Upgrade from NoWire to Next Century

Upgrade from NoWire to Next Century

How to Upgrade Your NoWire System to Next Century Meters

Your property is moving from the older NoWire metering system to the newer Next Century system. The good news: you can do this yourself. No technician visit, no special training, and no tools beyond a pair of pliers.

This guide walks you through it one step at a time, in plain language. Take your time and follow the steps in order.

The Short Version

Your water (or other) meters are staying exactly where they are. You are only swapping out the small radio devices that send the meter readings to us, and replacing the old Gateway with a new one.

Here is the whole job in six steps:

  1. Unplug and remove the old NoWire Gateway
  2. Set up the new Next Century Gateway
  3. Take the old radio off a meter
  4. Put the new radio in its place
  5. Connect the meter's wire to the new radio
  6. Press the button and check the light

You will repeat steps 3 through 6 for each meter. Steps 1 and 2 you only do once.

Get to Know the Parts

Before you start, here is what each piece is and what it does. Don't worry about the names. Just match them to the pictures.

The old radio (called an "Inovonics transmitter")
This is the small device currently attached to each of your meters. It is what you are removing.

The new radio (called a "Next Century TR4 transceiver")
This is the small device that will be installed in place of the existing unit. You should have received one device for each meter. Each device is labeled with a sticker indicating the corresponding unit number.

The gray wire (called a "pulse cable")
This is the gray wire already running out of each meter. It is what carries the reading. You are NOT removing this wire. You are simply moving its end from the old radio to the new radio.

The Gateway
This is the data collector that collects readings from all the radios and sends them to us over the internet. You have an old NoWire Gateway to remove, and a new Next Century Gateway to set up.
- NoWire (Left)
- Next Century (Right)

     

What You'll Need

  • The new Next Century transceiver (one per meter, sent to you by PEM & Submeter Solutions)
  • The new Next Century Gateway and its power cord (sent to you by PEM & Submeter Solutions)
  • An internet cable (also called an Ethernet cable) to plug the Gateway into your router. This is the recommended way to connect it.
  • A pair of needle-nose pliers
  • A small flathead screwdriver (only if a connector is stuck, otherwise you won't need it)

That's it. The gray wire from each meter is already there, so you don't need to supply any wiring.

Before You Start

  1. Count your transceivers. Make sure you received one new transceivers for every meter. If you are short, contact us before you begin.
  2. Match the stickers. Each new radio has a sticker with a unit number. That radio is meant for that specific unit. Before installing one, check that its unit number matches the meter you are working on. Getting these mixed up will give wrong readings.
  3. Find the old Gateway. Locate the old NoWire Gateway now so you know where it is. You will remove it near the end (Step 5).

Step-by-Step Instructions

Tip: Do one meter completely (Steps 1 through 4) before moving to the next. It keeps things simple and makes it easy to spot a mistake.

Also review the following video as a reference for Steps 1 through 4:
NoWire to Next Century Upgrade- Video

Step 1: Remove the Old NoWire Gateway


Only do this after every meter has its new radio installed and tested.

  1. Unplug the old NoWire Gateway from the wall outlet.
  2. Unplug anything else connected to it, such as an internet cable.
  3. Take it off the wall or shelf.
  4. Set it aside with the old radios. You can throw them away or send them back to us.

Step 2: Set Up the New Next Century Gateway


The new Gateway is what sends all your readings to us. It comes ready to go, so all you have to do is give it power and an internet connection.

  1. Pick a spot for it. A good spot is:
    • Somewhere fairly central to your meters
    • Near a power outlet and near your internet router
    • Not a "smart" outlet or one controlled by a motion sensor. Those can shut the power off on their own and knock the Gateway offline. Use a normal, always-on outlet.
  2. Mount it. Stick it to the wall using the included sticky plate, or screw it in with the included screws. Pick a stable, easy-to-reach spot.
  3. Plug in the power. Use the power cord that came with it. Make sure both ends are pushed in all the way.
  4. Connect it to the internet. Pick one of these:
    • Ethernet cable (best option): Plug one end of the Ethernet cable into the Gateway and the other end into an open port on your internet router. This is the most reliable choice.
      Follow this guide: Connecting Your Next Century Gateway via Ethernet
    • Wi-Fi (only if a cable won't reach): Wi-Fi can drop out when passwords change, so we don't recommend it. If you have no choice, you'll need the Next Century phone app to set it up.
      Follow this guide: Connecting the Next Century Gateway to the Internet (Wi-Fi)
    • Cellular (no internet on site): If there is no internet at the property at all, the Gateway has a built-in cellular option. This needs a subscription, so submit a support ticket and we'll turn it on for you.
  5. Check the light. Look at the light on the left side of the Gateway. It can take up to 10 minutes the first time, so be patient.
    • Blue light means it's connected and working. You're finished. 
    • Green light means it has power but isn't online yet. Double-check the internet cable is plugged in at both ends. If it stays green, unplug the Gateway for 30 seconds, plug it back in, and wait 3 minutes.
    • No light at all means it isn't getting power. Recheck the power cord and try a different normal outlet.

If the light won't turn blue after you've checked the cable and restarted the Gateway, contact us and we'll take a look.

Step 3: Take the Old Radio Off the Meter

  1. Go to the first meter and find the old radio attached to it.
  2. Find the thin gray wire running from the meter into the old radio. Gently unplug that wire from the radio. Do not cut it or throw it away. You will plug it into the new radio in a moment.
  3. Take the old radio off the wall or mount. Set it aside in a box or bag. You can throw these away later or send them back to us.

Step 4: Put the New Radio in Its Place


  1. Hold the new radio up to the same spot where the old one was.
  2. Mount it there so it sits firmly and you can still reach it. The exact position doesn't have to be perfect, it just needs to be stable and close to the meter.

Step 5: Connect the Meter's Gray Wire to the New Radio

This is the most important step, so go slowly. You are taking that gray wire you unplugged and connecting it inside the new radio.


  1. Open the new radio. There is a small tab on the side opposite the sticker. Press it to pop the cover open.
  2. Look inside. You will see a small battery, three metal pins, and a small blue plastic block sitting on some of the pins.
  3. Remove the blue block that came in the box. Using your needle-nose pliers, gently pull off that factory blue block from the right side and set it aside. You won't need it.
  4. Find the connector on your gray wire. The end of your meter's gray wire has a small blue or green plastic block on it.
  5. Snap your wire's connector onto the pins. Press it down onto the two outer pins. These pins are labeled "IN" and "GND". Push until it sits flat and snug against the board.
  6. Tuck the wire in. Feed the gray wire down through the small opening at the bottom of the radio, underneath the battery, so the cover can close.
  7. Close the cover until you hear it click shut.


If you want close-up photos of this wiring step, see our companion guide:
Next Century Blue Block Wiring Guide (Pulse)

Step 6: Press the Button and Check the Light

This quick test confirms the radio is talking to the meter.


  1. Find the small red button in the top right corner of the radio.
  2. Press it once and let go right away. Do not hold it down.
  3. Watch the little light:
    • A red flash, then two green blinks means it worked. You're done with this meter.
    • No two green blinks? Wait 10 seconds and try the button again. If it still doesn't blink green twice, open the radio back up and make sure the gray wire's connector is pushed firmly onto the IN and GND pins, then test again.
  4. Once you get the red-then-two-green pattern, move on to the next meter and repeat Steps 1 through 4.

If a radio still won't give you the two green blinks after you've rechecked the wire, contact us and we'll help.

After You Finish

  • We handle activation. Once your radios and Gateway are installed, we turn everything on from our end. You don't need to do anything else.
  • Give it a little time. Your readings will start showing up online within about 24 hours.
  • Logging in. Your property management team will get login details for the Next Century online dashboard, if they don't already have them.

If Something Goes Wrong

You press the red button and the light does nothing

  • Open the radio and make sure the battery is in place and touching its contacts.
  • Check that your gray wire's connector is pushed firmly onto the IN and GND pins.

You get the red flash but not the two green blinks

  • The radio has power but isn't picking up the meter's signal.
  • Make sure the gray wire is firmly connected at both ends: at the meter and at the radio.
  • Make sure you're using the right wire. Each meter has its own.

Everything tested fine but no readings show up online

  • Give it up to 24 hours after install.
  • If you still see nothing after a day, contact us. The radio may just need to be switched on from our end.

The new Gateway light stays green or off

  • See Step 6 above for the light meanings and the simple unplug-and-wait fix.

Need Help?

If you get stuck anywhere, we're happy to help.

  • Submit a support ticket: Submeter Solutions Support Portal
  • When you reach out, please include your property name, the unit number sticker from the radio you're having trouble with, and a short description of what's happening.

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