Grande 15 Installation

NOTE: This setup is REQUIRED for installing Starlink on Burro Grande 15.

Safety notice:

ALWAYS disconnect ALL of the robot's batteries before performing any work on the system.

An inline fuse is required on the positive (red) wire. Failure to install a fuse may result in damage to the Starlink system. We are not responsible for damage caused by omitting this protection. Modifying connectors other than those specified may affect compatibility with the robot's auxiliary power connection.

Overview

You may either:

• Purchase a pre-made compatible cable (10 AWG) with an inline fuse, OR

• Modify the Starlink power cable yourself (instructions below), remembering to also splice in an inline fuse cable.

These steps apply to both approaches once the red and black power leads are accessible. A DC-DC converter WILL be required.

Required components and tools

• DC-DC (48V - 24V) Converter

  • 5A, 120W option highly recommended

• Orange Anderson Housing

  • Size: SB50

  • 2 additional Anderson housings can be used to connect the DC-DC 24V OUTPUT side and Starlink Mini if you want to keep connections the same. Label each connector (or get a different colored set) so it's obvious which is the input side and output side.

• Contacts for Anderson Housing

• Inline Fuse Holder (if a pre-made 10 AWG cable with an inline fuse is not being used)

  • 3A fuse highly recommended

• Crimping Tool

• Crimping Tool Die Sets (optional)

• Wire cutting/stripping tools

Installation

Step 1: Prepare the cables

• Locate the cable that powers the Starlink device from either a vehicle power connection OR AC power adapter connection.

• Cut or expose enough of the cable jacket to access the red (positive) and black (negative) wires.

• Strip the insulation to expose clean copper on both wires and for all the cables on the DC-DC converter as needed.

Step 2: Attach Anderson contacts

• Crimp an Anderson contact onto the negative -48V INPUT cable for the DC-DC.

• Crimp an Anderson contact onto the positive +48V OUTPUT cable for the DC-DC.

• Use the recommended crimping tool to ensure a secure connection. Check the crimp by pulling the Anderson contacts and ensure they don't slip off.

• If you want to use an additional Anderson connection between the 24V OUTPUT of the DC-DC and the Starlink Mini, repeat this step for both of the output cables and the leads on the cable you will be using to connect to the Starlink.

Step 3: Install the inline fuse

• Insert an inline fuse on the positive (+) wire/cable of the Starlink power cable (if you are not using a pre-made compatible cable).

• The fuse may be placed wherever convenient along the positive wire/cable.

• Ensure wire connections are secure on both sides of the fuse.

• Install the 3A fuse into the fuse holder (if it doesn't have it already).

Step 4: Insert contacts into the Anderson housing

• Insert the contacts into the orange Anderson connector (SB50) housing.

• Make sure to match the correct polarity:

  • Negative (BLACK) wire to Negative (-) slot

  • Positive (RED) wire to Positive (+) slot

  • NOTE: The DC-DC output cable will be a different color (either grey or yellow).

• Push each terminal fully into the housing until it locks in place.

• Label which Anderson connector is the 48V INPUT for the DC-DC and which is the 24V OUTPUT (if not using separate colors).

Step 5: Connect to Burro auxiliary power

• The Burro Grande's auxiliary output is 48V unregulated (can reach up to 58V).

  • This connector is located on the front side of Burro Grande. You will need to remove the top tray to access the connector for the first time.

• Before connecting the DC-DC to the Burro:

  • Verify positive aligns with positive +48V INPUT

  • Verify negative aligns with negative -48V INPUT

• Before connecting the Starlink to the DC-DC:

  • Verify positives align with the positive +24V OUTPUT cable on the DC-DC

  • Verify negatives align with the negative -24V OUTPUT cable on the DC-DC

• Only connect once polarity has been confirmed.

Step 6: Mount the Starlink

• Follow the official Starlink mounting instructions from the Starlink user manual.

• Ensure the mounting location does not block the robot's GPS antenna or LiDAR sensor.

  • Blocking the antenna on the robot will significantly reduce GPS satellite visibility and thus navigational accuracy.

Step 7: Network connection

• Connect the Starlink ethernet output to the modem/router by routing the cable through one of the grommets on Burro's brain box. Please ensure that the connections are properly sealed after installing. Replacing grommets may be required.

  • You can connect it directly to the WAN port of the modem/router, OR you can plug it directly into Burro's motherboard, in which case you'll want to remove the ethernet cable that connects the board and the modem/router.

• Alternatively, you may opt to remove the side USB connection next to the red power switch. You can replace this with an ethernet connection for easier accessibility, but ensure that this connection is sufficiently water-resistant (IP65 or higher).

• Verify your network connectivity after powering your Burro on, either by checking the 'Status' menu in the 'Developer' section of the robot's settings or by checking Formant.

• If connectivity is intermittent, try enabling Bypass Mode on your Starlink device.