Working from the road when adventure can't wait for retirement. We share our adventures, lessons learned, gear recomendations, and best practices for travel overland and working remotely while camping. Hopefully we can offer some entertainment and helpful information. Please check out the intro video for the details on the method behind the madness for the channel. We hope you enjoy the ride!
The tall slender cactus is an ocotillo . Did you get to drive up into the Chisos Basib? Totally different area, forests , much cooler. Any of the Canyons?
Excellent video man, earned yourself a new subscriber! Looking forward to watching your other videos. Super informative and I appreciated you sharing the good and the bad. My Starlink mini gets here in a few days, and I should wrap up building my custom self designed pop up camper for my Tacoma by Labor Day weekend! Looking forward to an autumn full of chasing leaves and views while working remote on my SL Mini!
Welcome and thank you! That sounds like an awesome setup for working from the road. I love having million dollar views almost every day and the adventure time on weekends without the commute. Starlink Mini was a game changer on opening up possible camping locations. If using WiFi calling and video meetings make sure you get spots with a clear view of the sky. mountaintop meadows are my favorite.
I have been on the fence about the mini. I run the gen 3 and the power usage caused me to buy a bluetti so I dont have to run my generator to work. I really like the portability of the mini, i could in theory, put it on the dash and work while my wife drives.
I almost got the Gen3 myself, but my wife would only allow 1 purchase. I heald out for the mini and it was worth it for the power savings. 50 gig of data goes a long way too if you limit your streaming video time too.
I have a Renault Trafic bus. I use a tarp, and place magnets on the bus ( 4 magnets you use in house for knives ) , and also use those poles. Easy and cheap .
Very good and funny video !! Why you did not test the mini horizontal ? I see videos where they do that with the gen 2 placing it in a roof window. I live in Sweden with many many trees, so I hope my mini ( that I will get soon ) works as you showed it !
I am in a camp ground with heavy trees and there are a lot of cut outs. Running horizontal now in this spot since I only have a tiny sliver of the sky straight up, and it works for email. I will include a view of it in a follow up video to give you an idea. when you first start up it will tell you the preferred direction. In the USA it mostly wants to face North, but not sure of direction for other areas. I hope it works well for you!
HELL YES! This is exactly what I was lookin' for. Perfect. I was hoping to see a quick run through on the PD 100W USB-c to 5521 cable. I use my Starlink Mini with a Jackery 1000 and it has a 100W USB-c output, which is perfect for the Mini Dish! Nicely done, amigo...or Frog Man, maybe?! 🐸😉
I mounted my mini on the ladder on the back of my small travel trailer, the only way I could get non interrupted wifi, was to be outside the trailer. Now Looking into a wifi extender.
Thanks for the video. I have a solar system connected to my Jeep battery. Would it work if I spliced the original starling mini cable with a powerpole connector and plug to my battery?
most likely it would not work with the mini cable. Everything I have seen on the web is that the cable that comes with the mini is not thick enough for 12v input. you would likely need to run thicker wire or get a 12v to 36/48v boost converter to wire off your battery. I would use thick wire to get the boost converter out of your engine area for temp reasons, put a switch in to not have the draw when not in use, and then run that to plug for the mini cord.
@@OverlandCalling thanks for the reply. What do you think about a female barrel to USB-C PD connector then the connected to a cigarette lighter type USB-C PD that goes up to 80w?
@@relentlessfpv1822 that may work. If you already have it I would try it out before buying for sure. I was getting it to run off of 65w for 30 min testing and didn’t have a problem.
Starlink now offers a Mini roof rack mount, $55. I ordered mine on Aug 2 and should receive it this week. It should fit my Jeep Commander roof rack, but might be tight. Wish me luck!
I have not tried 12v through the cable, but I have seen plenty on videos with people trying and the voltage drop over that distance with the small wires was too much for it to work. The BlueSea website has a great wire chart showing the wire size needed for distances. Way cheaper to just boost that voltage. USB C PD does just fine though. I have been testing that cord combo with the 50’ Starlink cord from my video for over 60 hours of use now.
hey Brian, do a test for me, i need to know if i plug in ethernet the wireless quits completely, i do special work that relies on a microwave / wireless free zones, would love to get this but need to know i can go completely wired with no wireless signals other than the satelite dish pointed at sky, but no wifi back at truck
Good video good information for Brian. What program or service are you using? Are you doing the $50 or the $150 and are they working for you as I see they are but it’s the data that concerns me the most.
I am on the $50/month plan with $1/gig after that. I already opted in before I went off grid because I heard that you could not opt in if you hit the cap and had no cell service to get to Starlink.com to opt in. Also you do get an email once you are at 80% of your data usage. I am a bit over the 50 gig right now, but I have been using it a lot and I uploaded two RU-vid videos.
Nice job, Brian! You and I met on Reddit, where you offered your insight on the 12v-36v up converter. I ended up going with an Elfclub 12v to 48 unit. I figured if I ever needed to go with an extra long (75'+) cable, running 48 would be better than 36. So far so good, all my testing as gone well. When you did your 36v unit, what did you fuse it at? I originally spec'd a 7A fuse in my DC fuse block. It kept blowing. I put my clamp meter on it and measured a surge upon turn-on of the Elfclub of 25A+, and it would settle to zero. I then installed a 30A fuse and it worked. When playing some streaming video, the meter read a nominal 1.25-1.50 amps. My connection from DC block through the switch you suggested, to the Elfclub DC to DC is very short and I used 12awg wire. So I'm not to concerned with wire overheating when the surge is probably 1/2 a second. Just curious if you measured yours? Thx
I am using a ram mount system. Not for in motion of course. Took the pole adapter that comes with the mini and drilled a 1/4” hole in it. installed a ram ball, then used the ram arm and ball to mount it to the T track on the tent. It works like a champ even with fairly strong wind. I will have a video out in a few days. Going to try to film it before I break camp today. There are some other videos out for the ram mount already I think if you are tight no time.
Beautiful spot. One day I am going to call you from your pool. Great video. I hate clearing up after people. It seems Overland eddiquite is missing with many
In the easily accessible places I notice it all the time it seems. In the remote 4x4 required spots it seems pretty good. there always seem to be beer cans in the fire though. I don’t get that one at all. maybe it’s because I have a truck and it’s super easy to just toss them in back.
Yes you can, Exped recommends using their Widget Electric Pump to not run the risk of over inflation. I bought a cheap one from Walmart and used it for a while to test it out and it worked just fine. I was just careful not to over inflate.
Thanks for doing the testing with the different power sources! I found all the information I needed and I also appreciated the links you provided to the other cables! 👍
you got it. It did take a while to figure out how to get it together. I need to do an update video on how it is doing after me using it a lot anyway. Spoiler alert….it is still going strong.
Stay off those side trails for sure. God that was brutal. Like fingernails on a chalkboard the whole way. Main trail was not too bad, but it tends to get more narrow later in the year as things grow.
10:22 I just learned why ARB was made awning with aluminum case 11:20 Oh no this is the worst thing that happens to me when I go camping Especially when I pass a place with a lot of thorny trees, sharp as a needle 27:14 Just try You may regret not trying🤣
Bought the awning because it looked cool, but it turns out that there were a few other features that I liked. Durable and it actually goes back in the case easier than the 6.5 ft awning packed in the bag. I had been stuck on those two rocks on a previous trip. 🤣
Wow I just checked the spec sheet on Starlink.com and sure enough it says 2.5 now for the cord. I am certain that when I first checked it was 2.1mm for the inside dimension. I have a friend that just ordered a mini. I will check with them to see if the cord connections have changed.
I put a request into Starlink for clarification on the pin size on the dish and confirmation of the cord size. Of course no answer yet. I had a buddy that just got his Starlink and the 2.1 size USB C cord and adapter piece worked. If I hear back from Starlink I will post it up.
@@benjaminschneider Starlink gave me the run around and wanted a bunch of pictures of things that didn’t matter when all I asked was if the drawing was correct and what size pin the dish had. That cord seems to work just fine. I have been using it for about 1000 miles on my roadtrip testing it out. Also the USB C cord in the Amazon link has a 2.5 adapter. Of course all the adapters are sitting at home since I didn’t bring them on this trip.
Great video! You are correct that the trail changes quite a bit. Every couple years the Forest Service comes out and grades it, so right after that it's almost just a flat gravel road. Then over time it gets rougher again. Right now it's definitely a little more beat up than average, but still not quite as gnarly as it was right before they graded it last time at the end of Covid. That's the "problem" that this trail causes - somebody will have run it right after it's graded and easy, and they tell people it's a "West Virginia driveway" and you can do it stock, 2wd, aired up, full speed. Obviously bad advice. There have been two rescues up there just in the last year, presumably from folks being overconfident and under prepared.
Ahh nice to know I was not loosing my marbles. I am kind of glad it was rougher. made it more fun, but I don’t know if I would just blindly send someone there for their first trail.
Great video, Peter Mill Run is on my list to visit once my 2008 JKU Sahara 3.8L (215K miles) in great condition after many parts had been replaced in the last three years. Rocky condition trail is similar to Drummond Island - South Marblehead Trail in my home state Michigan. I am getting closer to finishing working on it because it's almost brand brand-new ish Jeep once again, lol. Greetings from Michigan!
Sounds like nice restoration you have going! Crazy number of miles! Hope ya enjoy your trip down to VA. My Virginia playlist has quite a few trails if you want to check out some more while you are down.
This was fantastic, showing all the different ways to hookup. The DC barrel connectors were exactly the way I need to go. I appreciate you taking the time to make this video. Great work.
Great info! Got the items from Amazon. It worked? Only issue was the cigarette plug in got warm. Not hot but warm. Didn't trip any things. But I wouldn't probably leave it on long periods. Next project is to do the 12v to 24v converter and see how that works. Thanks again!!
Thanks for the info on heat. I was testing in the middle of a heatwave, so didn’t notice it. Once I am out camp working I will check both out for long interval use.
I did some long term testing for 8 hours on each of the adapters and they ran well. Temps were in low 80’s for the testing. I also ran that 12-36 boost converter for 4 days straight and it worked like a champ! So far that is my favorite.
3:48 Since this bad surprise occurred on my way to camping, I will not be angry with it even if it causes serious damage to my car 😁 What is the appropriate tire pressure for these places? 12:07
I probably should have been paying more attention to the trail than was my camera lol. Pressure will vary more with tire size and specifically how much sidewall you have. I usually mine at 18-20 psi. A good general rule is to stop when you see it start to bulge just a little bit where it meets the ground. If you go too low you can dent your rim when going over rocks.
I boosted above 12V to be able to use the 49ft cord that came with the mini without the voltage dropping below 12 over the long distance and thin wires. For power the mini can accept 12V-48v. I could have gone with 24V but I didn’t know that for sure at the time. The AC plug that comes with Starlink mini converts to 30V and I chose 36V because it was slightly higher than the voltage used with the AC adapter and I knew it would work. Once I got my next Amazon shipment in I was able to test and find out that USB C at 20V would also work using the 49ft cord. With that new knowledge I put out the second video on using USB C with the long cord.
@@brockdelorenzo7505 I don’t know if 18V would work, but most likely it would. If foldable panel is a solar panel it most likely would not work direct wired unless it had PD protocol needed to manage power. The Starlink spec calls for 20v/5amp, but I have never seen it draw 5 amps. Maybe that is when using snowmelt.
13:14 yeah it's understandable the uploads speed drops. This tiny thing is sending 5-14 mbps equivalent signal to a satellite hundreds of km in space. Just impressive. The standard model has somewhat higher upload speed because of the antenna size and power.
***Failed after a month*** This was in place about a month and it got whacked pretty good causing the ball on my grab handle to strip out. It would no longer hold my iPad in position after that. I think I found a work around, but I am testing for a few months before posting a video about it. If you are thinking of purchasing this please be aware this is a possibility. If you already have this problem and are looking for a fix let me know and I will give you the details of the fix I am currently using.
Useful vid, thanks, short and to the point but full of information. Could you test out the wifi range, would be interesting to see if there is any significant drop in wifi speed or increase in packet loss, when you are 50ft away from the dish/router. Sometimes you will need to do this to get the dish away from obstructions out in the wild. Thanks.
Backyard testing using Starlink app Speed test and the Speedtest 3rd party app showed no repeatable loss of speed at 50ft with no obstructions. I could not test past 50ft in my yard, but will do a full video on speed with different distances once I get out camping next week.
@@AmandaandAustinC cool. I have seen videos where people are over 100ft away getting usable signal. I can’t think of anytime when I will actually need to go that far either.
I’ve been following two facebook groups for weeks trying to get an answered to if this could be done this easily and not one person suggested this. This is perfect. Thank you!
You are most welcome. I have to admit that I was not sure it would work. When I was buying the stuff I was already planning to use it to charge my laptop if it didn’t work.
@@OverlandCalling I think it was a combo of not having a connection and me telling my wife your story that did it for her. Also, we opted for the 50 bucks a month plan for now to try it out. But she did say I know by next year your going on a long trip and I want a way to connect. So that was helpful.
@@mtnmnchronicles ahh nice! My wife was pretty supportive as well especially since I could check in better when really remote. I only get 10 texts a month with my emergency satellite communicator. That goes quick when you have a teenage daughter 😂
yes this is the newest version. I hope to leave later this week. Waiting for my Jeep to get out of the shop and then I hit the open road. I am itching to go!,Other than Wyoming I don’t really have much of a plan. Figure I will just go with where the wind takes me.
Not a dumb question at all. I can’t test it in my Jeep (since it is still in the shop waiting for a part), but I just finished running it for 20 min in my wife’s Nissan Rogue and it worked just fine with the usual 10 min initialize time and 10 min streaming video.
I tested in my Jeep for in motion testing and it worked fine 4-6 hours of driving across Wyoming. Only thing I found that worried me a little bit was that when I was running heat it did get pretty warm. With the AC on it stayed nice and cool.
