Starlink Mini

[Tenac]

The OEM cable the Mini comes with is intended to be used with the AC power adapter which outputs 30 volt DC. 60W @ 30V is only 2A, but is 5A at 12V. This is what causes issues with the OEM cable (or cables longer than 2m or so) at "12v" (12-14.5v)

Oh yeah that is a great point, while the Starlink Mini USB-C cable requires a 100W 20V, 5A at 10m (18AWG). With 12v being the lowest it will operate at, are we thinking that the ports on top of the grenny fall below 12v 10amps with a 1 meter addition? I can test this tomorrow for sure, since I will be using the truck and Mini most of the day I can plug it into another port. I can even check with my meter. I would think you would need like 100' to really start dipping below 12v...... Unless ones battery isn't well that healthy maybe its being pulled down?

 

[Born_ in_a_tent]

Hi All
I repositioned the Starlink mini so I could use EXT 2 and unfortunately I had the same result as previously, i.e. it worked for a couple of minutes then dropped out. Once it drops out it won't come back on. I guess I need to find out why I'm not getting a constant minimum of 12v at the outlet.
I had been having battery problems with the car but had a new battery installed before using the starlink.
By the way, if you buy one of these owl magnetic mounts don't expect to be able to easily remove it from your roof. The magnets are incredibly strong. I have ended up mounting it on a steel plate that I have bolted to the roof rack so that at least I can take it off the roof without having to get Eddie Hall involved.

 

[Born_ in_a_tent]

Multi meter reading is 12.4v at EXT2

 

[Tenac]

Hi All
I repositioned the Starlink mini so I could use EXT 2 and unfortunately I had the same result as previously, i.e. it worked for a couple of minutes then dropped out. Once it drops out it won't come back on. I guess I need to find out why I'm not getting a constant minimum of 12v at the outlet.
I had been having battery problems with the car but had a new battery installed before using the starlink.
By the way, if you buy one of these owl magnetic mounts don't expect to be able to easily remove it from your roof. The magnets are incredibly strong. I have ended up mounting it on a steel plate that I have bolted to the roof rack so that at least I can take it off the roof without having to get Eddie Hall involved.

That magnet is nuts.... lol Really wondering if your cable has an issue the 1m. Since you have ruled out the Starlink by connecting it to another source and runs fine. Have you checked your electrical screen to monitor when you turn it on see if anything funky shows up?

 

[anand]

Multi meter reading is 12.4v at EXT2

Is it still reading 12.4v at the end of the cable and under load though? As load increases the voltage drop will increase in a non-linear rate with the small wire size

 

[Tenac]

Is it still reading 12.4v at the end of the cable and under load though? As load increases the voltage drop will increase in a non-linear rate with the small wire size

Great point! I've been on the 10amp circuit this morning for past two hours, no issues yet. However Born in a Tent has issues no matter the source from the grenny.... Do we know the wire size within the grenny itself?

 

[Itsdchz]

Added the Starlink Mini, @DVA Mechanics Rack mount, they also have the IG handle mount available, and their plug n play connector to EXT 2. LOVE it. Quick easy 5 min install!

 

[Squizz]

I added a starlink mini just the other day using a mount from SVNTY Offroad. It's a pretty good mount. I just swapped out the mounting hardware for anti-theft stuff and used LocTite 263. If someone wants to take it, they will need to work at it a little. I was sceptical reading about the power requirements. Many, many, Starlink forums say that although it will work on 12v, it is recommended to use a higher voltage just to make sure. I suppose if it's connected with a 15m cable then yea, it would need a higher voltage. After a mild panic worrying about having to install a converter to up the voltage, I flipped the switches in the overhead panel, waited a bit, and BAM. It just worked. Happy days. Driving around the outskirts of Sydney it just worked and worked really well. I'm pleased with it.

 

[TJ D]

We just finished a week of camping with the mini mounted up on the rack. Deutch plug and a short cable to the unit plugged into the front passenger side port. Worked flawlessly even with the vehicle off and batt down at 12.4. Never an issue. We did notice that there seems to be a power interruption when starting the vehicle, not sure if this is from voltage drop on startup, or the vehicle switching from the 'pwr' switch circuit, but in any case, it was back up and running in a few moments. Worked great at 75mph too. Brilliant piece of kit.

 

[Clark Kent]

We just finished a week of camping with the mini mounted up on the rack. Deutch plug and a short cable to the unit plugged into the front passenger side port. Worked flawlessly even with the vehicle off and batt down at 12.4. Never an issue. We did notice that there seems to be a power interruption when starting the vehicle, not sure if this is from voltage drop on startup, or the vehicle switching from the 'pwr' switch circuit, but in any case, it was back up and running in a few moments. Worked great at 75mph too. Brilliant piece of kit.

Highlighted

@TJ D I've mentioned this a couple of times where my INT1 powered Wolfbox mirror will drop offline during engine start if I pause the key at position 1 (On). As soon as I turn the key to position 2 (Crank) from position 1 the mirror drops offline. It doesn't drop out if I go from Off to Crank without pausing at On.
I didn't get much response to my posts so was thinking it's a quirk of the mirror. Your observation suggests there is definitely an interruption to the INTx and EXTx outlets during engine start, either a relay changeover or voltage drop as you say.

Not pausing at On might allow the Wolfbox power supply (a 12v to 5v USB-C converter) to buffer enough power to keep the mirror alive. If that's correct it suggests the PWR circuit is deactivated as soon as the key is turned to On which makes sense. Give it a try and see how the Starlink handles it.

 

[TJ D]

Highlighted

@TJ D I've mentioned this a couple of times where my INT1 powered Wolfbox mirror will drop offline during engine start if I pause the key at position 1 (On). As soon as I turn the key to position 2 (Crank) from position 1 the mirror drops offline. It doesn't drop out if I go from Off to Crank without pausing at On.
I didn't get much response to my posts so was thinking it's a quirk of the mirror. Your observation suggests there is definitely an interruption to the INTx and EXTx outlets during engine start, either a relay changeover or voltage drop as you say.

Not pausing at On might allow the Wolfbox power supply (a 12v to 5v USB-C converter) to buffer enough power to keep the mirror alive. If that's correct it suggests the PWR circuit is deactivated as soon as the key is turned to On which makes sense. Give it a try and see how the Starlink handles it.

I'll do that-I honestly didn't pay it much mind since the thing rebooted straight away, but it's probably better for the unit not to kill it every time we start the engine. Will give it a go.

 

[Itsdchz]

Highlighted

@TJ D I've mentioned this a couple of times where my INT1 powered Wolfbox mirror will drop offline during engine start if I pause the key at position 1 (On). As soon as I turn the key to position 2 (Crank) from position 1 the mirror drops offline. It doesn't drop out if I go from Off to Crank without pausing at On.
I didn't get much response to my posts so was thinking it's a quirk of the mirror. Your observation suggests there is definitely an interruption to the INTx and EXTx outlets during engine start, either a relay changeover or voltage drop as you say.

Not pausing at On might allow the Wolfbox power supply (a 12v to 5v USB-C converter) to buffer enough power to keep the mirror alive. If that's correct it suggests the PWR circuit is deactivated as soon as the key is turned to On which makes sense. Give it a try and see how the Starlink handles it.

Mine drops out on start of engine, and I do not pause the turn on process.

 

[TJ D]

Mine drops out on start of engine, and I do not pause the turn on process.

I'd imagine that system voltage drops to maybe 10 or 11v when cranking, so that may just be a bridge too far for the mini to handle.