New ratgdo32 will only connect to Wi-Fi when powered by MacBook USB

Hardware
1

I recently purchased two ratgdo32 devices from RatCloud LLC (about 10 days ago). One works perfectly. The second appears to have a power-related issue.

Symptoms

The device will connect to Wi-Fi only when powered by my MacBook USB-C port, but not when powered by a normal USB power adapter.

When powered from the MacBook:

• solid red LED

• device appears in arp -a

• device responds to ping

• connects to Wi-Fi normally

When powered from a USB wall adapter:

• solid red LED

• device does not appear in arp -a

• ping times out

• never connects to Wi-Fi

Troubleshooting already performed

• swapped USB power adapters between the two devices (same result — the same board fails)

• swapped USB cables

• tested in multiple physical locations to rule out interference

• reflashed firmware 5–6 times

• allowed several hours for Wi-Fi connection attempts

• used the FAQ method to skip Wi-Fi setup, then connected to Wi-Fi later while powered by the MacBook

Even after successfully connecting to Wi-Fi during setup (while powered by the MacBook), once the device is moved to a USB power adapter it no longer connects.

The other ratgdo32 device from the same order works normally with the same adapters and cables.

Question

Has anyone seen behavior like this before? It appears the board may have a power-stability or regulator issue, but I wanted to check before concluding the device is defective.

If this is a known issue or there are additional diagnostics I should run, I’d appreciate the guidance.

Thanks,

Kevan Kjar

2

How many amps do the wall adapter provide?

You should probably have 2.1A.

Many adapters might provide as little as 0.5A

3

I think there is a problem with the 2nd Ratgdo32. The 1st one works with either power adaptor. I purchased from Ratcloud LLC, and they have yet to respond to my two messages from 2 days ago.

4

Better to confirm PSU anyway.

Not putting down RatGDO but cheap power supply circuit may leads to different powers requirements but still in range. If PSU is at edge of power need the unit may work while other does.

Is cable same with both PC and power only?