Starlink and peplink (Airstream Connect or Smart Control)

[Ephraim]

For those who have been curious about connecting your Starlink through your existing peplink router, here is how I did it. Note that you do lose the location aspect of the Airstream app. However, you gain much more control and functionality. An no more worrying about Airstream screwing up your Internet connectivity.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYAWhLMnv1U

[kittmaster]

I subscribed to your YT channel....keep up the good work.

The thing that irritates me the most is the license key BS from Pepwave. If you buy the hardware, the entire thing should be unlocked and open....none of this you pay for this feature garbage. Make the price the price with everything available. This makes me never want to buy a Pepwave product ever again.

[Ephraim]

Originally Posted by kittmaster

I subscribed to your YT channel....keep up the good work.

The thing that irritates me the most is the license key BS from Pepwave. If you buy the hardware, the entire thing should be unlocked and open....none of this you pay for this feature garbage. Make the price the price with everything available. This makes me never want to buy a Pepwave product ever again.

I don't mind it if it's a one time thing. It's kind of the way the commercial industry has been for years. You just make sure you calculate the total price as the true purchase price. there are consumer companies that don't do that, but they are typically feature limited.

What chaps my hide is when you have to pay a monthly or yearly fee. Peplink is getting dangerously close to that, yet I haven't found a cellular router that does the same thing as conveniently yet.

[trsvax]

Not to defend them but I suspect Pepwave thinks they are in the enterprise market and that's just the way it works. Perhaps that will change but not anytime soon.

[foobar]

Originally Posted by trsvax

Not to defend them but I suspect Pepwave thinks they are in the enterprise market and that's just the way it works. Perhaps that will change but not anytime soon.

From what I have gathered over the last few months of research when I was planning for the communication package for my upcoming Airstream purchase, Peplink "is" in the enterprise business.

Most of their products are targeted at the commercial (as opposed to recreational) market and that's where they make most of their revenue. The recreational/RV/marine markets are opportunistic for Peplink and while their products often work well for those applications, most of them are not designed specifically for those applications and markets.

[Ephraim]

I would also add that Airstream likes to point the finger at peplink on a regular basis, but I don't believe them. Since I've exited Airstream's control over my router, I've had ZERO problems. peplink is solid (Which you would expect if it's an enterprise product)

[foobar]

Originally Posted by Ephraim

I would also add that Airstream likes to point the finger at peplink on a regular basis, but I don't believe them. Since I've exited Airstream's control over my router, I've had ZERO problems. peplink is solid (Which you would expect if it's an enterprise product)

Yup. Agree with that conclusion.

[switz]

I have several Peplink models. They are part of our Verizon cell phone account.

One is in my place in Indiana. The data plan (after my # of lines and military discount) is $17 per month for 15GB of high speed data and unlimited data at 600kbs. It's function (since there is no telephone (DSL), cable service or satellite now) is to allow me remote management of the American Standard thermostat, garage door opener and ADT alarm system. The prior DSL only from AT&T was over $100 per month for the least service on offer.

I can remote manage the Peplink using the Peplink software. This is a 4G LTE unit and does the job. The purchase price has been fully recovered from the service fee difference over the two years the Peplink has been inn service. It uses less than 3Gb of data per month.

I have put a more recent model dual SIM card Peplink in a hidden location in our Classic using the 12Vdc connection for power. The antenna also has GPS components. I can control the Victron inverter charger battery system and MicroAire thermostat (controls the two new Coleman A/C units that have heating capability and bluetooth connectivity to upgrade the Softstart firmware). The GPS provides the location in realtime which would be helpful if the trailer were to be "borrowed". For 68$ per line (and there are two lines), we have 300GB of high speed data available. But in storage, the $17 per line rate is used.

I also have a dual SIM card unit in the 23D that will be upgraded to a 5G Peplink unit soon. The 23D will soon get a Victron inverter/charger along with their interfaces that will connect to the Peplink like in the Classic. A new Coleman A/C will also go in then with heater and MicroAire Bluetooth Softstart and MicroAire thermostat. There will also be GPS capability like in the Classic. So the same data plans will be operational. The new 5G modems can allow for a Starlink connection in the future.

Due to exceptionally poor quality, both Dometic refrigerators have been removed along with both of the stock 6 gallon water heaters. We have Truma instant on, freeze proof propane only, water heaters and Vitrifrigo freon based 12Vdc compressor refrigerator/freezers. The stock Dometic stoves have been replaced by the CU-434 models that are European based for building.

I used the "5G Store" as the vendor for all of Peplink modems and the antennas. They have a very competent support staff for even the non-techies.

There could be some merit to having a Peplink modem in the home with a small solar powered battery to maintain communications during a power outage. Depending on where one lives, power outages are becoming the new reality.

[Troutboy]

I just ordered a new modem/router and will also connect Starlink to it. Thanks for all the posts on how to do that. I notice it has a GPS on it.

Can anyone tell me what use the GPS has? Should I connect it? What can you do with it?

Thx

[switz]

You can track the unit if “borrowed”. I have remote access to thermostat and Victron and can control both remotely

[Ephraim]

Originally Posted by Troutboy

I just ordered a new modem/router and will also connect Starlink to it. Thanks for all the posts on how to do that. I notice it has a GPS on it.

Can anyone tell me what use the GPS has? Should I connect it? What can you do with it?

Thx

If you sign it up for their InControl2, you get very good tracking - for trip records or theft.

[Spleenami]

Sorry for necroing this thread.
I just bought a Classic and am a Starlink subscriber.
Ephraim I found this post and your video very helpful.
Question; my wife really enjoys the Airstream Smart RV Control. It seems that removing Airstream from the peplink would disable the connection and automation allowed through the app, but I wasn't sure. Any insight on this? Or do you still have the ability to use the app?
Thank you

[kittmaster]

Originally Posted by Spleenami

Sorry for necroing this thread.
I just bought a Classic and am a Starlink subscriber.
Ephraim I found this post and your video very helpful.
Question; my wife really enjoys the Airstream Smart RV Control. It seems that removing Airstream from the peplink would disable the connection and automation allowed through the app, but I wasn't sure. Any insight on this? Or do you still have the ability to use the app?
Thank you

The Peplink is connected via the Ethernet wire and serves as the gateway for the App. If you remove the Peplink, you will no longer be able to use the app.