Here’s the Victron lithium Starlink runtime math for the most common van battery: the Victron Lithium Battery 12.8V 200Ah Smart. It stores 2,560Wh at 25°C, according to Victron’s datasheet. How long that lasts depends mostly on which Starlink you have and whether it runs on DC or through an inverter.
The Inputs
| Item | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Battery energy | 2,560Wh (200Ah × 12.8V) | Victron Lithium Smart datasheet |
| Usable at 80% DoD | 2,048Wh | 2,500-cycle rating at 80% DoD |
| Starlink Mini | 25–40W average, 12–48V DC input | Starlink Mini spec sheet |
| Starlink Standard | 75–100W average, 100–240V AC router | Starlink Standard spec sheet |
| Phoenix VE.Direct 12/500 | 7W zero-load draw | Victron Phoenix VE.Direct 120V datasheet |
Victron Lithium Starlink Runtime: Starlink Mini on DC
Run straight from the 12V bank with a fused feed, there’s no inverter loss.
- At 40W: 2,048 ÷ 40 ≈ 51 hours
- At 25W: 2,048 ÷ 25 ≈ 82 hours
Using the full 2,560Wh stretches that to 64–102 hours, but cycling to 100% DoD shortens battery life.
Starlink Standard Through an Inverter
The Standard kit’s router needs AC, so most people use a small Phoenix inverter. Assuming about 90% inverter efficiency:
- At 100W: 100 ÷ 0.9 ≈ 111W from the battery. 2,048 ÷ 111 ≈ 18 hours
- At 75W: 75 ÷ 0.9 ≈ 83W. 2,048 ÷ 83 ≈ 25 hours
The inverter’s own idle draw is part of that loss. That’s why a right-sized 12/500 beats a 3kVA MultiPlus for a Starlink-only load: the MultiPlus-II 12/3000 draws 13W at zero load by itself, per its datasheet.
All figures are estimates. Real Starlink draw rises with snow melt, heat and heavy use. Measure yours with a SmartShunt.
Things That Change the Answer
- Cold. At 0°C the 200Ah battery delivers 160Ah, about 2,048Wh in total, so usable energy at 80% falls to roughly 1,640Wh.
- Other loads. A fridge on the same bank can use as much as Starlink does.
- Solar. A SmartSolar 100/30 with 400W of panels can often replace a day’s Starlink use in good sun.
- BMS. The Victron Smart battery needs a Victron BMS to cut loads before cell damage.
Want the source figures? The Lithium Battery Smart page on Victron’s site has the datasheet.
Worked Example: A Weekend of Remote Work in a Van
Starlink Mini on DC for 10 hours a day, a 12V compressor fridge running all day, and a laptop charged over USB-C:
| Load | Watts (est.) | Hours/day | Wh/day (est.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starlink Mini (DC) | 30W | 10 | 300 |
| 12V fridge (average) | 40W | 24 | 960 |
| Laptop on USB-C | 50W | 6 | 300 |
| LED lights and fan | 25W | 5 | 125 |
| Total | ≈ 1,685Wh |
Estimates based on typical device draw. That’s most of the 2,048Wh usable at 80% depth of discharge, so one 200Ah battery covers about a day of this routine with no charging. With 400W of solar on a SmartSolar 100/30 and a sunny day, a good share of it comes back by evening. A Victron Orion XS DC-DC charger tops up the rest while you drive.
Worked Example: Starlink Standard Overnight at a Campsite
Starlink Standard through a Phoenix 12/500, used 6 hours in the evening:
- About 90W average ÷ 0.9 inverter efficiency ≈ 100W from the battery.
- 6 hours × 100W ≈ 600Wh, or roughly 30% of the usable 2,048Wh.
- Turning the inverter off overnight also saves its idle draw.
Estimates. If you only need Starlink in the evening, a 200Ah battery handles several nights of this between charges.
Running Starlink Mini From 12V: Wiring Notes
The Starlink Mini accepts a 12–48V DC input, so many van builders run it straight from the 12V bus. A typical setup:
- A fused circuit from the DC distribution, sized for the cable and the Mini’s current.
- A 12V-to-USB-C PD adapter or a dedicated DC cable rated for the Mini’s power draw.
- A switch on the circuit, so you can turn Starlink off overnight without unplugging.
At 12.8V, a 40W draw is only about 3A (estimate), so the wiring is light compared with an inverter feed.
Adding Up a Day With a SmartShunt
A SmartShunt on the battery negative shows the battery’s current, consumed amp-hours and state of charge in VictronConnect. Start the day at 100%, run your normal routine, and read the consumed Ah that evening. Multiplying by 12.8V gives your real daily watt-hours, which is a much better basis for planning than spec-sheet averages.
Solar Sizing for Starlink
To make Starlink self-sustaining, size the panels to your daily use. A common rule of thumb is 4 to 5 peak sun hours a day in summer at mid latitudes (estimate; varies by location and season):
| Daily Starlink use | Solar to replace it (est.) |
|---|---|
| Mini, 300Wh | ≈ 100W |
| Mini, 24/7 ≈ 720Wh | ≈ 200W |
| Standard via inverter, 24/7 ≈ 2,400Wh | ≈ 600W+ |
Estimates assuming about 70% of panel rating reaches the battery after real-world losses.
Choosing Between Starlink Mini and Standard for a Battery System
For a battery-powered build, the Mini’s lower draw and DC input make the biggest difference to runtime. Using the figures above, the Mini on DC runs roughly three times longer on the same 200Ah battery than the Standard through an inverter. The Standard’s larger dish can suit fixed sites and heavy use, and in that case a larger battery bank or more solar balances the extra energy. For vans, boats and weekend camping, the Mini’s numbers fit comfortably on a single Victron 12.8V 200Ah Smart battery.
Cold-Weather Planning
Victron’s datasheet shows the 200Ah battery delivering less capacity as temperature falls, and the battery shouldn’t be charged below its minimum charge temperature. In winter, keep the battery inside the heated living space where possible, and plan on the lower usable figure from the cold-weather note above when you size for Starlink.
FAQ
Should I leave Starlink on 24/7?
Only if you need it. Turning it off overnight can save a quarter of the daily energy.
Can I use ECO mode on the inverter?
It’s risky for Starlink. A brief drop below the ECO threshold can switch the inverter off and drop your connection.
Is 100Ah enough for Starlink Mini?
At 40W, a 12.8/100 gives about 1,024 ÷ 40 ≈ 26 hours at 80% DoD, which is enough for most days with some solar.
Does the Victron Lithium Smart battery work with a third-party BMS?
Victron’s Smart batteries are designed to work with a Victron BMS, such as the smallBMS, Lynx Smart BMS or VE.Bus BMS, which controls loads and chargers.
Can I charge the battery while Starlink is running?
Yes. Solar, DC-DC and shore chargers all charge the battery while Starlink draws from it; the SmartShunt shows the net current.
Sources: Victron Lithium Battery Smart datasheet; Victron Phoenix Inverter VE.Direct 120V datasheet; MultiPlus-II 120V datasheet; Starlink Mini and Standard specifications (accessed Oct 2026).
Related: Zitrone Starlink Mini Battery Power Adapter Review, XTAR MP158 Power Bank Starlink Mini Review, EcoFlow Delta 3 Max Van Life Leisure Battery, plus the Victron Energy Guide