How to Get Your Scooter Online with Sunshine
A comprehensive guide to replacing your SIM card and setting up Sunshine
Table of Contents
Overview
To use Sunshine with your unu Scooter Pro, you need to bring your scooter online. This guide will walk you through the process of replacing the SIM card in your scooter and installing the necessary software to connect to Sunshine.
The process involves two main steps:
- Replacing the SIM card in your scooter (either DIY or with professional help)
- Installing the Sunshine cloud agent and configuration on your scooter
Important
This process requires technical skills and may void your warranty. Proceed at your own risk. If you're not comfortable with the DIY options, we recommend seeking professional help.
The SIM Card Situation
unu Scooter Pro models were originally manufactured with soldered-in MFF2 SIM cards that connected to the unu Cloud service. These SIM cards were provided by unu GmbH and were included in the monthly subscription fee.
Since unu went insolvent, these SIM cards have been turned off, and it's unlikely they will be turned on again. This means your scooter can no longer connect to the internet using the original SIM card.
To bring your scooter back online, you need to replace the SIM card with one that has an active data plan. There are several options for doing this, ranging from DIY solutions to professional services.
Requirements for a Replacement SIM
- A data plan with at least 50MB of monthly data (the scooter uses very little data)
- Coverage in your area
- A static IP address is not required
DIY Replacement Options
Option 1: Replace with Another MFF2 SIM
This option involves desoldering the original MFF2 SIM and soldering in a new one. This is the most "factory-like" solution but requires advanced soldering skills.
Pros
- Most similar to the original setup
- Clean installation with no adapters
Cons
- Requires hot air soldering equipment
- MFF2 SIMs are difficult to source for individuals
- Advanced technical skills required
What You'll Need
- Hot air soldering station
- MFF2 SIM card (e.g., from ThingsMobile)
- Fine soldering tools
- Magnification equipment
Option 2: Install a Nano SIM Adapter
This option involves desoldering the original MFF2 SIM and soldering in an adapter board that accepts standard Nano SIMs. This is generally easier than option 1 and allows you to easily change SIM cards in the future.
Pros
- Easier to source standard Nano SIMs
- Can change SIM cards if needed
- Slightly easier soldering job
Cons
- Still requires desoldering the original SIM
- Adapter board needs to be sourced or made
What You'll Need
- Soldering equipment (hot air preferred)
- Nano SIM adapter board
- Standard Nano SIM with data plan
Warning for DIY Approaches
Both DIY options require opening your scooter, removing the MDB (Middle Driver Board), and performing delicate soldering work. This should only be attempted if you have experience with electronics repair and the proper tools. Mistakes can permanently damage your scooter's electronics.
Professional Help Options
If you're not comfortable with the DIY options, there are several professional services that can help you replace your SIM card.
-
Option 1: Local Service in Berlin
If you're in Berlin, you can bring your scooter to Fa. Wilhelm Zweiradtechnik, who can perform the SIM card replacement for you.
Contact: e.rollerberlin@gmail.com
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Option 2: Mail-in Service
You can remove the MDB (Middle Driver Board) from your scooter and mail it to either Fa. Wilhelm Zweiradtechnik or Starsong GmbH for SIM card replacement.
This option is less expensive than shipping the entire scooter and can be done from anywhere.
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Option 3: Pre-modified MDB
You can purchase a pre-modified MDB (Middle Driver Board) with a Nano SIM adapter already installed from Starsong GmbH or Fa. Wilhelm, and trade in your old MDB for a discount.
This is the easiest option if you're comfortable removing and replacing the MDB in your scooter.
Contact Us for Professional Help
If you'd like to discuss professional SIM card replacement options, please fill out our contact form and we'll get back to you with more information.
Installing Sunshine
Once your scooter has a working SIM card, you need to install the Sunshine cloud agent and configuration. This involves installing the radio-gaga software on your scooter.
Installation Package
We provide an installation package that contains everything you need:
- radio-gaga binary (the cloud agent)
- Configuration file template
- Systemd service file
- MQTT CA certificate
- Installer script
Installation Steps
- Register your scooter in Sunshine (if you haven't already)
- Generate an API token for your scooter
- Download the installation package
- Transfer the package to your scooter
- Run the installer script
The Installer Script
The installer script will:
- Copy the files to the correct locations
- Configure the systemd service
- Enable and start the service
- Configure the scooter to use the new cloud agent
mv radio-gaga/rescoot-radio-gaga.service /etc/systemd/system
systemctl restart unu-modem-radio-gaga
systemctl enable --now rescoot-radio-gaga.service
redis-cli lpush scooter:modem enableConfiguration File
The configuration file (radio-gaga.yml) contains your scooter's identifier and authentication token. It will look something like this:
---
scooter:
identifier: YOUR_VIN
token: YOUR_TOKEN
environment: production
mqtt:
broker_url: ssl://mqtt.sunshine.rescoot.org:8883
ca_cert: "/var/rootdirs/home/root/radio-gaga/sunshine-mqtt-ca.pem"
keepalive: 180s
redis_url: redis://localhost:6379
telemetry:
intervals:
driving: 5s
standby: 10m
standby_no_battery: 4h
hibernate: 24hComing Soon
We're working on a graphical installer and a more streamlined installation process. Check back soon for updates!
Need Help?
If you have any questions or need assistance with the process, please don't hesitate to reach out to us.