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Yes. It's fairly safe to leave it plugged. I believe GZ even recommends the battery being kept plugged to allow auto-top-off when it's not being used.

@@kalasag9113 I read that as well. Any idea where the excess energy goes?

Hi TJ, If your fridge is energy-efficient, you should be able to run your fridge 24/7 with about 15%-20% left the next day. If you can top off from sun-up to sun-down, it's possible to keep your fridge running 3-4 days in a row. I've gone 3 days straight just to test how far I can push the Y3K -- before cloudy days forced me to switch the fridge back on-grid.

@@kalasag9113 very cool. Thanks for the notes.

Will do one in July. Thanks for the reminder. :)

When I only had 3 panels, no. Now that I bought an additional 4 (deployed at the other side of the house), I figured learning how to splice and crimp myself was way cheaper and less wasteful.

At 100% capacity and without charging? Probably 2-days straight before the fridge uses up the Yeti.

@@kalasag9113 how long with the solar panels connected? I'm considering using one of these in a Promaster city van powering a dometic fridge and maybe some other small stuff. If you can power your fridge for 2 days I could probably power a dometic fridge for a week or two

Yes... but here's a much better story. I've been piloting the Yeti3K as a supplemental/hybrid AC source this entire Summer. 6-8hrs per day powering the fridge. It damn nearly cut-down my electric bill in half - and this is with my 650w solar panels just sitting out by the deck. Check this out: www.dropbox.com/s/sx7u36jjsrixy48/COMED.2019.1015.Usage.JPG

Depends on two things: 1. how much sun you get in your area, and 2. local laws that regulate what you can plug in portable lithium power stations. As for my setup, I've tested running the home fridge on it from 7pm to 7am the next day -- given a full battery charge from the day prior... and still have 25%-30% charge left on the system.

@@kalasag9113 i think you miss understood what i asked. Your video sounded more like you always had it plugged in so i was asking if thats what you do. And secondly i would love a link showing me the law stating i cant use batteries to power my appliances. If you have one please send it my way. Also. The last bit of info was actually helpful. Thank you.

@@jeffreyclement3564 My bad... No. I don't have the fridge "always" plugged-in... 'just 6-8hrs per day (sometimes longer when I have full sun) this past Summer. AC usage screen-scrape below provides proof. :) www.dropbox.com/s/sx7u36jjsrixy48/COMED.2019.1015.Usage.JPG In terms of the legality of using the Yeti full-time, I think it has more to do with not using an extension cord (full-time) beyond 6ft (per the national electric code)? So... if you can position the Yeti close enough where it allows you to plug your fridge directly to it, I think that should be ok. I'd suggest to check your local ordnance though... just to be sure. :)

The best setup is with a transfer switch, so you can eliminate the extension cord.

Trident. www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004NG5OA8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

@@kalasag9113 Thanks, boss.

For the time being, I actually put the panels out in the AM and put them away when the sun sets. I bought the GZ Home Integration breaker, but just not have had the chance to connect it to the main (so I can install the panels on the roof for 24x7 energy collection).

@@kalasag9113 Oh okay! Thank you for replying.

Kalasag 911 What do you mean connect to the main? Are you talking about the generators connecting to the main through the circuit break GZ offers OR the solar panels from GZ connecting to the main?

@@PowerL1N3 he means connecting through the home integration kit GZ offers. @Kalasag 911 I would be interested to see a quick vid or answer from you on your rooftop install plan with your connections from the panels to the Y3K to the home integration kit. Do your cable runs create power loss, etc, from panels to Y3k? Im also interested in hooking up a Yeti to my transfer switch and maybe running power hogging appliances off of it from time to time.

Sorry for the late reply... Yes and yes. This Summer, I've been heavily piloting a hybrid solar setup, with my Yeti3K and my 14yrs. old fridge as the guinea-pigs. Here's a snapshot of my AC usage for September 2019. www.dropbox.com/s/sx7u36jjsrixy48/COMED.2019.1015.Usage.JPG

Yes, I have. I actually have 2x 150 panels in storage. I tested with both power inputs last week and everything looks good. Thanks!

Kalasag 911 How many watts were you charging at using both inputs?

I've gotten as high as 435w for input. Left side was connected to a Renogy 200w briefcase + a Lensun 100w foldable panels. Output for both was only about 215w though. Right side was connected to 2x 150w Renogy solar panels, with input fluctuating between 220w - 230w. I probably could've replaced the Lensun with a spare 150w to get closer to 500w input, but I didn't want to push the voltage upper limit.

Kalasag 911 good to know, thank you. Im assuming you haven’t had any issues? How much do you use your yeti 3000?

I've been cycling the home fridge through off and on-grid juice this summer... I'm using the Y3K in the evening and topping it off when daylight comes. BTW, I loaded my Yeti today with 2x150w on the left MPPT and 1x200w + 1x150w on the right MPPT. The setup cranks up an average of 438w input when the sun is unobstructed. Pic1: www.dropbox.com/s/clou726ik0obfes/GZY2K3.2019.0701.01.jpg

Hi Daniel - The info you need is in the Definition section of this vid. Thanks! BTW, I just uploaded my year 2 (quick review) of the Yeti 3000. Here you go. th-cam.com/video/lVg2-xD-c84/w-d-xo.html

There is a 30 ft extension cable available for the 8mm port, though if you want to use 2 boulder 100 panels, you'd need to get a combiner that outputs to 1 APP cable, and Goal Zero sells 15 ft extension cables for that.

TheChadWork2001 - that's what the pause button is for, buddy. ;)

LEGEND02545 hey man when you get your yeti 3000 can you please let me know if it can do 3000 watts out and for how long ? Please

brandon granados -- On most inverters the surge rating is only momentary, a few seconds to maybe 15 seconds on average which allows (most) motors to start, then as the motor gets up to speed it,s power requirement drops off to the "Run Load" rating or less. So the Yeti 3000, 1400 and 1000 lithium series all use the same inverter and will provide up to 1500 watts continuous. The 3000 watts is only momentary. I have the 1000 and have drawn 1430 watts from it for 20 minutes without it shutting down.

It will destroy it. I forgot the maximum watts of safe input. It is written on the unit. You have to divide it in order to use the two MPPT inputs and or the other input. Make Shure you don't exceed it.

Hi Brian - Good eye! The cc on the renogy panels is actually in by-pass mode. I bought the solar suitcase for cheap (with the cc already integrated). I disabled that one to ensure efficient power mgmt comes from the 3k unit (which came with 2 cc's built-in) .

Could you explain the difference between the power station and the generator and why you would need to use one over the other?

The difference is mainly usage of terminology- generators typically run on a source fuel to run an engine to generate power, whereas "power station" is an alternate term for a solar generator, as you're using solar panels as the fuel source in a sense, and the engine is a combination of a battery pack, inverter, and charge controller in a single casing.

So the difference between the Goal Zero Portable Power Generator and the Goal Zero Power Station is one stores energy and can go from dc to ac and vv, and the other does not??

There's no difference, remember that these terms are interchangeable. They mean essentially the same thing.

Cool! Thank you, I guess it just threw me off that Goal Zero named one product a "generator" and the other a "power station."

I have 4x150w + 1x100w suitcase renogy panels as my primary power input for the Y3K... 'bought the Lensun 100w foldable to power a smaller lithium batt or when I want to test APP input without taking out the bigger panels. :) I'm very impressed with the Lensun - it's very, very light (compared to the Renogy suitcase), and when it's able to suck in up to 80% sunlight when it's properly oriented to the sun. 'only downside is the $. On sale when I bought it, and it still racked up $285 (shipping included). 'would highly suggest it vs. a GZ or a Renogy, if portability and weight are prime factors. Here's a link to it, in case you get the urge to try it out: www.lensunsolar.com/Lensun-100W-Solar-Charge-Power-Kit-Foldable-Portable-Flexible-Solar-Panel-for-Camping-Van-Caravan-Motorhomes-and-RVs

Brad - here's the one I'm using. You have to slide the red-black connectors apart and re-stack them to config for input. powerwerx.com/solar-mc4-anderson-powerpole-adapter-cable

Kalasag 911 Thanks, actually I think it’s this one specifically for Goal Zero charging input with non-standard orientated Anderson connectors: powerwerx.com/goal-zero-98014-mc4-to-powerpole. I considered ordering that one, but the Anderson connector didn’t appear to be covered with any collar in their photo, whereas yours appears to have a very sturdy collar. If yours represents what you actually receive from Powerwerx I may order theirs. Does it fit snugly, and can you confirm it’s actually the one in the link I pasted here? Thanks.

Kalasag 911 Another thought, the Powerwerx cable is only 1 foot, but yours looks very long. Are you using an APP extension cable? if yes, it it the one from GoalZero? (Their APP connectors are oriented oddly so normal APP extension would not be compatible).

Hey Brad - Yes. I'm using a GZ 15ft APP extension as my primary input cable to the Yeti. www.goalzero.com/p/507/app-15ft-extension-cable

The 15footer is then attached to a 4x APP combiner. www.goalzero.com/p/486/4x-anderson-combiner-to-anderson-connector which helps aggregate inputs from multiple solar panels.

I don't see why not, Ed. Charging via PWM plus MPPT will allow you to max out your solar input up to 650watts. I think it's a good investment, especially if you want faster charge times. Get the Renogy 100w or 150w solar panels. They're much cheaper than GZ's and they're better on shades/cloudy conditions.

Kalasag 911 Q-Was the MPPT in your Yeti 3000 from GOAL ZERO? I don’t see a GZ mppt on their website, but your mppt looks like it’s installed in a bay on the 3000. I don’t have my 1400 yet so i can’t examine the unit. If it’s an after market MPPT can you supply a link? THANKS!

Ed - My Y3000 comes with an MPPT controller already integrated. In terms of getting one for your Y1400... It looks like GZ is currently out-of-stock due to its popularity. Check this link from time to time. www.goalzero.com/p/510 You can also try entering your email address in their "notify me" box so you can get direct email from them when they have it again in stock. Post back if you have any other questions. Thanks. - Hanzo

It's very well suited for indoor use, Ed. Mine sits a few feet away from the Internet router and doubles up as a UPS (uninterruptible power supply).

Anthony Garrett I have a Yeti 1400 and a 2000i Honda generator. I wanted 2 power options in earthquake prone CA. I’m covered. Gas generator is good as long as your supply of gas. Just get one with a pure sine wave to run electronics.

Gregsway - the yeti series is 12v... you need to pair it with 12v panels. batteries and panels need to be matched on voltage. goal zero does some odd things with their lithium banks - iirc they use 10.8v or so, but still target it as a 12v system. higher end systems can mix and match panel vs battery voltage, but Goal Zero does not support it - they specifically say you will destroy your yeti if you use over voltage panels.

VNE7 is correct, Greg. Your 24v/250w may work short-term on the 12v Yeti until it reaches its power threshold, and then the power unit will probably burn-out shortly thereafter. I would dial-back down to a 150w-12v panels to ensure longevity. I'm using 150x4 + 100x2 briefcase as my primaries on my Yeti3K.

Hey man can you please let me know if the yeti can do 3000 watts out and how like can it run?

Hell I would not want to buy one until they put the mppt charger built in!!!