Starlink's high internet speeds are becoming very popular, but many people have reservations about how many watts Starlink uses. As you are already paying for the Starlink subscription, the overhead power cost must be minimized. The standard Starlink router, including the antenna and power cables, consumes between 50W and 75W when connected to low Earth orbit (LEO satellites) and about 20W when connected to the internet without network usage.
Starlink is an internet service that provides high-speed internet in both populated and remote areas. It consists of about 12,000 satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO). The Starlink network is available in 54 countries, and over one million customers have already subscribed to the services.
Key Takeaways About Powering A Starlink
- The Gen 1 Standard Circular Starlink dish averages between 65 and 50 watts.
- The Gen 2 Standard Actuated Starlink dish consumes between 50 and 75 watts.
- The Gen 3 Standard Starlink dish consumes the least power, on average, between 75 and 100 watts. This includes all the equipment, such as the antenna, router, power supply, and cables.
- The service fee is about $99 monthly, and a $500 equipment fee.
- The power consumption costs approx $7.50 per month at 26 c/kWh.
- The cost of power consumption of a Starlink is over $100 per year.
How Many Watts Does A Starlink Use?
How many watts does a Starlink use? This includes the power consumption by all the equipment, including the antenna and router.
Definition Of Amps, Volts, Watts, Running Watts, Rated Watts, Watt-Hours.
It is essential to know the basic terminologies to learn how many watts Starlink uses in different scenarios.
Ampere (A):
Ampere shows how much electricity flows through the electronic devices in one second. When the number of amps increases, the current(amp) flowing through the device per second increases.
Volt or Voltage (V):
Volts show the amount of energy given to an electric circuit. They are the unit of voltage, and a device's rating usually remains constant.
Watts (W):
Watts shows how much energy an electronic device consumes and indicates how powerful the device is. Power is calculated by multiplying voltage by the number of amps;
W = V x A
Watt-hour (Wh):
Watt-hours (Wh) shows the battery's capacity. It is calculated by multiplying the number of Amps by the voltage.
How Many Watts Does A Starlink Use?
Now that we know the basic terminology, we can discuss exactly how many watts a Starlink uses. Several factors affect the Starlink's power consumption.
Network Activity
The number of devices connected to the router and the amount of data they request directly affect Starlink's power consumption. The more data required, the more power the dish and router will consume. This means video streaming, downloading large files, playing video games, and using video calls, which means more power consumption.
Weather
A clear sky without clouds or weather obstructions like heavy precipitation is far better for Starlink's performance and, eventually, power consumption.
Physical Obstructions
Physical obstructions, such as trees or hills, also affect Starlink's power consumption. The dish might have to re-establish connections with satellites, and, therefore, the power consumption may increase.
How Many Watts Does a Starlink Use On Average?
The Standard Starlink square dish and hardware consume about 45-75 watts when the hardware is actively in use, though it may draw more power during booting and configuring. When there is no activity, the power consumption may drop to 20-30 watts.
How Many Watts Does A Starlink Use At High Performance?
When actively used, the High-Performance Starlink dish and hardware consume about 110-150 watts. Again, it may draw more during booting and configuration. The power consumption can be as low as 45 watts in an idle state.
|
Starlink |
Rated Watts |
Length of Time Powered (hours) |
Estimated power needed daily (Watt-hours) |
|
Standard (Active) |
50 - 75W |
8 |
400 - 600Wh |
|
Standard(Idle) |
20W |
8 |
160Wh |
|
Mini (Average) |
20 - 40W |
8 |
160 - 320Wh |
|
Mini (Idle) |
15W |
8 |
120Wh |
|
High Performance (Active) |
110 - 150W |
8 |
880 - 1200Wh |
|
High Performance (Idle) |
45W |
8 |
360Wh |
Source: Starlink
How to Use Jackery with Starlink
Jackery Solar Generators combine Jackery Portable Power Stations and Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels, which work together to absorb sunlight and generate electricity suitable for appliances like Starlink. Simply unfold and place the Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels under direct sunlight to absorb the sun's energy and generate DC electricity.
The pure sine wave inverter can then be connected to the Jackery Portable Power Station to convert DC to AC to charge the appliances. You can connect the Jackery Portable Power Station with the Starlink to start the charging process.
Using Jackery Solar Generators and Starlink Mini, you can enjoy all-day high-speed Internet anywhere. These small solar generators are easy to carry and charge outdoor appliances for long hours for a comfortable trip.
Elon Musk tweeted on X that basic camping solar panels and a small battery can power a Starlink all day.
Basic camping solar panels plus a little battery will power Starlink all day https://t.co/hDK91prZwj
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 11, 2024
How Long Can Jackery Run A Starlink
The standard Starlink dish consumes about 1 kWh of power per day. If you use a larger, in-motion dish, the consumption can be doubled.
The subscription fee for Starlink Roam service is $65 - $125 per month, whereas it is around $323 - $1268 for Starlink Boat service.
We have discussed above and found that Starlink power consumption is not a small expense. Switching to an alternative power source can help you save a considerable amount of money on grid power. Solar power generators are suitable alternative power sources for running a Starlink as they are portable, compact, waterproof, and have a library-level noise rating. These features make them perfect for both outdoors and indoors.
The Jackery solar power generators are available in a wide range depending on size and capacity. Considering how many watts Starlink uses, the Jackery solar generators 300 plus and 500 are the recommended generators for this purpose.
The running time calculated in the tables below is just for your reference; the accurate time will depend on the environmental conditions and the product.
Jackery Solar Generator 300 Plus
The Jackery solar generator 300 plus is a portable compact generator, yet it has a capacity of 293 Wh, which is enough to run your Starlink connection. You can easily carry it along for outdoor adventures, in your RV, and for camping trips. Apart from your Starlink, you can use it for Xbox, camera, Bluetooth speaker, etc. Since it can be charged through solar panels, wall outlets, and carports, there are multiple ways to use it.
How long can the Jackery solar generator 300 plus run your equipment? Here is a list of running hours of standard devices on a fully charged 300-plus generator.
-
Standard (Active) 50 - 75W = 3.2 - 4.8H
- Standard (Idle) 20W = 12.2H
- Mini (Average) 20 - 40W = 6.1 - 12.2H
- Mini (Idle) 15W = 16.3H
- High Performance (Active) 110 - 150W = 1.6 - 2.2H
- High Performance (Idle) 45W = 5.4H
Jackery Solar Generator 500
Jackery Solar Generator 500 is a more significant generator than the 300 Plus. This generator allows you to run all your camping equipment for longer hours. It has a capacity of 518 Wh, enough to run even multiple small-sized devices simultaneously using various output ports on the generator. It is safe to use indoors with no gas emissions and a reliable battery management system. Its temperature resistance at high and low temperatures and waterproof rating allows it to be used outdoors without any issues.
The following list summarizes the running time of appliances on fully charged 500.
-
Standard (Active) 50 - 75W = 5.8 - 8.8H
- Standard (Idle) 20W = 22.0H
- Mini (Average) 20 - 40W = 11.0 - 22.0H
- Mini (Idle) 15W = 29.3H
- High Performance (Active) 110 - 150W = 2.9 - 4.0H
- High Performance (Idle) 45W = 9.7H
Jackery Solar Generator 1000 v2
The Jackery Solar Generator 1000 v2 is the next-gen charging solution that can safely charge Starlink for long hours. It's faster and stronger than other versions, making it the ultimate companion for power needs. It features multiple output ports to charge other outdoor appliances like phones, lights, etc., during camping or overlanding.
Here is the list of Starlink models and their running time when they are charged by the Jackery Solar Generator 1000 v2:
- Standard (Active) 50 - 75W = 12.1 - 18.1H
- Standard (Idle) 20W = 45.4H
- Mini (Average) 20 - 40W = 22.7 - 45.4H
- Mini (Idle) 15W = 60.6H
- High Performance (Active) 110 - 150W = 6.0 - 8.2H
- High Performance (Idle) 45W = 20.2H
Conclusion
How many watts does Starlink use? A standard Starlink router uses an average of 50 and 75W when connected to LEO satellites. The power consumption drops to around 20W when connected to the internet without network activity. It is important to note that Starlink's standard and RV dishes use the same electricity in active and dormant modes. On the other hand, the high-performance Starlink dish consumes 110-150W when active.
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