Tip

Using a Starlink Mini inside a Rivian to cover a nearby Pebble

4 months ago

For trips out of cellular range, a Starlink Mini on a suction-cup bracket inside the Rivian glass roof works very nicely, with surprisingly good range from the built-in router. Speeds are fine inside the Pebble with the Rivian adjacent. The power cord simply drops down to the 110V outlet on the rear console. With the rear seat folded up in dog mode, it is no bother. It could easily be deployed outside if blocked in dense forest.

starlink connectivity off-grid rivian

24 comments

4mo ago

Planning a similar outside mount, but good to hear there is also this option. How many feet away would you say you can park the Rivian and still get good Wi-Fi signal inside the Pebble with the built-in Starlink router?

4mo ago

Starlink claims:

Indoors: Coverage is typically around 50 to 150 feet (15 to 45 meters), depending on how many walls and obstacles the signal has to penetrate.
Outdoors: With a clear line of sight, the signal can reach between 200 and 350+ feet.

I have good signal throughout my home with the Rivian in my driveway—stucco walls and lots of glass.

4mo ago

I also got the battery for Starlink Mini for added flexibility; fits like a glove!

4mo ago

Since there is no OEM battery available, which battery did you use that “fits like a glove”?

4mo ago

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FNP7W1SP

amazon.comAmazon.com: Ennzia E100 Starlink Mini Battery Pack with Charger, 99Wh 27600mAh Capacity, Air Travel Safe, Up to 5 Hours Runtime, IP65 Water-Resistant, Pass-Through Charging Supported : ElectronicsAmazon.com: Ennzia E100 Starlink Mini Battery Pack with Charger, 99Wh 27600mAh Capacity, Air Travel Safe, Up to 5 Hours Runtime, IP65 Water-Resistant, Pass-Through Charging Supported : Electronics

4mo ago

Really nice fit on the battery option! Thanks for the info.

4mo ago

Our Pebble did turn off the refrigerator and freezer. I found in the manual that, when in sleep mode and the onboard battery is less than 80%, the refrigerator will turn off after 9 (?) hours. Above 80%, the refrigerator stays on whether the Pebble goes into sleep mode.

4mo ago

That's good to know!

staff4mo ago

Slight clarification regarding sleep:

The refrigerator will turn off any time the vehicle is asleep. This is done to prevent the 12V battery from dying when the high-voltage battery is off.
Per the user manual, the vehicle will sleep after 9 hours of inactivity when between 21% and 80% SoC. Above 80%, the vehicle does not auto-sleep. The inactivity timer decreases depending on how far under 21% you are.

4mo ago

This feature needs an override! Losing a fridge of food is not acceptable just because one leaves camp for more than 9 hours and the SoC is below 80%. Make it 40% at least.

4mo ago

Agreed. This should at least be a user-selectable option. Seems like they could solve this with a software update.

4mo ago

Thanks for the clarification! So opening the door or deploying stairs, or any “activity”?

4mo ago

A day or two before a trip, I want to turn on the fridge and start loading food. I wish there was an iPad option to “Keep Fridge On.” Now, I am worried that the fridge might turn off overnight.

4mo ago

If the Pebble is plugged into power, it is my understanding the fridge stays on because the unit will not go to sleep while plugged into power.

4mo ago

Especially while camping without services. Your battery is going to get low. What if you sleep more than 9 hours?

4mo ago

I agree. I wish there were a setting that could tell the Pebble to keep the fridge on while in sleep, or to keep the unit from going to sleep altogether while camping off-grid. If you are prepping for a trip and turn the fridge on a couple of days prior, chances are you are going to charge the Pebble before the trip anyway, so the fridge would stay on while plugged in.

4mo ago

Good idea. The Pebble sits in our oversized driveway. We can plug it in. Maybe we'll just plug it in and leave it while I need the fridge on.

4mo ago

What if you leave camp during the day for more than 9 hours?

TEden MorrisOwner4mo ago

What happened to me was we stored the Pebble off power at a campsite, then came back and the fridge was 50°F.

TEden MorrisOwner4mo ago

That was overnight. This should really be able to be controlled.

4mo ago

Memorial Day Weekend we are camping in a parking lot at a boat ramp for a regatta. No services. We might be gone all day. Does the solar keep the Pebble awake?

4mo ago

I do not think so. Solar doesn't stop the unit from going to sleep, and solar is only charging while the unit is awake, as far as I understand. Please correct me if I am wrong.

4mo ago

We have been waking up the Pebble every day when the sun hits the roof in the morning so the solar would charge, then putting it to sleep in late afternoon. It has taken about two or three weeks, but the Pebble is now at 100% and holding, so we are not waking it up anymore. I am pretty sure it charged all day and didn't go to sleep.

4mo ago

Is it possible to plug the fridge into another outlet that stays on? Or have the power cord available to plug into a Bluetti accessory battery? This whole situation seems pretty crazy, especially since no one seems to be able to figure out the existing default behavior. Refrigeration shouldn’t be unpredictable.

Using a Starlink Mini inside a Rivian to cover a nearby Pebble

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24 comments

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