TanklessParts: www.tanklessparts.com/product/navien-pbcm-as-002-navi-link-lite-wi-fi-system
I too want to show my appreciation for this video. This is an excellent example of what all instructional video should be like. I installed two of these units in under 20 minutes with the help of this video. Thanks.
Allow me to pile on with the accolades and appreciation for this video. I've just installed a Navilink Lite on my 2-year-old NPE-210A2 and am up and running with no issues. Could not have done it without this video, though. I started by downloading all of the documentation from the Navien site and reading every word before even opening the box. What a waste of time that was. Zero useful information in the manuals and spec sheets. Then I searched and found this video.
I consider myself a fairly tech-savvy guy and needed to see this app work before I purchase my second Navien water heater for a vacation home in another state where we already have a lower-end tankless system.
I really like our existing Navien re-circ system but require remote control.
Our vacation home has a well with year-round 54 degree water. Plus the master bath is the furthest point from the heater. So it currently takes 2 minutes and 15 seconds to get hot water to the master bath. We will be hosting short-term rental guests who will not take kindly to the low-end system's performance. So a condensing system with re-circ (like I have at our primary home) with a dedicated return loop line is exactly what I need. But the house will be vacant at least 2/3 of the time, and I can't justify burning propane year round just because I want a re-circ pump. Nor can I trust guests or the cleaning service to manually turn the heater on and off.
So this is looking good for our application. I expect to be able to monitor gas and water utilization. But most import for me, I should be able to turn the new system on and off remotely.
Thanks again for a great video.
Is there any difference between the Navilink and the Navilink Lite. I had this very same Navien installed in my home today. I don't want to order the wrong model number or type of Wi-Fi Module. As you say...the Manuals don't give you much.
Thank you Bob so much for this video. The Navien documentation for the NaviLink Lite is utter garbage and I would not have been able to complete the install of this device without your help. I also greatly appreciate the extra info about the functionality and features of the NaviLink App you included in this video.
Glad you found the video useful and helpful!
Very helpful, thanks for sharing. Btw, we'll be switching to this model in a couple of weeks and I'm a network guy so I will confirm where the app connects to, whether locally to a service in the cloud. Thanks again.
What did you find out?
Very helpful video, thank you. Two dumb things that tripped me up that viewers may benefit from: it doesn’t support WPA3 security and the Navilink app isn’t the same as the Navien app.
Just used this to correct a bad install by plumber. Excellent instructions! Especially the granular details Navien omitted. Thanks!
I watched this video. The installer had connected the navlink light up for me. It was frustrating trying to get i working until i found this video. this video showed me how to enable it in the menu on the NPE-240A2. Worth the price of admission!!. Thank you!!!
Adding my appreciation for this video as well. I was briefly stumped at where to plug in the cable to the board and started to worry I had to reach the back PCB which is screwed into the back of the unit. The Navien manuals are very lite in how they describe things. I had spoken to our local Navien rep in Arizona, and he had offered to speak to me on the phone. However, this being Saturday, I figured I would try online first. Found this video which was just perfect. I was glad to discover the power supply was truly optional, and I had no issues getting the unit connected. Now to install the 2nd one for our other Navien which is in a separate part of the house.
I do agree the app is weak at best. However, my biggest concern is really to be notified if there are any issues. (We have already had to have our main PCB boards replaced after multiple failures which was apparently a soft recall.) Being able to schedule recirculation will be nice too.
Thanks again.
I just had plumber install same Navien unit as you have. Definitely want to hook up the NaviLink Lite. There is not a lot of info on this unit online, so thanks so much for you video.
Glad to be of help
@@AllThingsBobot Any idea where one can purchase one of these NaviLink Lite units? I get crickets when I google it ... I plan to call Navien Support line next week to see if they can help. Thanks, again!
@@rodmxw11 I purchased mine from a local brick and mortar plumbing supplier. Go to this link and put in your location to find dealers: www.navieninc.com/dealers
@@rodmxw11 Navi-Link Lite on Amazon: amzn.to/3LHa9iY
Nice video. Had a devil of a time getting the device to connect to my network. I use UniFi networking equipment and I was finally able to trace the issue to a WPA problem. A lot of my devices use the Wi-Fi Protected Access 3 protocol (WPA3) but I have a few older devices that still use WPA2. Unifi network configuration allows for a hybrid/mix of WPA2 and WPA3 support but the NaviLite box does not like this at all - refuses to connect. Disabling WPA3 and using solely WPA2 gets things going which is both good and not so good. Other than that problem, it works well. I dont know if there is any way to show the software version of the wifi box - the only version I see is 10.02 but I think thats my NPE-240S2. The app reports 2.00.02
Thank you so much for posting this video. I just a the same Navien model installed a few months ago as well, and have been waiting for the intelligent recirc setting to figure out a schedule. it hasn't yet, but the reason may be that our schedule is admittedly erratic. Anyway, as an alternative, I was thinking maybe Navien provides a way to turn-on recirc on-demand. And that led me to your video.
in your video, I did not see a on-demand recirc button in the app screens you showed. Can you tell me if that is an option with the NaviLink Lite?
Please check with Navian tech support on this feature. I did NOT purchase this feature, but my understanding is that they have an optional "Hot Button" accessory (purchased and installed separately) that allows you to push a button to heat the water on demand. I was informed by tech support that once the hot button accessory is installed, a red dot (button) would show up on the app so you could press it to heat water on demand.
Super helpful video. Thanks! Couldn't find any info elsewhere. Your review was perfect.
Thanks for helping me set up my WiFi to my Navien.
So now I have it all enabled. I have noticed that the hot button when pressed barely runs but when you enable a schedule it fully heats up the external loop. I don't know if there is something I am missing setting wise with the hot button mode ...but it goes function.
Thanks for posting! I've been trying to get my hands on one of these units. This video is super helpful.
Glad I could be of helpful! Good luck with your install.
Very helpful video! My tank is outside, so is this module waterproof? If not, is there space for it inside the tank or would the remote control device be a better option than the wi-fi module? Thank you!
Have people found the NaviLink lite worth the cost for a home owner?
Great video, thanks for posting this it’s just what I needed to get the NaviLink up and going.
Awesome video very helpful. Is there a second parameter to setup to allow the navilink app to use the hot button?
Can you manually turn on and off the circulation pump with navilink?
@bobotstrains
Great video. It wasn’t obvious to me where to enable the “Always On” or “Intelligent” settings on the App. Do you know how to enable those features? Only option I could find was setting the weekly schedule. Thanks
I just got an A2 tankless and I want the Navi Link Lite and Navi Circ so I can use the app to turn on the recirc pump. Do you have that feature? My plumber says the app is buggy and is not recommending the Navi Link. Most companies add these features because they have to but they are 3rd party so they dont know how to support. Plus no one ever has good WiFi so it's easy to point the finger.
I just fought thru a navilink installation. Good info in here. I hope they develop the app further.
Nice video. The Navilink Lite seems to be very "lite" on features. It doesn't even offer a "hot button" in the app. Would be nice to be able to see in the app all the "Status Information" that you get from the front panel display. Perhaps Navien will provide additional features in the future. Last year, I installed the same model, NPE-240A2, as you and also installed a MHCOZY wifi smart switch which acts as a hot button. I configured an Alexa routine to "Turn on hot water" and this triggers the switch to run the external recirculation line on demand. I find this configuration more efficient than the Navien Intelligent or Scheduled recirculation modes.
Good info. I agree that the NaviLink app leaves a lot to be desired. How about "gallons of hot water used", etc. FYI the support tech advised that the app DOES have a red dot that shows up on the screen for the hot button feature if you have the physical NaviLink Hot Button installed on your heater.
@@AllThingsBobot I was confused about the HotButton functionality myself and coming to ask. So in order to use that feature along with the app, you must also have that installed. So it would be $200 bucks to get that feature through their two devices, the NaviLink + the HotButton kit.
If you have both a modem and a wireless router, you could unplug the modem and leave wifi up, that would be an easy way to see if it's calling home.
@@AllThingsBobot i was told on the phone it would have the Hot Button control in the app just simply by plugging in the Lite to the heater. I do not have the Hot button kit so I was assuming based on what they said that it would have the activation button even not having the hot button installed. I guess I have to make another call to Navien tomorrow. Kind of disappointed
I spoke to Navien customer support about the Hotbutton. In order to make that Hotbutton appear in the Navilink app, you have to go to the heater unit and set Recirculation to External --> Hotbutton. This can be done with or without the optional Hotbutton kit. This kit includes a temperature sensor that connects from the far-end of the recirc loop to the temperature sensor on the Hotbutton circuitry on the water heater. Without this kit (and the temperature sensor), setting the Recirculation to Hotbutton makes the recirculation completely manual i.e. no recirc happens unless you open the app and hit the Hotbutton. This "completely manual" is NOT what I want. What I (and I think customers in general) want is an automated/scheduled recirculation PLUS the manual, on-demand recirculation. I think your approach with the wifi smart switch is the way to go, since absent a smart hotbutton feature, Navilink Lite and the app are of very little value.
How do you enable in the installer menu ?
Thanks for video. Great info I got mine installed today.
Very helpful video. Thank you for taking the time to make it.
I did an online search for it and I can't find it anywhere... Which store did you buy it from?
Again thanks very helpful.
Glad it was helpful. I purchased mine from a local brick and mortar plumbing supplier. Go to this link and put in your location to find dealers: www.navieninc.com/dealers
Navi-Link Lite on Amazon: amzn.to/3LHa9iY
Nice review. I was looking around to see if it was worth it as well and found your video. In regard to the device and is it pushing data to the cloud. I do a lot of data security and basically if you didn't setup some type of port forwarding on your firewall, then this thing is being either proxied by some "server" somewhere on-line or it is truly sending data and something is collecting it which is "cloud" based. I am suspect of any of these IOT devices until I run them through my security devices so I can see where they send data. I block nearly everything outside of the US (even though that really is futile as well). Ecobee, for example sends data to sites in Canada.
Anyway - I am still on the fence about it. I like my IOT stuff - but it does seem very immature as a product. Again, nice video though!
Thank you for this helpful video! I'm looking to install this after getting a too high quote for the part from a plumber I've used before (and liked)... question for you - my unit is outdoors - would this type of installation and the wifi controller itself work for an outdoor install the same way? Appreciate your help in advance!
I don't know about the outdoor units. My concern would be that there is some kind of weatherproofing on the water heater unit itself to keep out the elements like rain and critters. If you opened the unit you would have to make sure any weatherproofing is put back in place. Also the NaviLink wifi box itself doesn't show any specific weatherproofing (ie the network port does not have a weather boot so that would mean the Navilink would have to be located inside the housing of the water heater which would reduce wifi range for connection. Check with Navien.
What did you find out about Daylight savings time? Does the Navilink keep the time updated via WiFi or no?
It did not in my case. I waited a week after changing the clocks and had to change the time manually on the Navien display panel yesterday.
Thank you for this post! Do you also have Navicirc installed? Or do you have a dedicated return line?
No, I don't have any recirc function or piping installed.
Super helpful! I am surprised that the app does NOT have a hot button function! It’s quite useless because of that.
There is a Hot Button button on the app but you have to set it up through the panel on the front of the unit first for it to appear on the app. I use it all the time. When you select Hot Button on the panel, there is no Intelligent Scheduling, Weekly Scheduling, or Always On available.
Is your Com light red or green? Mine is red after plugging in
Solid red indicates the heater is not talking to the NaviLite and thats likely becuase it hasn't been enabled in the installer menu. Once enabled is blinks green.
Any chance you know where this connects on the NCB-H Combi Boiler? On the front panel the only spot that is open has 7 pins, but the cable for the navilink lite has a 5 pin connector. I don't see any open 5 pin spots on the board, either.
Any solution to this?
Oh and a question besides where to buy 🙂
I will have two of these water heaters... One in my house and another in a casita (detached). Does the app look like it would support two units?
Make note that the NaviLink "Lite" wifi controller is only for one water heater unit per wifi unit (resedential). If you have multiple water heaters in the same location (commercial or staged) look at the Navilink original wifi controller. However, the app appears to support multiple locations and multiple devices selectable from the main screen.
@@AllThingsBobot Thanks so much... I will have two water heaters at different locations (two separate houses). Thank you for a great review.
Great video. Does the app allow you to remotely activate the hot button?
Please check with Navian tech support on this feature. I did NOT purchase this feature, but my understanding is that they have an optional "Hot Button" accessory (purchased and installed separately) that allows you to push a button to heat the water on demand. I was informed by tech support that once the hot button accessory is installed, a red dot (button) would show up on the app so you could press it to heat water on demand.
Yes, on the Main menu on the front panel of unit under Recirculation settings, select Hot Button. However, understand that this feature disables Always On, Intelligent Scheduling and Weekly Scheduling. There will be a Hot Button prompt that will now show on the app. You don't have to have physical Hot Buttons installed for this feature to work. If you haven't prewired manual physical Hot Buttons, there is a way to use wifi controlled push buttons.
Also one other comment.....any idea what "Auto" does on the top of the app screen? I enable and disable that and can't tell whay it does on mine
I think it automatically refreshes the screen data every few seconds
@@AllThingsBobot thank you I see that now after leaving it on. I have no hot button but after reading through the manual the dip switch for that has it disabled...hopefully correcting that will have the hot button option show up. I like this app so far but wish it had more function and features.
Thank you so much! This was a very helpful video.
Very very helpful. Thank you!
Seems Navien makes it hard to buy this unit direct and tries to make you use an authorized dealer who then tries to charge an exorbitant amount for a simple install. The buy link to Amazon no longer works - any advice on how to buy a unit ?
I just purchased a related item from these guys and it arrived in one day. Navi-Link Lite at TanklessParts: www.tanklessparts.com/product/navien-pbcm-as-002-navi-link-lite-wi-fi-system
@@AllThingsBobot thanks just purchased
I’m having issues registering the Navilink? Does anyone have any answers for this ?
I read someplace that there is “Hot button” support which will would force a recirculation cycle…
OK... Learning more about the hot button.. If hot button is enabled, then you don't get a recirculation schedule.
So it is a choice... Scheduled, or Hot button. I really would like a combination...
I could have a very limited schedule to try to save power... Then use the hot button to get hot water going when outside of the schedule.
Mine came in today and called Navien tech support for assistance. Had everything hooked up and discovered that a power supply is needed which is not included, so that was a bummer. Tech support guy couldnt believe they did not include one. I noticed in this video that he did not have a power supply for his so maybe not all require one. The manual does state that the power supply is "Sold Separately".
What model water heater do you have? Please list so others have the info. My unit provided power through the provided cable attached to the pcb. Also a parameter setting needed enabled in the installer menus telling it the Wi-Fi module was attached.
I have the NPE-240A
The NaviLink Lite does not require a separate power source. The regular version of NaviLink that can be used with cascaded or multiple units does require and comes with a separate power source.
what a great help.
Great video ! Made install and use easy
Nice info. Video.
Anyone know what this NAV Lite controller costs?
As mentioned in the video, around $100. Link to find dealers by location: www.navieninc.com/dealers
Navi-Link Lite on Amazon: amzn.to/3LHa9iY
Nice i have tankless too!
I would expect nothing less in the "man cave" :D
This is excellent instruction. One suggestion/request: in your RUclips settings, you do not have the "Save" button setting activated. I'd like to store your video for future viewing in my Saved to Watch Later file in my own settings. I've kept the video title saved in a Notes file in a different app, but the Save button would be helpful.
At the bottom of the video, to the right side of "clip" there is a "..." click on the "..." and you will see the save option.
Thank you! I learned twice here.@@bradbedell2705