12V Frequently Asked Questions
Starlink v2 in ample weather conditions will consume at least 85amps of power in a 24-hour window. We find power users average around 14 hours a day (49amps) usage, while those who use it morning and evening only will use it for around 4 hours a day (14amps) on average.
Starlink v3 in ample weather conditions will consume at least 108amps of power in a 24-hour window. We find power users average around 14 hours a day usage (63amps), while those who use it morning and evening only will use it for around 4 hours a day (18amps) on average.
In our experience, cooler days typically result in a higher power draw from Starlink. In icy or snowy conditions, activating the heat setting may likely double Starlink's power consumption.
The issue primarily lies within the inverter. Whenever power undergoes voltage conversion, there is inevitably a loss of power, typically around 5-10%. Therefore, the more voltage conversions that occur, the greater the power loss. Additionally, inverters have a power overhead, meaning that even when the Starlink is turned off, they still consume around 0.5 to 1 amps an hour in most midrange inverters just to remain operational with no load (so if you do use an inverter, turn it off when not in use!). Starlink operates natively on 48-56V DC, so when considering that your batteries are 12V, the inverter must convert the power to 240V AC, and then the standard Starlink connected onto the inverter further converts it again back to 48-56V DC. Understanding this process helps to grasp the power loss incurred along the way.
