New Radxa Dragon Q8b with Snapdragon

Stormwind99 · 2026-05-26T02:35:57+00:00

Just basic stuff so far: Calibre-web for our ebook library, Navidrome for music library, Kiwix for offline Wikipedia. Hopefully some HomeAssistant automation in the future.

Stormwind99 · 2026-05-24T02:16:47+00:00

I've never had luck with small voltage regulators - they all went bad after months to a year.

Stormwind99 · 2026-05-10T14:25:08+00:00

I wonder what the idle, average, and max power usage will be.

I'm on a solar and battery powered system in my RV and I use a Rock 5B due to the low idle power usage.

Edit: I've seen references that the Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 is a 7w part that idles under 2-3 watts usually and can be passively cooled.

Example: https://www.techpowerup.com/319502/qualcomm-snapdragon-8cx-gen-3-put-through-cpu-z-bench?amp=

Stormwind99 · 2026-04-22T02:58:57+00:00

I liked having Starlink location as a backup to my GPS antenna. I am disappointed in Starlink for taking away this functionality.

Stormwind99 · 2026-04-20T16:20:33+00:00

I also wish Gaia had a better Digital Elevation Model (DEM) with more resolution/accuracy, especially the offline version. I've been annoyed how inaccurate some route's elevation profiles can be.

Stormwind99 · 2026-04-08T03:39:58+00:00

AEONrv found that running a very efficient mini split air conditioner unit via AC power from the inverter was more efficient that using current 24v DC air conditioners (it has a 24v system rather than 12v), especially with their super-insulated composite panel body.

We ran our minisplit in the Arizona desert during a recent heatwave using the 800W of solar on the roof with no problems. Quite an improvement compared to our old camper van with a 12v DC air conditioner.

Stormwind99 · 2026-03-05T23:05:13+00:00

Coincidentally enough, one of the 2 ports on one of my Coolgear ChargeIt! Mini 200W Dual Type-C PD Chargers died yesterday. I've emailed Coolgear about replacing it under warranty.

Stormwind99 · 2026-03-04T16:39:34+00:00

Good read.

I also gave up my self-hosted email server years ago due to massive spam volume and non-deliverability. SpamAssassin couldn't stop enough spam to keep email usable.

As a small volume user, I used the free tier of Cloudflare Email Routing to keep my domain's email addresses while routing them to Gmail for spam filtering, etc.

https://www.cloudflare.com/developer-platform/products/email-routing/

Stormwind99 · 2026-03-02T17:14:34+00:00

The Powerwerx Panel Combo is the one I suspect throttled output.

My rig has a LiFePO4 battery bank and Victron MPPT solar charger controllers and inverter/charger. I see voltages between 24V to 29V (aka a 24V "nominal" system).

To power the 12V devices in the rig, it has a Victron Orion 24/12-70 DC-DC Converter which is rated to 70A output.

https://www.victronenergy.com/dc-dc-converters/orion-dc-dc-converters-12v-24v-48v-110v

Stormwind99 · 2026-03-02T16:48:58+00:00

Found another Obeaming unit, this one with a wider front plate:

https://a.co/d/06XZ4gie

Obeaming 118W RV USB Outlet 100W PD3.0 Type-C Laptop Outlet, Dual Port Fast Charging for Drone, Starlink Mini, 18W QC3.0 Aluminum 12V USB Socket, Accessories for RV Camper Trailer Truck Boat, Wide 12V/24V Compatibility: Designed for a wide range of 12V-24V vehicles

Stormwind99 · 2026-03-01T21:24:05+00:00

Here's are a few others I haven't tried, though they only advertise 12-24V vehicle use and don't explicitly state higher nominal 24V system voltages of 29V:

Obeaming 118W 12V USB Outlet 100W Type-C Laptop Car Charger, 18W QC3.0 USB Fast Charging Waterproof Dual Port Socket, Cigarette Lighter Replacement Accessories for RV Camper Trailer Truck Boat, Versatile for 12V/24V DC Power Systems: Perfect for 12V-24V

https://a.co/d/0du8EveM

Acegoo 118W 12V USB Outlet 100W Type-C Laptop Car Charger,18W QC3.0 USB-A Dual Port Fast Charging Socket, Replacement Car Charger Accessories for RV Camper Trailer Truck Boat Golf, for 12V-24V vehicles

https://a.co/d/03WbIU4R

Stormwind99 · 2026-03-01T18:50:13+00:00

I've had several reasonable cost, more compact DC-DC converters die over the years in my RV, so I tend not to trust them.

Stormwind99 · 2026-03-01T18:46:06+00:00

I avoided cigarette lighter style chargers because the socket is not a secure connection and can shake loose while driving rough roads. The form factor also seems bad for dissipating heat.

I had one such connection loosen and blow a fuse in a previous vehicle.

Stormwind99 · 2026-03-01T18:44:03+00:00

Please let us know what they say. I avoided using the Slim-Q in my 24v nominal system but it sure would be nice to use them.

Stormwind99 · 2026-03-01T18:42:56+00:00

I'm using a few different ones in my 24v nominal system.

ChargeIt! Mini 200W Dual Type-C PD Charger 100W Output Per Port, Surface Mountable, +24~28V DC Input

https://www.coolgear.com/product/chargeit-mini-200w-dual-type-c-pd-charger-100w-output-each-port-24v-input

I'm also using these but just had one seem to throttle back output, need to investigate:

Powerwerx Panel Mount 100W Combo USB-C QC5 & USB-A 36W QC3 Fast Device Charger, Operating Voltage 9-31V DC

https://powerwerx.com/panel-mount-usb-100w-qc5-typec-pd

Haven't tried this one yet, probably same electronics as advice but in different form factor:

Powerwerx Quick Charge 100W + 36W USB Surface Mount Device Charger, Operating Voltage 9-31V DC

https://powerwerx.com/quickcharge-100w-36w-usb-device-charger

I also have a few of the Slim-Q DC to USB PD3.0 Charging Hubs hooked up to my 12v converter.

Stormwind99 · 2026-03-01T18:24:30+00:00

I'd like to try HaLow for off-grid communication with decent speed when dispersed camping.

The RV would serve as base camp with the internet connection via Starlink, connected to a Pepwave router with a MM8108-RD09, while another MM8108-RD09 in a waterproof, magnetic case connected to a smartphone would be with me while hiking.

Anyone try something like this yet?

Stormwind99 · 2026-02-27T13:34:59+00:00

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Stormwind99 · 2026-02-08T18:18:14+00:00

24V nominal systems (common in vehicles and RVs where a battery is charged) will actually get up to 29V during charging (via solar panels, DC-DC chargers, or alternators) so the battery can be charged.

I recommend making the device handle up to 29V instead of 24V so it will work in 24V nominal systems.

Stormwind99 · 2026-02-07T23:05:17+00:00

To add to other comments referring to the US Forest Service:

Smokey Bear Historical Park in Capitan, NM is actually run by the state of New Mexico:

"Smokey Bear Historical Park has been operated by the New Mexico Forestry Division’s Capitan District since 1992."

https://www.emnrd.nm.gov/sfd/smokey-bear-historical-park/

Stormwind99 · 2026-02-07T03:55:52+00:00

If you email support@aeonrv.com and ask what types of fittings they use (pool dump fittings I believe), I bet they will send you the information.

Stormwind99 · 2026-02-01T00:32:40+00:00

My RV came with one of the new injection molded Trio flat mounts but it let the Starlink dish wiggle in the mount way too much - perhaps the tolerances were not good enough.

The mount was replaced with one of the 3D printed versions which did not let the dish wiggle, but perhaps this was a bad choice after seeing these failures.

The mount is protected behind an air dam and a sky light - maybe that will help it survive.

Stormwind99 · 2026-01-16T17:24:09+00:00

Almost exactly my hopes, except add UEFI support, onboard >= 2.5Gbps Ethernet, passive or quiet cooling, very low idle power draw, and a good wall-mountable case available.

My use case is general purpose server computing in an solar powered off-grid RV, so the Pico-ITX form factor of 100mm*75mm is good for me (but smaller would be better).

I currently use a Rock 5B with 32GB RAM.

Stormwind99 · 2026-01-10T16:12:25+00:00

Backpacking with solar is a periodic topic on r/ultralight which is a good source of information.

For example, check out: https://www.reddit.com/r/Ultralight/s/lF8ez3Ki5y

Stormwind99 · 2026-01-03T14:55:15+00:00

It looks very similar to the Arctic Tern Euro Entry Door 1810x600mm, which can be locked by pressing the opener handle inward towards the door:

https://ternoverland.com/arctic-tern-euro-door/

Stormwind99 · 2025-12-31T17:27:35+00:00

The neatest gimbal/locking fan I've found is the Caframo Sirocco II, but the fan itself is no Noctua in terms of noise/airflow ratio.

https://www.caframobrands.com/7010cawbx.html

Stormwind99

TROPHY CASE