Starlink - Global internet

[The big K]

Had first proper test of having Starlink mini mounted 24/7 on the roof of the Cali whilst driving around some remote roads in rural Oz where there is no mobile phone network available (not even SOS). Made sure the setting “wifi calls” was set on our mobile phones, and the mobile phones were connected to the Starlink wifi. Result was that we had full access to our mobile phones, calls, texting, internet, everything wherever we went. Game changer. Now looking at installing a second leisure battery (Oz Cali only has one at the moment) to ensure we have plenty of spare battery capacity to run everything for at least 24 to 36 hours with the engine off (runs for about 18 hours with the fridge at the moment… running the car for 30mins completely recharges the battery though). Have the Starlink mount kit that attaches the mini directly to the roof rail and run the lead through the rear door seal. Thinking about getting an auto electrician to put a more permanent power source up there as it’s a bit of a faff to manage the tension on the cord through the rear door when popping the top up or down.

 

[Webbah_in_Switzerland]

Does the mini need any adapter or specific cable for powering it up when off grid?

Very tempted…

If you don't want to use AC power there are adapter cables available for using USB-c or converting to 12V hardwired. I've hardwired mine and use a PoE splitter cable so I have a single ethernet cable running to the outside of the van.

 

[wildslammer22]

Had first proper test of having Starlink mini mounted 24/7 on the roof of the Cali whilst driving around some remote roads in rural Oz where there is no mobile phone network available (not even SOS). Made sure the setting “wifi calls” was set on our mobile phones, and the mobile phones were connected to the Starlink wifi. Result was that we had full access to our mobile phones, calls, texting, internet, everything wherever we went. Game changer. Now looking at installing a second leisure battery (Oz Cali only has one at the moment) to ensure we have plenty of spare battery capacity to run everything for at least 24 to 36 hours with the engine off (runs for about 18 hours with the fridge at the moment… running the car for 30mins completely recharges the battery though). Have the Starlink mount kit that attaches the mini directly to the roof rail and run the lead through the rear door seal. Thinking about getting an auto electrician to put a more permanent power source up there as it’s a bit of a faff to manage the tension on the cord through the rear door when popping the top up or down.

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Great pictures!

I also have a roof mounted mini and routing the cable through the tailgate seal. I’m currently using a length of automotive cable trunking to manage the excess cable for when the roof is down, it works pretty well but I’ll be very interested in a more permanent/tidy solution so please do share if you get it done.

 

[The big K]

Great pictures!

I also have a roof mounted mini and routing the cable through the tailgate seal. I’m currently using a length of automotive cable trunking to manage the excess cable for when the roof is down, it works pretty well but I’ll be very interested in a more permanent/tidy solution so please do share if you get it done.

Will do!

 

[The big K]

If you don't want to use AC power there are adapter cables available for using USB-c or converting to 12V hardwired. I've hardwired mine and use a PoE splitter cable so I have a single ethernet cable running to the outside of the van.

I just have a 12v cable that runs from the Starlink to a spare 12v ciggy outlet in the van. You can get the plugs for this from Starlink, I got one from a third party that works well. Tried plugging the 12v plug into my EcoFlow river 2, but it doesn’t work and drops out all the time. The 12v supply from our leisure battery is stable though. If I need to plug into the EcoFlow, I have to switch the cable and plug to the 240v one supplied with the Starlink mini. Too much messing about doing this so decided to boost up the leisure battery system instead and have a more permanent install. BTW, Starlink mini’s have really taken off in Oz for campers, truckies and even the police… my brother is a cop in the bush and has one fitted to his car - he is finding it more useful and reliable than the other comms when remote.

 

[The big K]

Great pictures!

I also have a roof mounted mini and routing the cable through the tailgate seal. I’m currently using a length of automotive cable trunking to manage the excess cable for when the roof is down, it works pretty well but I’ll be very interested in a more permanent/tidy solution so please do share if you get it done.

Can you post a pic of your solution for managing the excess cable when the pop top is down?

 

[wildslammer22]

Can you post a pic of your solution for managing the excess cable when the pop top is down?

Here you go, the curly cable (underneath) is for the solar panel. I have routed the Starlink cable through the same grommet as the solar cable.

 

[The big K]

That looks good… what exactly is “automotive cable trunking”? I’d like to at least try this in the interim

 

[wildslammer22]

That looks good… what exactly is “automotive cable trunking”? I’d like to at least try this in the interim

It’s basically just a semi rigid plastic tube. I’m sure you can get it easily enough in Australia

https://amzn.eu/d/e5yWNrU

 

[arklife]

Yes, that’s a Starlink Mini behind the windscreen in front of the covers and it works pretty well!

Hi Sander. Can I ask if you have the heated windscreen on your van? I am thinking of doing something similar but want to know if it would work with the heated windscreen. Thanks.

 

[Nand0]

Yes, that’s a Starlink Mini behind the windscreen in front of the covers and it works pretty well!

Did you use suction cups or some other mechanism to mount it there? I haven't tried it yet, but I will be using Starlink for a 2m trip in Spring and thinking about the best place to mount it. My current thinking is parking the van facing north with the antenna on the dash/wind-screen. My understanding is that the antenna should face north... and this works because with the pop top up the solar panels will face south.

 

[wildslammer22]

Did you use suction cups or some other mechanism to mount it there? I haven't tried it yet, but I will be using Starlink for a 2m trip in Spring and thinking about the best place to mount it. My current thinking is parking the van facing north with the antenna on the dash/wind-screen. My understanding is that the antenna should face north... and this works because with the pop top up the solar panels will face south.

How much speed do you need? Mine is mounted on my roof and if I d I can get c.40 mbps even if orientated completely the wrong way as long as it has a clear view of the sky. This is more than enough for browsing, streaming and video calls. Usually I get nearer 100 mbps or more even when not aligned.

 

[Webbah_in_Switzerland]

Interesting have mine mounted in my roof and even pointed East or West I get 100mbs. Pointed North I get 150-250Mbps. Biggest issue in Switzerland is the forest, trees and mountains if parked up close by. But I use it 5 days a week and it’s been epic!


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[Nand0]

How much speed do you need? Mine is mounted on my roof and if I d I can get c.40 mbps even if orientated completely the wrong way as long as it has a clear view of the sky. This is more than enough for browsing, streaming and video calls. Usually I get nearer 100 mbps or more even when not aligned.

I have worked with 10mbps when 4G reception was not great. With that I can still have work video calls and do everything I have to (although sometimes I do have to wait a little for uploads/downloads). 5mbps starts being problematic. So a Starlink mini will be enough even if oriented wrong, but hey, if I can have faster at no extra cost, I will . But that's why I'm not bothering with an outside install, "me thinks" just plopping it on the dash will be fine

As @Webbah_in_Switzerland says, my biggest issue is tree cover. I actually did a trip like this last year, and I didn't activate my Starlink once because I almost always had tree cover, so 4G had to do.

 

[The big K]

Had first proper test of having Starlink mini mounted 24/7 on the roof of the Cali whilst driving around some remote roads in rural Oz where there is no mobile phone network available (not even SOS). Made sure the setting “wifi calls” was set on our mobile phones, and the mobile phones were connected to the Starlink wifi. Result was that we had full access to our mobile phones, calls, texting, internet, everything wherever we went. Game changer. Now looking at installing a second leisure battery (Oz Cali only has one at the moment) to ensure we have plenty of spare battery capacity to run everything for at least 24 to 36 hours with the engine off (runs for about 18 hours with the fridge at the moment… running the car for 30mins completely recharges the battery though). Have the Starlink mount kit that attaches the mini directly to the roof rail and run the lead through the rear door seal. Thinking about getting an auto electrician to put a more permanent power source up there as it’s a bit of a faff to manage the tension on the cord through the rear door when popping the top up or down.

View attachment 139947

View attachment 139948

Update… hardkorr 200w solar now recharges EcoFlow delta 3 plus battery (tops up from 50% to 90% in about 2 ½ hours good sun), and Starlink mini powered through the PD port. Domestic 55L fridge powered by Cali vw leisure battery (will run for about 34 hours without turning the car on to recharge the leisure battery (which only takes about 30-40
Minutes driving). Pretty much sustainable off grid solution!

 

[OzzieInvader]

Update… hardkorr 200w solar now recharges EcoFlow delta 3 plus battery (tops up from 50% to 90% in about 2 ½ hours good sun), and Starlink mini powered through the PD port. Domestic 55L fridge powered by Cali vw leisure battery (will run for about 34 hours without turning the car on to recharge the leisure battery (which only takes about 30-40
Minutes driving). Pretty much sustainable off grid solution!

Hey Big K, do you have a link for the Starlink mini mount? I couldn’t find it on their website? Thanks.


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[Corradobrit]

Some good deals with Starlink. Subscribe to the fastest residential plan (MAX) for 69 euro/month and get a free Starlink Mini kit and 50% off roaming plans. Brilliant.

 

[Corradobrit]

Another thing I noticed is that the Gen3 residential antenna will also pull in a good signal when completely flat, possibly making useful as a permanent fixture on the pop top.

 

[Corradobrit]

Adds 2 inches in height

https://www.amazon.com/Ybervont-Starlink-Gen-Flat-Mount/dp/B0DNMWGVK2?th=1