Starlink Mini USB-C PD Power Supply Issue on 12v

[robbieroams]

I have an issue powering my Starlink Mini which some of you may be able to help with I have a 100w USB-C PD plug and play device to power my Starlink Mini (see photo below). When plugged into my 12v MH system, it doesn't seem to work. It can charge my phone and other lower powered devices so I know the device / connection works. Of course the Starlink mini requires a rating of 100w which is far greater than charging a phone, so I guess either the cable feeding the 12v connection isn't man enough to provide enough power or is it maybe the fuse?

 

[fred_jb]

You would probably be better off just connecting directly to 12V via a cigarette lighter type plug as long as you don't use a long cable. If you connect via USB-C then this is subject to handshaking between the charger and the Mini which must be according to the PD fast charging standard. If your adapter does not provide this correctly, or the cable is not 100W PD compatible, then it will not work. The other issue is cable length. It seems the Mini is very sensitive to voltage drop on long 12V cables. I guess this is why its mains adapter actually puts out, I think, 30V. I power my Mini off a 12V to 48V converter and this is fine over even a very long cable.

 

[Furkat]

I installed the following 65w 12v PD that I connected directly to my leisure batteries and it powers my starlink mini:

https://www.amazon.de/-/en/USB-Socket-Switch-Car-Charger-blue/dp/B07DGNQNLR/ref=sr_1_4?crid=36N81PJHV7O3M&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.U54448Ex9vRs1Y4oXl7kVpNFRpm_oKU9X7meEDjfgItD7lOaMZJdSBYJ1sw6HRVYDcJou0MNW8__AJ1uAH89qGduf-T37nHDIR2e2bFgrr9M12F43-yP8I0el3WOpENdEkJtwd3PkFWUs1oPD2JlL2hMX_IEedb-ALXJEQFMnzN59p4csanQL6FaA1Y6zIIvepJjuVRZnn5PDwXa3lVq02W4UzOVlUwpBXpCVqarEJU.4Hg2GD2Vd63fkp4f_ry700q1QQaiinbOdujXTFIBpQg&dib_tag=se&keywords=64w+pd+12v&qid=1741875022&sprefix=64w+pd+12v%2Caps%2C120&sr=8-4

I bought it to charge my laptop, but it doesn't charge my Lenovo ThinkPad t14, but for starlink is ok. The small display shows 20v when starlink is connected

 

[Guigsy]

USB C PD can only provide up to about 20w if it's limited to 12v. To go to get to higher outputs like 65w, I think the USB C PD standard steps up to 20v output. Most of these small automotive adaptors can only step down, they don't step up, so they can't get above the input voltage. Hence each output is limited to about 20w.

I suspect the reason the Ugreen adaptor isn't performing is that their advertising is stretching the truth quite a bit... It might be it can only manage the outputs it claims when plugged in to a 24v socket.

I'm guessing that the one Furkat linked to does have the ability to step up? I've not seen one like it before though.

I don't think many people realise that the adaptors aren't performing as well as they think they are. Mine will charge a 15" laptop while I'm gaming, even though it's only producing 20w... just it's very slow.

 

[autorouter]

USB C PD can only provide up to about 20w if it's limited to 12v. To go to get to higher outputs like 65w, I think the USB C PD standard steps up to 20v output. Most of these small automotive adaptors can only step down, they don't step up, so they can't get above the input voltage. Hence each output is limited to about 20w.

I suspect the reason the Ugreen adaptor isn't performing is that their advertising is stretching the truth quite a bit... It might be it can only manage the outputs it claims when plugged in to a 24v socket.

I'm guessing that the one @Furkat linked to does have the ability to step up? I've not seen one like it before though.

I don't think many people realise that the adaptors aren't performing as well as they think they are. Mine will charge a 15" laptop while I'm gaming, even though it's only producing 20w... just it's very slow.

I have two of those UGreen adapters and they seem to work very well for me. We charge two different laptops with them. I haven't measured the power output, but it doesn't seem to have a problem.

You have to make sure the USB-C connection wire is good enough to take 100W. At 20V that will be 100/20 = 5A. Most USB C-to-C wires are 2A, and some are 3A (60W max). You have to buy a special 5A (100W max) wire. I don't know for sure, but I would imagine the USB-C connection has a way to discover the max amps of the wire, and limit the output accordingly.

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[Guigsy]

I have two of those UGreen adapters and they seem to work very well for me. We charge two different laptops with them. I haven't measured the power output, but it doesn't seem to have a problem.

You have to make sure the USB-C connection wire is good enough to take 100W. At 20V that will be 100/20 = 5A. Most USB C-to-C wires are 2A, and some are 3A (60W max). You have to buy a special 5A (100W max) wire. I don't know for sure, but I would imagine the USB-C connection has a way to discover the max amps of the wire, and limit the output accordingly.

I'd be interested to know how many watts they are delivering. As I mentioned, even 20w is enough to power a gaming session on a 15" AMD Ryzen 7 laptop using the integrated graphics... although just barely, the charge level remains pretty much static. But if I'm only surfing, the battery slowly recovers. And with the lid closed, it's not that much slower than using the mains adaptor.