Goal Zero Yeti 400 Lithium & Boulder 100 Watt Solar Panel

[Corey]

This is posted in my buildup thread, but I am posting it here too in case no one saw it yet.

I use to run the ArkPak battery generator when camping to power up my string of old school Goal Zero 3 watt LED lanterns I hung on the Campinglab awning, and also to charge back up flashlight and camera batteries.
The Ark weighs in around close to 100 lbs, so I am retiring it to home duty for power outages.

I picked up the new Goal Zero Yeti 400 Lithium generator to take over for the ArkPak since the Yeti tops out at 17 lbs, a lot lighter for me.
To charge it back up I got the new Boulder 100 watt Briefcase solar panel.
The Yeti will power all of the LED lanterns, and charge up all of my batteries for my Fenix headlamp and 2,000 lumen flashlight.

The only thing I do not like about the Boulder solar panel is the flimsy canvas case Goal Zero provides with it, but as you can see in my video from Sunday, the Renogy case fits it fine.

I am still using the Renogy 100 watt solar panel, as its primary duty is to keep the aux. battery topped off while camping as it powers the National Luna Weekender 50 Twin freezer/fridge.

I ran a test yesterday with the solar panel hooked to the Yeti, but it was very overcast, and I was only pulling in 4 to 7 watts into the Yeti.
It will be much better in direct sunlight.

I have an email into Renogy to see if I can buy just the case so I can better protect my Goal Zero solar panel when in transit.

I really like the new Yeti, so light weight, and it should work out fine for camping.

 

[moabian]

Your ArkPak apparently needs to go on a diet. What kind of battery are you using in it? I've been using an ArkPak for nearly 2 years and it has never weighed 100 pounds. I use a 100Ah lithium battery from Battle Born in the ArkPak. It weighs 29 pounds...and provides nearly 3 times the power of the Yeti 400 Lithium.

 

[Corey]

Your ArkPak apparently needs to go on a diet. What kind of battery are you using in it? I've been using an ArkPak for nearly 2 years and it has never weighed 100 pounds. I use a 100Ah lithium battery from Battle Born in the ArkPak. It weighs 29 pounds...and provides nearly 3 times the power of the Yeti 400 Lithium.

Here is the info from the installation.
http://forum.expeditionportal.com/t...erland-amp-daily-driver?p=1428805#post1428805

Here is the battery, a heavy one indeed at 74.6 lbs.
I am using a type of battery that ArkPak suggested.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003FFVI8A?tag=viglink20599-20

I did not know you could buy automotive size lithium batteries to use in the ArkPak.
That is OK though, I am happy with the smaller Yeti, as it is about 1/2 the size of the ArkPak, and it does not require the HUGE power capable of the ArkPak to just run a string of lanterns and to charge back up camera and flashlight batteries.
The Yeti will be getting recharged all day long from the Boulder 100 watt solar panel.

 

[tbisaacs]

I have this same setup, except non-lithium yeti and an ARB 50.

very happy so far. Been running my fridge in the back my rig in the heat for 36 hours and it's still at 100% capacity.


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[Corey]

I have this same setup, except non-lithium yeti and an ARB 50.

very happy so far. Been running my fridge in the back my rig in the heat for 36 hours and it's still at 100% capacity.


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Great, glad to hear it keeps the ARB going.
I will pass this info to a guy over on fjcrusierforums site.

 

[Kalisaya Power]

Check out the KaliPAK 601! 558Wh and just 14 lb, and that comes with a 40-Watt Solar Panel.

Only $599!

https://kalisayapower.com/products/kp601

 

[pdxfrogdog]

Check out the KaliPAK 601! 558Wh and just 14 lb, and that comes with a 40-Watt Solar Panel.

Only $599!

https://kalisayapower.com/products/kp601

No thanks.

 

[Crossfaced]

Or build your own for $300

http://forum.expeditionportal.com/threads/172703-My-300-Goal-Zero

 

[Corey]

Your ArkPak apparently needs to go on a diet. What kind of battery are you using in it? I've been using an ArkPak for nearly 2 years and it has never weighed 100 pounds. I use a 100Ah lithium battery from Battle Born in the ArkPak. It weighs 29 pounds...and provides nearly 3 times the power of the Yeti 400 Lithium.

You might want to rethink about using your lithium battery in your ArkPak.
Brett explains in this post from yesterday.
http://forum.expeditionportal.com/threads/135855-Ark-Pak-Questions-and-Queries?p=2316974#post2316974

 

[Wynn]

I have this same setup, except non-lithium yeti and an ARB 50.

very happy so far. Been running my fridge in the back my rig in the heat for 36 hours and it's still at 100% capacity.


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Did your cigarette adapter fit into the Yeti cigarette socket? The center metal connecter on the ARB cigarette adapter appears too large and won't contact correctly. Wondering if you had to work around this issue.

 

[tbisaacs]

Did your cigarette adapter fit into the Yeti cigarette socket? The center metal connecter on the ARB cigarette adapter appears too large and won't contact correctly. Wondering if you had to work around this issue.

No. I ended up charging with a 100w Renogy solar panel.


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[mep1811]

Get a hold of Paul at Adventure Tool Company . He can make you up a sturdy case for your Goal Zero Panel

http://adventuretoolcompany.com/custom-designs