StarLink Mini - No Cables - Successful Install/Trial

[1sjshrk]

Starting a new Thread on the subject of adding a StarLink Mini to my GX but without the need for power cables and using a roof rack mount that will allow the quick removal of the StarLink. For the past few weeks, I've been reviewing the comments on the GXForum as well as reviewing various on line reviews about how people addressed this issue. Here's the set-up I am pursuing (still waiting for a few critical parts to show up):

1) Starting with the StarLink Mini - Unit received and activated.

2) PeakDo L2 Battery unit which attaches directly to the StarLink Mini - Unit received and activated. So far, works fine. I did find an app that allows remote monitoring without the need to login to the PeakDo website (LinkPower) - it does require an annual subscription of $19.95 but my initial thoughts are it's worth it to see the status of the battery unit remotely via Bluetooth - so you do need to be relatively close to the StarLink. If you want Wifi access, I guess this is where the L3 unit may be useful but, for me, I didn't see the value.

3) And this one, if it works, will allow me to mount this on my Sherpa Atlas roof rack. - I product from Smart Touring Systems (STS) out of Australia called the QuickFit Mini Mount - basically an enclosed container that you attach to the roof rack that has a lockable hatch to remove the Starlink. It is large enough to accomodate the PeakDo attachment as well which means no external power cables required! - The catch is of course, you are limited to roughly 4 hours of run time (until the battery drains) unless you do run a cable to charge the PeakDo or, theoretically, mount a solar panel on the roof as well. The other catch is that this mount is not cheap... around $400 for the unit. I ordered the unit on Sept 6 and was just informed it made it to the US today... It has not yet cleared customs so not sure when it will arrive.

Testing to date:
I set up the Starlink outside my home. Getting good reception - See photo below: 222MBPS Downstream, 17 MBPS Upstream. The StarLink is drawing about 22W, and the PeakDo is predicting 4Hours of battery life. I attached a small clip of the quality of video streaming - at least in a stationary position.

The real test will be once the STS Mount shows up and I can install and operate from the GX. Concerns are, does it work as advertised and, also, any thermal issues given the enclosure. We shall see...

Stay tuned!

 

[YellowLab]

Looks like a great set up! I'll probably stick with the battery cable as I have an Anker dual battery set up with solar recharging, trying to make that the sole non-car battery power system. That is beefy download speed - the starlink systems are going to give even home broadband providers a run for their money, some of the home mounted Starlinks are pushing 400mbs and at a better price point.

 

[Bluegill]

That's pretty slick. I'm almost ready to pull the trigger on a Starlink. I'm going to do the Peakdo #2 too and I think either a magnetic or suction mount. I may try to mount my Ecoflow 45 watt solar panel up to the roof as well just for camping trips. I was impressed with how well the solar panel worked charging my big Ecoflow battery system and my Gooloo jump starter battery. Would be nice to have the solar panel secured up on the roof, feeding energy to the Peakdo & Starlink, while off-roading and camping. I have to investigate which cables come with the products, which cables provide what kind of power, etc. I've quickly learned that using the right cables makes all the difference. I never really dug deep into electrical engineering - it's always been a bit of a mystery to me.

 

[1sjshrk]

That's pretty slick. I'm almost ready to pull the trigger on a Starlink. I'm going to do the Peakdo #2 too and I think either a magnetic or suction mount. I may try to mount my Ecoflow 45 watt solar panel up to the roof as well just for camping trips. I was impressed with how well the solar panel worked charging my big Ecoflow battery system and my Gooloo jump starter battery. Would be nice to have the solar panel secured up on the roof, feeding energy to the Peakdo & Starlink, while off-roading and camping. I have to investigate which cables come with the products, which cables provide what kind of power, etc. I've quickly learned that using the right cables makes all the difference. I never really dug deep into electrical engineering - it's always been a bit of a mystery to me.

After I get the Starlink successfully mounted, I was thinking about the same thing with the solar panels. I have a small Jackery Solar Panel to play with now… but they only produce 40Ws …. I think the minimum required is a 60W to make it fully self sustaining. Anker makes a portable 60W panel system… but for now, I’ll be happy if the Starlink/PeakDo successfully works with the roof mount

 

[Bluegill]

The 40-45 solar panels are fine.

From the web:

The Starlink Mini typically consumes 20 to 40 watts on average during normal use, and about 15 watts when idle.

Power Breakdown

• Idle/Light Use: ~15–20 watts (basic browsing or email).
• Active Use: ~20–40 watts (streaming video or video calls).
• Startup/Peak: Up to 45–60 watts briefly when booting up and connecting to satellites.

So the solar in full sun will keep up with the power demand, IF you’re connected through the PeakDo battery. My goal is to extend the 4-5 hours of PeakDo battery life. AI tells me that even partial sun (providing about 15-20 watts solar power), will extend the PeakDo to about 7-10 hours.

 

[1sjshrk]

Here's the update. I was able to successfully complete the installation of the STS Roof Rack Mount for the StarLink/PeakDo combo on my GX (see photos). It's low enough profile that you really can't see it from the ground. I ran a static test and worked fine. I also ran my first road test (only going about 40 mph) and had my granddaughter make a Facetime call while we were driving. No issues other than when I parked under a tree, the connection got spotty (as expected). It was a short run so I didn't get a good estimate of actual battery life (I'll run that test later as well as, just for fun, lay out the solar panels on the roof as well.