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.

View attachment 139947

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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