This is a very different video for Grande Overland. I just picked up a Starlink set-up to allow for wireless internet access pretty much anywhere with direct line of sight to the sky. It quickly dawned on me that I would likely need a large power source. I have a Jackery 500 and 240 to run my ICECO portable fridge and electronics but knew that would not be enough juice to feed the Startlink, let alone the laptop. So, I decided to simulate an 8 hour work day using the 500 watt solar generator (24Ah) and ONLY plugging in the Starlink with no solar panel input, while the laptop would be kept alive by the 240. Although I only did a 4 hour test, it gave me enough information to let me know what size lithium ion power source I would need for my next overlanding trip. There was a laptop hooked up to the Wi-Fi streaming YouTube videos, along with two smart phones, this should emulate a normal situation. Ok, so after the first hour the Jackery was down 9%, after 2 hours 18% and after 3 hours 27% … so you see the trend here. At the completion of the 4 hour test we lost a total of about 36%, which means the Starlink is consuming an average of 9% per hour. To air on the side of caution let's round that up to 10% per hour, that way you have a little wiggle room. When stretched out over a typical 8.5 hour work day, that would be approximately 85% of the Jackery. So yes, a 500 Watt Jackery would power your Starlink for one day but leave you with about 15-25% juice left in the tank. Keep in mind I did not have solar plugged in, but you never know what the conditions will be like, so this test was to simulate the worst-case scenario. To compound the situation the laptop was not plugged into the same Jackery, so at that point, unless you had a high-end solar panel with sunny skies, there is no way a 500 Watt unit would cover your needs for a typical work day. This becomes more apparent when you're talking about a full work week, and keeping your fingers crossed that you will catch sunny skies the entire time to heat up your solar. I feel like the results would be comparable with a Yeti Goal Zero, Bluetti, Anker or any other portable power stations. At the end of this test I would say in my nonprofessional opinion that at least a 1000 watt unit would be needed to keep your Starlink and accompanying devices alive while working remote full time. If you decide to pick up a Starlink for your camping and overlanding adventures, I hope this video helps you decide what power generator you will need and also give you an idea of the final costs. The Starlink after tax and shipping to my house was about $700, then you need to add in a power source with solar panel and probably some sort of travel case (which will be in an upcoming video), so this nifty bit of kit will cost well over a thousand bucks when said and done.
Catch up by using the links below to check out the first half of this adventure and other recent videos. And Remember, What’s Your GOL?
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