Goal Zero Yeti 1250

[RatedPG]

Hi all!

Has anyone here tried the Goal Zero Yeti 1250?

What are the pros and cons for this unit?

[SunEagle]

Hi all!

Has anyone here tried the Goal Zero Yeti 1250?

What are the pros and cons for this unit?

What do you think?

It only has 60 watts of solar panels and they state it will take 40 hours minimum to recharge the battery pack in that unit.

It also states it has 1250 watts of power but does not provide the battery size. If you look at the table below of how many charges you can get out of it for a headlight, Go pro or laptop it calculates out to about 1000 - 1200 watt hours. That is a 12volt 100Ah battery.

It also weights over 100 lbs.

All this for only $2000.

[RatedPG]

It also states it has 1250 watts of power but does not provide the battery size.

These are the tech specs for its battery

Cell Type: AGM Lead Acid
Peak Capacity: 1200Wh (12V, 100Ah)
Lifecycles: hundreds of cycles
Shelf-life: Keep plugged in, or charge every 3 months
Fuses: 200A (4x 50A fuses in parallel)
Management system: MPPT charge controller, low battery protection

I spoke with Goal Zero today. They say I can use solar panels up to 240W / 48V. I can also connect 4 more batteries with the same specs (in parallel)

I'm not getting the solar panels from them.

[SunEagle]

These are the tech specs for its battery

Cell Type: AGM Lead Acid
Peak Capacity: 1200Wh (12V, 100Ah)
Lifecycles: hundreds of cycles
Shelf-life: Keep plugged in, or charge every 3 months
Fuses: 200A (4x 50A fuses in parallel)
Management system: MPPT charge controller, low battery protection

I spoke with Goal Zero today. They say I can use solar panels up to 240W / 48V. I can also connect 4 more batteries with the same specs (in parallel)

I'm not getting the solar panels from them.

You have confirmed what I estimated for a battery size. I would not build a battery system wiring them in parallel. That leads to imbalance in charging and discharging for each unit.

I like the idea of being able to use more solar panel wattage but how much more depends on what type of charge controller they provide.

Most of the pre packaged systems look neat and pretty but IMO are very expensive for what you get. That is why I speced out all my components and purchased them separately then modeled my system from one I saw going for almost twice what I spent.

The choice is yours but I would keep looking and then make a spread sheet with the specifics of each system (pv watts, battery size and type, charge controller size and type, inverter size and type.). Then you can compare costs against wattage or kWh output.

[RatedPG]

The choice is yours but I would keep looking and then make a spread sheet with the specifics of each system (pv watts, battery size and type, charge controller size and type, inverter size and type.). Then you can compare costs against wattage or kWh output.

I like the Plug & Play convenience of the Goal Zero, but if can build a system comparable to theirs, I'd do it. I only need guidance with the specs and the sourcing of components.

I'm just hoping I can get all the tech support from this forum should I take the DIY route.

Still waiting on the order from BePreparedSolar to be canceled though.

[RatedPG]

I like the idea of being able to use more solar panel wattage but how much more depends on what type of charge controller they provide.

They did not give details on the MPPT charge controller on the unit, but they did tell me that I can use solar panels up to 240W / 48V

[SunEagle]

I like the Plug & Play convenience of the Goal Zero, but if can build a system comparable to theirs, I'd do it. I only need guidance with the specs and the sourcing of components.

I'm just hoping I can get all the tech support from this forum should I take the DIY route.

Still waiting on the order from BePreparedSolar to be canceled though.

Let us know if you get your money back. That will determine if you just modify it or start with a total different set of hardware.

Once you have determined your daily watt hour usage (I would estimate higher than lower) then a system can be sized along with hardware suggestions.

Don't spend any more money until you understand what you really need. I wish I had listened to that tip before I over spent building my systems.

[RatedPG]

Please help me...

Let us know if you get your money back. That will determine if you just modify it or start with a total different set of hardware.

Once you have determined your daily watt hour usage (I would estimate higher than lower) then a system can be sized along with hardware suggestions.

Don't spend any more money until you understand what you really need. I wish I had listened to that tip before I over spent building my systems.

The company has processed my order cancellation and I have received a notification from PayPal that my payment has been refunded.

Please help me now build my solar power system. I have rounded off my daily watt hour usage to 2500Wh. But I can go to 3000Wh if I can stay within my budget.

I started a thread about it here: http://www.solarpaneltalk.com/showth...r-System/page4