How To Set up Starlink Flat Excessive-Efficiency Package

We lately reviewed the Starlink Flat Excessive-Efficiency Package to be taught if it’s the very best cell Wi-Fi answer for RVers. When you’re contemplating including that Starlink Package to your RV, you must know easy methods to set up Starlink. Fortunately, the problem stage for the set up is intermediate. 

I take into account myself mildly helpful, however I’ve been round RVs for almost twenty years, and my largest concern about tackling this set up was drilling into the roof. Fortunately, the equipment got here with very clear set up directions. Learn by way of them earlier than beginning the set up, and for those who don’t really feel snug putting in Starlink by yourself, contact our efficiency and set up division.

Necessary Tip: Earlier than you start, I like to recommend taking an image of the product data label on the again of the antenna. You’ll want data from this label to activate the antenna and arrange your service plan. Don’t repeat my mistake and should take away the antenna from the wedge mount to get that data!

The precise instruments you’ll require on your set up might differ relying in your RV’s roof materials. For instance, the spade bit talked about under is admittedly finest for wood-decked roofs. Even then, it may snag and rip your rubber roof membrane. 

Technician Tip: If utilizing a spade bit, guarantee it’s sharp and take away the membrane from the bore website with a pointy knife earlier than drilling. A carbide-tipped gap noticed is a greater common choice as a result of it could make a clear reduce by way of virtually any materials.

Listed below are the advisable instruments to amass earlier than putting in this Starlink equipment on an RV with a wooden or plywood roof: 

• Drill
• Pencil
• Socket wrench
• ¾” Spade bit (you might want a 12” extension relying in your RV roof thickness)
• Hex keys (3/32”, 3/16”, and ⅛”)
• Drill bits (3/32”, ¼”, and ½”)
• 7/16” wrench
• 7/16” socket
• Philips screwdriver
• Field cutter
• Caulking gun
• Self-leveling lap sealant

These are the extra provides I acquired to route the cable and tidy up the inside: 

• Cordmate Twine Protector
• Monster Plastic House Theater Wall Plate

How To Set up Starlink Antenna

With these instruments in hand, listed below are the essential steps for easy methods to set up the Starlink Flat Excessive-Efficiency Package:

Step 1: Plan Your Set up

Starlink’s directions really present three set up strategies: 

1. Utilizing machine screws and nuts for surfaces with bottom entry
2. Utilizing lag bolts for wooden or plywood
3. Utilizing blind gap nuts and machine screws for composite surfaces

With a stick-and-tin trailer, I selected choice #2. However planning didn’t cease there. You’ll want to decide on a structurally sound, horizontal floor away from different roof-mounted RV tools that would hinder the antenna’s discipline of view. You’ll additionally have to plan your mounting location in order that the low finish of your antenna factors towards the entrance of your trailer or motorhome. (Suppose aerodynamics!) 

When you’re uncertain of your RV roof materials, I like to recommend consulting the producer. 

That stated, I’ll element easy methods to set up Starlink utilizing choice #2 and level out further suggestions you gained’t discover within the Starlink setup handbook. The handbook does have clear directions for the opposite two strategies, however I can’t converse to their unwritten intricacies at the moment. 

Step 2: Safe the Wedge Mount

With the next instruments and tools, safely ascend to your RV roof (I used my new telescoping ladder – 10/10 extremely advocate in case your RV doesn’t have a hard and fast ladder): 

• Wedge mount
• Antenna cable
• Pencil
• Drill and drill bits (3/32” and ¼”)
• 7/16” socket
• Socket wrench
• Lag bolts
• Rubber sealing washers
• Silicone sealant

With these provides on the roof, use the wedge mount as a information to mark your mounting location. Mark all 4 nook gap areas after which set the mount apart. Then observe these steps:

1. Use the three/32” bit to drill 4 holes at your marked areas. Take away any burrs or roof materials particles across the holes.
2. Place a rubber sealing washer round every gap and set the wedge mount on prime of the washers, aligning the mounting holes.
3. Apply a liberal quantity of silicone sealant into every mounting gap.
4. One after the other, apply silicone sealant to the threads of every lag bolt and insert them into the mounting holes with a washer. Use your drill with the 7/16” socket to drive the bolts 90% in. 
5. With all 4 lag bolts threaded to 90%, switch the 7/16” socket to the socket wrench and tighten to cosy, plus an extra quarter-turn. Don’t overtighten the lag bolts!

Step 3: Route Your Cable

Right here’s the place we’ll drill by way of the RV’s roof to route the cable inside. Starlink says you should use any methodology to route your cable to the inside. However with the included Cable Move-Via Package and weatherproofing elements, I made a decision that routing the cable straight down by way of the roof was my best – and certain most secure – path. 

I bumped into hassle as a result of my ¾” spade bit was solely six inches lengthy—not lengthy sufficient to penetrate and supply a transparent path to route the cable to my RV’s inside. So, I paused my set up and ran again to the ironmongery shop for a 12” extension, which in the end bought the job executed.

In hindsight, you might also wish to set a towel or blanket inside your RV under the situation the place you’ll drill by way of the roof. This may assist shield your furnishings or flooring and seize any particles that falls by way of if you drill. 

With these notes in thoughts, listed below are the steps for routing the cable from the antenna inside: 

1. Use your drill with the ¾” spade bit (and probably an extension) to drill a clearance gap into your RV. Take away any roof particles, wooden burrs, or insulation supplies to make sure the floor across the gap is obvious. 
2. Utilizing soapy water and your drill with the ¼” bit, moist the drill tube and slowly drill a gap by way of the center of the rubber plug that got here with the pass-through equipment.
3. Use your field cutter to chop the rubber plug from the cable gap to the outer wall. This may can help you open the plug and insert the cable.
4. Feed your cable from exterior by way of the clearance gap. The cable that comes with the equipment is 8 meters (~26 ft) lengthy, so that you’ll have flexibility for router/energy mounting areas inside. However you’ll wish to thread many of the cable by way of at this level (leaving 1.5 ft exterior). This step will possible require descending your ladder and going inside your RV to make sure the cable is feeding by way of as meant (until you have got an set up helper).
5. Use the caulking gun to run a skinny layer of lap sealant across the mounting gap earlier than putting the rubber gasket on prime of the sealant. Mix the 2 halves of the plastic base and mount that base onto the rubber gasket. Make sure the gasket holes are aligned.
6. Use the 4 wooden screws to screw the bottom down earlier than wrapping the rubber plug across the cable and urgent the plug into the bottom. Apply lap sealant to the sting of the bottom and the tops of the screws.
7. Press the 2 halves of the outer shell collectively and place the shell onto the bottom. Make sure the holes within the internal and outer shells align.
8. One after the other, apply silicone sealant to every of the 4 machine screws and hand tighten them together with your screwdriver till cosy. 

Step 4: Set up the Antenna

When you haven’t already, take an image of the product data label on the again of the antenna earlier than putting in it. 

With that necessary step (unmentioned within the handbook) full, it’s time to safe the antenna to the wedge mount. To take action, you’ll want the next tools with you in your RV’s roof: 

• Antenna
• Hex keys (⅛” and three/16”)
• Thread locker
• Shoulder bolts
• ½” machine screws

With these things on the prepared, listed below are your subsequent set up steps: 

1. Discover a clear, debris-free floor to put the antenna face down.
2. Apply thread locker to the threads of the 2 shoulder bolts and set up them into the threaded holes closest to the cable port (the low finish). Use the ⅛” hex key to tighten at hand tight.
3. Decide the antenna up, flip it over, and align the shoulder bolts into the keyways on the low finish of the wedge mount. Slide the antenna ahead to lock it into place.
4. Apply thread locker to the threads of the 2 remaining ½” machine screws and insert them into the threaded holes furthest from the cable port (excessive finish) with washers. 
5. Tighten the machine screws with the three/16” hex key till cosy, plus a quarter-turn. Don’t overtighten these screws! Starlink notes that utilizing something aside from the meant ½” machine screws can harm the antenna.
6. Plug the cable into the port on the base (low finish) of the antenna. Ideally, the antenna mustn’t make sharp turns to keep away from pointless stress that would trigger harm. Starlink recommends utilizing a minimal bend radius of two inches. 

How To Mount the Router and Energy Supply

Congratulations! The outside a part of your set up is finished. Sadly, that is additionally the place I discovered the Starlink set up information ends. Nevertheless, you have to nonetheless mount the router and energy supply and route the cables inside your RV so that they aren’t hanging in the best way. 

The mounts that include the equipment for the router and energy supply are straightforward to put in utilizing screws and plastic anchors. However you too can establish the studs in your RV’s sidewalls for probably the most safe mount potential. 

Moreover, Starlink recommends putting the router in a central location exterior any RV cabinetry for the very best efficiency. With a small camper like mine, a central location wasn’t a problem, however the one accessible wall house was on a shared wall with my TV mount. 

Just like the wedge mount, I like to recommend marking the 2 drill areas for every mount earlier than drilling and putting in utilizing the included screws and anchors. Then, plug the cables into the router and energy supply earlier than setting them of their mounts. 

Full your inside set up nevertheless you want, however know that you just’ll possible want further provides to tuck the cables out of the best way and end the set up in an aesthetically pleasing method. 

Technician Tip: This antenna can pull 10-15 amps from the battery financial institution. That is no massive deal if driving or linked to shore energy, however you’ll need to concentrate on this for energy administration causes when boondocking.

How To Set Up Starlink Web Service

When you haven’t already downloaded the Starlink app, you are able to do so now. Your RV should be linked to shore energy or a generator to energy the router, which is important on your Starlink antenna to indicate up when you’ve downloaded the app and created an account. 

Comply with the app’s directions to arrange your most well-liked Starlink service plan. Customise your Wi-Fi identify, community password, and different settings. For what it’s value, the community first displayed the identify ‘STINKY’ as soon as I arrange my machine and repair, however I rapidly renamed it to ‘BestWIFIEver’ to encourage a bit extra confidence in my new Starlink Flat Excessive-Efficiency antenna.

How To Pause Starlink RV Service

To pause Starlink service, open the app, navigate to your profile, after which to Handle Subscription. On this display screen, you possibly can swipe to Pause Service till your subsequent RV journey. While you’re able to resume Starlink RV service, return to this display screen and use the slider to begin a brand new month-to-month billing cycle.

Hopefully, you’re having fun with your new Starlink web service on your RV. Contact Starlink instantly for troubleshooting suggestions and extra details about service plans. 

What questions do you have got about easy methods to set up the Starlink flat high-performance equipment? Please tell us within the feedback under.