Starlink on 12V
After the great response to our Cowfish Starlink newsletter, we knew we had to follow it up with a blog as well! If you’re thinking about adding Starlink internet to your caravan setup, this one’s for you. With more travellers working remotely, streaming from the road, or just wanting to stay in touch off-grid, a reliable internet connection has become a must. But powering your Starlink system efficiently on 12V? That’s where the clever bit comes in.
And when it comes to clever inventions, Cowfish Technologies has got you covered! This family run business was founded in 2021 when travelling Australia with the kids. As a family exploring the bush and beach on a lap around Australia, they quickly realised the need for reliable internet: for the kids’ schooling, entertainment, and to stay connected with work and loved ones. Frustrated by poor reception and slow speeds from existing systems, they developed their own hardware designed specifically for the remoteness and vastness of Australia. After successfully using it on their travels, they decided to make these solutions available to other Aussies who want to stay connected on the road. Aren't we lucky?!
One of their popular inventions is their 12V Starlink system. Introducing the Cosmo 12V Power Supply Systems: the clever way to power your Starlink setup without needing an expensive mains inverter. By operating the Starlink system directly off 12 volt you will have access to reliable and consistent connectivity, even in the most remote locations. Efficient, compact, and designed specifically for Aussie travellers who like to stay connected on the road.
At Carac, we carry two power supply models suitable for connecting your Starlink system to the 12-volt low voltage system in your RV: Cosmo Premium and Cosmo Mini.
The Cosmo Premium
This Premium Kit comes with a weatherproof connection point for the outside of your caravan and all necessary cables. A specialised connector is installed on the end of the gen 3 Starlink cable, providing a full weatherproof connection to the Starlink dish, avoiding the risk of water affecting the electronics or getting inside the caravan.
The external connection point has an integrated cap and is rated IP65. This connection point can be mounted either on the outside wall of the caravan, or in the tunnel boot or media hatch, allowing for easy access to connect the Starlink Dish.
The kit also comes with an internal receptacle and two ethernet cables. The cables are shielded CAT6A cables to carry the electrical supply to the Starlink dish. The 6m ethernet cable connects the internal receptacle to the external receptacle. The 0.8m cable connects the Starlink Integration Kit or Starlink router to the internal receptacle.
Note: With the Cosmo Premium you have the option of using an Anderson Connector (Part No. CPC-A). Purchased separately.
The Cosmo Mini
The Cosmo Mini is a dedicated power supply unit that replaces the standard Starlink 240V power supply. The cable from the Starlink Mini dish plugs directly into the Cosmo Mini, powering the Starlink system through 12 volt. The unit also has its own ON/OFF switch, allowing you to completely turn the Starlink Mini off when not in use, in order to save power.
Note: With the Starlink Mini you have the option of using an Anderson Connector (Part Number CPC-A) or Cigarette Plug Connector (Part Number CPC-C). Purchased separately.
The difference in a nutshull
The Cosmo and Cosmo Mini are two different units, for different versions of Starlink. There are currently 2 Starlink versions that you can get, the Starlink Standard (also referred to as the Gen 3) or the Starlink Mini. These two systems are bit different in how they work and have their own pros and cons.
The Starlink Mini is a small and lightweight dish that has the router built into the unit and it is powered through a dedicated power cable. It comes with a 240V power supply, but Cowfish has developed a 12 volt power solution for the Mini, called the Cosmo Mini.
For the Gen 3 Starlink hardware Cowfish developed the Cosmo unit that will allow you to use all the Starlink hardware (modem and dish) and run it all off 12 volt. Cosmo comes in two packages, a base package which is just the 12volt power supply and the Cosmo Premium Pack. The Premium Pack has the 12 volt power supply, the weatherproof cable kit and the Starlink router bracket. The cable kit allows the customer to connect the cable from the Starlink dish into a socket on the outside of the caravan. from there a cable will run to the cabinet inside where they want to mount the Starlink router. The cable kit comes with all the plugs, sockets and cables to achieve this.
Installation
Installation of the Cowfish Cosmo systems can be done at our Service Safe accredited, fully equipped workshop in Dandenong South. Our experienced team is ready to get you set up with a reliable 12V Starlink solution, so you can hit the road with confidence and stay connected wherever you go.
About Cowfish
Cowfish is an Australian family-owned business designing smart, reliable tech solutions for life off-grid. Whether you're travelling full-time or just heading bush for the weekend, their products are built to make connectivity and power simpler, safer, and more efficient for Aussie caravanners and campers.