Starlink 12 Volt Conversion w/ XTAR-LINK EL3 & Power Testing | Tutorial & Review

This is a complete and comprehensive guide to how to convert your OEM Starlink Gen. 2 dish to run on 12-volt DC power in less than 30 minutes, utilizing the XTAR-Link 12v Conversion Kit
00:00 Intro
01:27 What's In The Kit
05:32 Starlink on AC Results
07:58 Setup of Xtar-Link Device
10:00 Starlink on 12v DC Results
11:26 Final Power Numbers
13:28 My Install and Update on Smart Switch
You can get $20 OFF via our XTAR-LINK link directly below and enter WANDERON at Checkout. You can also get an additional $10 OFF coupon after subscribing to their website.
Discount code: WANDERON
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If you prefer Amazon here is the link for the Xtar-Link Bundle (actuated dish)
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If you have the V3 dish they also have a conversion kit for that as well.
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WiFi Wireless Smart Switch Relay Module for Smart Home 5V 5V/12.
• Starlink SPX Cable | R...
Looking for more info on our ethernet cable mod?
Starlink SPX Cable | RJ45 Ethernet Cable Modification | 15 Minute Upgrade
• Starlink SPX Cable | R...
Are you tired of the proprietary cable that Starlink uses on the Gen 2 (articulating dish)? I found this great option that allows you to ditch that 75ft cable and convert it to an RJ45 Ethernet cable in 15 minutes without splicing wires and you can customize any length of cable you will need.
This is the Klutchteck Starlink SPX Plug to RJ45 Adapters, Waterproof Starlink Cable RJ45 Female Connectors Designed for Starlink Gen 2 Dishy and Router Starlink Accessories
Products Used in the Video
Starlink SPX Adaptor Kit
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Startech 12ft Cat6a Cable (other sizes available)
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Self-Fusing Silicone Tape
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GearIt Alternative Cat6 Cable (recommended by other users)
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Power Cord Hatch
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Starlink 12 volt Conversion w/ XTAR-LINK EL3 & Power Consumption Testing | DIY Tutorial & Review

[@ytluckynuts]

Awesome. Thanks for your Video. I bought the version for the new flat dish but have not hooked it up yet. Gonna do that soon. :)

[@thewanderingshores]

Excellent, ours has been working fantastic ever since we installed it about 2 months ago. Glad the video was helpful and I actually didn't know that they had also created a version for the flat dish, so that's great news.

[@ThreeDayRV]

Very cool Kyle! Great find

[@thewanderingshores]

Thanks, it's been working really great so far and I can definitely tell the power savings each morning when I get up

[@billycordery6479]

Great info!

[@thewanderingshores]

Thanks Billy, it's been working well so far for the last week. Hopefully it continues to perform the same.

[@bobanddangsjourney]

Good job on this Kyle - if this was around when I was doing my 12v conversion I would have definitely considered it. It does everything you want. I'm surprised you used 48 WH with the original router, but I guess every case is different. I think the biggest savings for me is being able to shut off the main inverter in the trailer and still have starlink on - for times when I need to be available all night and we are out in the middle of nowhere :) Great job I think this video is going to help a lot of people!

[@thewanderingshores]

Thanks Bob, yes I was actually surprised only used 48wh, i was expecting more. The thing I didn't want to try to account for is that I normally are running the Starlink off my 3000w interter so I actually think the conversion is saving me more power since that interter in the power stations is only a 600w. I do still have to keep the interter on because I run my fridge off of it as well. I have seen a significant power saving each day overall already. I have been putting it to "sleep" at night until the new smart switch arrives. Thanks for watching- K

[@bobanddangsjourney]

@@thewanderingshores i think the power savings will largely depend on the efficiency of the inverter. Many lose 15% right off the bat so that's a huge win right there. Cheers - glad it's working well for you! This should be a popular video :)

[@UniqueAdventurez]

Great video. We don’t have starlink. But I would have thought with such portability it would have already had factory options for dc power. Pretty big savings in power. Especially if you boondock.

[@thewanderingshores]

It's been working great for us, the power savings is well worth it. Thanks for your support, happy camping and wander on- Kyle

[@freelyroaming]

I had a 12v DC smart relay connected to my 12v converted starlink as well. But I find it to cause reliability issues. even though it is rated for 10A, the traces on those boards are usually too small and created some high resistance, voltage drop issues that made the dish reboot from time to time. I also eliminated as many connectors in between the dish and the power source as possible. Those WAGO connectors will also cause some voltage drop. I ditched as many of unnecessary components as I could and its been much more reliable since.

[@thewanderingshores]

Thanks so much for that info. That is super helpful. I'll probably dig into the wiring again then and clean that up. I haven't gotten the new Smart switch so maybe I'll just leave it the way it is minus the Wago connectors. Thanks for the heads up

[@chapter4travels]

I want to convert my V2 to my house 24vdc system but I'm going to wait for reviews on the new Starlink Mini which is coming out in a few months. It will run directly off my 24v system without any conversion and has a built-in router. Power draw is supposed to average 25w. I'm sure there will be some performance compromise but my needs are pretty basic.

[@thewanderingshores]

Yeah, I was watching a recap video from the mobile internet resource Center yesterday about the mini. Looks like a much more viable option than originally thought.

[@chapter4travels]

@@thewanderingshores My concern is performance in less than ideal conditions. (storms or obstructions) I'm in Grand Mesa now with some partial tree obstruction yet I still get good internet. Phone calls get dropped but that will happen with any obstruction. But 25 watts and a lower monthly charge looks very attractive.

[@thewanderingshores]

​@@chapter4travelsI'm sure a lot of people are going to take it through some real thorough testing and hopefully the price is right. If it's consistent and gets 100 down then it's pretty good for just about anything, especially with the small compact size automatically being able to run off 12 volt and having the Wi-Fi router built into it already.

[@jeffbachant]

Great video on what looks like a great 12v conversion. Any reason you do not use the sleep schedule in the Starlink app to save power. Or does that not work once you remove the Starlink router. Hope to see you guys on the road sometime. We will be boondocking all summer in Colorado.

[@thewanderingshores]

Hey Jeff, great to hear from you . So yes, you still have access to all the functions of the starlink app even though you're running it through a different router. What I have started doing right now is running it in sleep mode in the evening. The only real reason I don't do that normally is because I'd rather it be at 0 W than even a reduced amount that it takes when it is in sleep. I figure if in sleep mode it's not going to be providing internet anyway. I might as well just eliminate all power to it. But I've been using it now for a week since I haven't gotten the new Smart switch yet. And I've noticed a huge power reduction overall and it's definitely a great conversion. Have a fantastic time in Colorado. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out. We've done reviews of most all of the areas that we stayed in but not 100% of them.- Kyle

[@megadesertdiesel1468]

Any tips on using the Xtra-Link router as in setup. There are zero instructions for router setup. I’m on vacation in SW Colorado and installed everything inside a cabinet with a inline power switch.

[@thewanderingshores]

Let me check, I think mine came with some basic instructions in the box, I'll look for them. Do me a favore and send me and email so I can email you what I find. [e-mail] thanks Kyle (UPDATE I found the instructions and have photos I can send you)

[@megadesertdiesel1468]

@@thewanderingshores email sent

[@ouRVisionnomadicliving]

Interesting Video buddy. We currently run our Star Link off our 2000 Watt Go Power Inverter that is plumbed to our 4, 6 volt batteries. At night I stow starlink and shut off the power to the router as it does pull about 6 amps an hour if I leave it on all night. I happen to have a cigarette DC power plug in the panel behind our TV (I installed it as we run a DC fan using it frequently). $200 bucks ish seems pretty reasonable for the parts to convert our system over. Does your promo code work with the Amazon Link? Or would we need to order directly from the company so you can get that small kickback? If I do it I will probably pull the trigger next next month. I did see there was a $10.00 price savings from ordering off their website, however with our 5% Prime rewards that is moot. Anyways, great video buddy. Sean

[@thewanderingshores]

Hey Sean, Thanks for checking and obviously watching the video. So the way things work is if you buy directly through their site you'll get the $10 discount for signing up for their mailing list and then a $20 discount using my discount code WANDERON. So the total should be around 169 before taxes etc.. The Amazon link that is in the video description is a affiliate link for our Amazon store, so if you use that link and purchase through Amazon then we'll get a small kickback. It's about half of what we would get if you went through their website, but feel free to use either. Whatever is best for your situation. We've had it working now for 2 weeks and I can confirm it's still doing really well and the power savings is very noticeable throughout the day and especially overnight. We still have to run our inverter because our refrigerator is on that, but we're not having to power our starlink router or the powered ethernet splitter that we also had running, but I didn't want to get into all of that in the video 🙂

[@ouRVisionnomadicliving]

@@thewanderingshores sounds great, I will order it directly. 😁

[@dave-pf7lt]

Is there any issue in remote mounting the POV, 10 feet?

[@thewanderingshores]

Dave I'm not really sure if the answer, but customer service has been great at getting back to me quickly.

[@dave-pf7lt]

@@thewanderingshores thanks for the reply.

[@blairM363]

Very nice review, hope you don’t take any of those components off the wall when you walk by them.

[@thewanderingshores]

Thanks Blair, really apprecaite you watching. I know it's hard to tell in that video, but the spot I secured it to the wall is in the corner of the RV. We actually have a rear slide so that area is tucked away behind everything and not in a walkway. It was thin enough also that the slide comes in with no problem without even getting close to it. Thanks- Kyle

[@Greg_Jones]

I've no doubt Inverters, no matter how hidden, in electronics suck. I have 2, one is 400w and the other 2000w. The 400w is no longer hooked up an the 2000w is in the storage unit. The first thing I did was get a 12v power cord for the laptop. Instead of jumping from 12 to 110 and down to 18-20 (laptop v) it just steps up to 20v. Quite a savings in energy. I know that Starlink is a power hog. This can't do anything but help.

[@thewanderingshores]

I agree Greg, so fair we are about 2+ weeks in on 12v and it has made a big difference. We decided not to install the smart switch but to just "put it to sleep" at night and we are still waking up in the moring wiht 15-20% more battery then we used to. It's been great for our setup.

[@Lex10999]

If you wanted to verify this device you needed to use Everything they supplied. Most of us do NOT use more items then the normal Starlink stiff. Therefore we are not getting the real information from this test of the items you tested. Bummer.

[@thewanderingshores]

Most people looking to convert to 12v are likely not planning to run their system with the basic router they provide. The website does offer a way to purchase the kit with out the router as well. I am more concerned with the power consumption of the modification so that was the focus of my testing.