Powering a Starlink Mini in a car
The kit has what you need for a car: a 12 V adapter and the Starlink USB-C power cable. This page covers how they fit together and what to watch for.
What the Mini needs
Starlink lists the Mini's average power use at about 25 to 40 W. Its USB-C power cable needs a 100 W USB-C Power Delivery source (20 V, 5 A). That is more than a phone charger gives, so an ordinary USB-C charger is not enough.
The route in your kit
The car's 12 V socket, then the car adapter in your kit, then the Starlink USB-C power cable (5 m, about 16 ft), then the Mini. The cable is a special Starlink cable, not an ordinary USB-C cable. Use the adapter port that the card in the box marks for the Mini.
Routing the cable
- Set it up while the car is parked.
- Leave some slack. Keep the cable clear of airbags, pedals, the gear shifter and the door seal.
- The USB-C end is not weatherproof. Keep it inside the car and out of the rain.
- Leave the adapter's other ports empty while the Mini runs.
Where to put the Mini
Inside a window with a clear view of the sky, on the vehicle mount (a silicone case with four suction cups), or outside on its built-in kickstand. If the suction cups do not hold on your glass, use the kickstand on a flat surface instead. Never place it where it blocks your view of the road or an airbag.
Some windshields and tinted windows block the signal. If it will not connect behind glass, put it outside with a clear view of the sky.
Engine off and long stops
Some vehicles keep the 12 V socket on when parked and others switch it off with the ignition. The kit has no battery, so the Mini stops when the socket does. Running it for hours with the engine off can run the car battery down, so check your vehicle's manual first.
Camping or a hotel: the wall-outlet route
The kit also has the Mini's original power supply and its 15 m cable. Plug the power supply into a wall outlet and the 15 m cable into the Mini. This is a different cable from the USB-C one, so do not plug it into the car adapter.
Questions
Can I use my own USB-C cable or charger?
Use the cable in your kit. A different cable, or a charger rated below 100 W, may not power the Mini. A power bank that can deliver 100 W USB-C Power Delivery can work with the kit's USB-C cable.
Will it keep running with the engine off?
That depends on your vehicle. Some sockets stay on and some switch off. The kit has no battery, so the Mini stops when the socket stops.
Can I use it while the car is moving?
We have not tested use in motion and do not offer it as a feature. Starlink's own terms say where and how a plan can be used. Set it up while parked, and keep the mount and cable out of the driver's view.
Will the adapter fit my car?
It plugs into a standard 12 V accessory socket, the cigarette-lighter type. Sockets differ in power rating between vehicles. If you are unsure about yours, ask us before you book.
What if it does not power on?
Check both ends of the cable, try another socket or the wall-outlet route, then follow the no-power steps in the setup help.
More: how it works · data and slow speed