Starlink POE or Dual Port?

[JT Long]

Thinking how I’m going to get the ethernet cable from my Starlink Mini into the LE2 and plugged into my router and powering the dish from my camper batteries.  (Rather do DC power and not have to use the inverter.) Has anyone installed the SmartPlug dual data port, replacing the factory satellite port?  That would give me ports for both the ethernet and power cables to exit the hull.  I’m thinking I could use the 12V port in the attic with the Starlink 12V cable kit, but that won’t leave me with much power cable length outside the camper to move the dish around.  My goal is to use the camper batteries for power and a third party router inside instead of relying on the built-in wifi in the dish.
**I know the Mini does not support POE,  However, Mobilemusthave.com has a kit that carries the power over the ethernet cable and then splits it back out at the dish.  Sort of a POE solution that allows you to have only one cable going out of the hull instead of two.

Edited Saturday at 05:36 PM by JT Long

[rich.dev]

Maybe this post will provide you with some answers.

 

[Snackchaser]

Hey JT, 

Also take a look at my other post for getting your ethernet cable into the Oliver in a neat and professional manner:  "Don’t cut your Starlink Cable! There’s a better way to install Starlink…"  

For the Mini, you will still have to run both the power cable and ethernet cable to do what it sounds like you'r describing.  The second router is a great idea because, as you know, the WiFi/speed decreases when the Mini is placed further away from the trailer.  We travel in the Pacific Northwest with lots of trees so we often have to move the dishy farther away to find a clear sky.  Flexibly in that regard is a must for us too!

Cheers,  Geoff

[JT Long]

This is the POE injector kit I am considering.  It boosts 12V coach batteries to 48V up to 100W over ethernet, and on the Starlink end splits out the power back to the DC port on the dish.  The converter has a LAN port to connect to an external router.  This solution would allow you to only send a Cat6 ethernet cable out to the dish, negating the need for a separate power cable.
My router is the Beryl AX3000 WiFi 6 portable router, which can be powered though a USB C PD port for a completely DC solution.

Edited yesterday at 04:42 AM by JT Long

[Snackchaser]

Yea that looks like a quality product.  Thanks for sharing!  With the voltage boosted to 48 volts, you could run the dishy father away than the standard power cord will allow, and it's easy to make your own ethernet cables with a few cheap amazon tools, bulk wire and connectors.   I like the DC modem too!  We used to run the Starlink gen 3 modem on the inverter and had to shut it off to save the battery.  Now it just stays on all the time without a worry.

Cheers, Geoff

[jd1923]

Thank you @JT Long and @Snackchaser. We have the “Speed Demon” kit also from MobileMustHave. The Pepwave modem runs on 12VDC too, installed in our tow vehicle. So far we are only connecting by cellular antenna. Something like this is in our future, connecting a powered-up Starlink Mini to the WAN port of the modem. 😂

[JT Long]

My alternative to this solution is to stick with separate ethernet and power cables and install a SmartPlug data port outlet, replacing the existing satellite coax port. I could then use the OEM Starlink 12V/USB cable kit to bring power from the 12V power port in the attic to the SmartPlug port and the other ethernet jack to connect to my Beryl AX router. I would just need to get a keystone coupler barrel connector (the SmartPlug accepts keystone ports) to pass the power out to the Starlink power cable.  I could then loom the power and ethernet cables together.

I think this will work and might be a cheaper solution.  I would need to install a USB C port in the attic for the Beryl AX router.

Edited 20 hours ago by JT Long

[jd1923]

2 hours ago, JT Long said:

I could then use the OEM Starlink 12V/USB cable kit to bring power from the 12V power port in the attic to the SmartPlug port and the other ethernet jack to connect to my Beryl AX router…

I think this will work and might be a cheaper solution.  I would need to install a USB C port in the attic for the Beryl AX router.

You have 12VDC in the attic and adding a USB-C port is easy enough.

What @Snackchaser Geoff was suggesting is that his powered solution and the device you suggested earlier would boost voltage for a longer distance cable run.

Part of me says forget the extra length and mount the Mini on the roof of my truck right next to the Parsec cell antenna! 60+ days out camping so far, only a few days were in the woods and 50’ away, we’d still be in the woods! Most of our camping will always be in the SW where tall trees start at 7K ft elevation. I could always move the truck too since Wi-Fi distance on the Parsec antenna is over 100 ft. Keep us posted on your install!

[JT Long]

UPDATE: I have confirmed with MobileMustHave that the USB C port on their converter is powered at 5V, 3 amps, which is a PERFECT fit power supply for the GL-iNet Beryl AX router.  I can just tap the wires going to the 12V port in the attic to power their POE converter, then plug the Beryl AX into the USB C port on the converter.  That will get me a 100% DC solution off the camper batteries and I only have to send out a single ethernet cable to the Starlink Mini dish, through the existing satellite coax port on the Ollie.  I can then save my Starlink power cable for other applications when using it away from the camper.

Edited 1 hour ago by JT Long