Anyone move to the Starlink Mini in your FWC?

[rjap]

I measured the voltage at the exterior Starlink Mini port and it is 29.45V. I’ll defer to the experts, but I suspect the voltage needs to be raised up to account for voltage drop caused by the long Starlink Mini cable.

 

[superduty]

Another rookie question, the photo above is of a 12/24-5 isolated. So I understand that I can just go with a non isolated and not have to bond the grounds. But in a FWC, nothing is 24V. Why wouldnt they put in a 12/12 dc2dc instead?

I believe they are using this Victron part solely to convert power from 12v to 24v in order to power the starlink mini. The mini uses 30v, but will work with 12v+. If you want to use OEM cable that comes with the mini you need to boost the power at the source, otherwise (if trying to use 12v) there is too much power loss over the small gauge cable.

 

[superduty]

I measured the voltage at the exterior Starlink Mini port and it is 29.45V. I’ll defer to the experts, but I suspect the voltage needs to be raised up to account for voltage drop caused by the long Starlink Mini cable.

Your assumption is correct. My Starlink mini works fine on a lithium 12v (I say 12v, but a 12v lithium is usually going to be over 12.6v) but I am not using the OEM cable. I am using 12awg from the power supply, then I splice into THIS which is 14awg.

 

[Vic Harder]

Another rookie question, the photo above is of a 12/24-5 isolated. So I understand that I can just go with a non isolated and not have to bond the grounds. But in a FWC, nothing is 24V. Why wouldnt they put in a 12/12 dc2dc instead?

That's just for the Starlink, I believe. My Starlink Actuated runs on 48v.

 

[bajaphile]

Just to reiterate what superduty is saying... I run my Starlink Mini directly to my LiFePO4 12V battery without a step-up converter. The wall outlet adapter provides a 30V source, but the Mini will run fine off 12V. As superduty already mentioned, it is important you make your own, or buy a larger gauge wire to ensure there is minimal voltage drop.

I didn't want to hardmount mine, I use a mag mount from Trio on the cab and just plug it in when I need it, then store it inside when I'm not. Mini Speedmount

 

[superduty]

That's just for the Starlink, I believe. My Starlink Actuated runs on 48v.

The Gen 3 Standard starlink actuated indeed works off 48v. Starlink mini power supply is 30v, but a solid 12v at the dish will run it fine.

 

[superduty]

Just to reiterate what superduty is saying... I run my Starlink Mini directly to my LiFePO4 12V battery without a step-up converter. The wall outlet adapter provides a 30V source, but the Mini will run fine off 12V. As superduty already mentioned, it is important you make your own, or buy a larger gauge wire to ensure there is minimal voltage drop.

I didn't want to hardmount mine, I use a mag mount from Trio on the cab and just plug it in when I need it, then store it inside when I'm not. Mini Speedmount

Love the Trio speed mount. I use the same mount. They also have a cigarette lighter cable for the mini.