National Luna Power Pack ~OR~ Goal Zero

[roamingaz]

I need some advice on which system to buy. I like the Goal Zero 350 as it is easy to transport and not vehicle specific so I could bring it along in any of my vehicles, I need it to power a ARB fridge and maybe charge a cell phone run a led or 2, etc. has anyone used the Goal Zero to run a fridge and if so how long? I did see that they have a new larger model Yeti from Goal Zero that would serve my purpose well except for size and weight as it is large and heavy.
The National Luna looks like it would work very well for my needs but doesn't have near the features of Goal Zero and it needs to be hardwired.
Any ideas ?

 

[TexGX]

I have really liked the National Luna Power Pack. There are wires that need to be run, but it can be taken out with a quick pull. Check out my install. I am thinking about getting another connector and running that to a fuse panel to run other things in the truck. This too can be quickly disconnected.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/69747-National-Luna-Power-Pack-Install

TexGX

 

[roamingaz]

Very clean install TexGX, how long can you run your fridge with that setup?
I think I am going to go with the National Luna.

 

[TexGX]

I know that I left the fridge on for a couple of days and the voltage cut-off never went kick on(with out driving the truck). I had it set at the medium level. The NLPP still had several dots lit up. I have not done a true test, but with my type of drive and camp, drive and camp and drive and camp, it has worked perfect. I do like the fact that if I did want to camp in one spot I could take it out, but it is very heavy with the 31group Marine battery in it. Let me know if you want to see it or need help with install.

TexGX

 

[goodtimes]

Very clean install TexGX, how long can you run your fridge with that setup?
I think I am going to go with the National Luna.

It all depends on what battery you put in it.

With the Odyssey (in the NL power pack), I can get about 48 hours depending on how hot it is & how long we run the lights in the camper.

 

[1leglance]

what I like about the Luna is that you can change the battery years from now if it goes bad...the rest of the unit is should last forever

 

[Hudson]

I also chose the NL PPP, after looking hard at the Goal Zero and doing tons of research. Costco has the Goal Zero plus a 30w solar panel and inverter for $599, about the cost of the NL PPP shipped. Add another $300 for another 30w solar panel, and you have enough power to run your fridge and recharge overnight (sun permitting).

With the NL, it's about $575 shipped from AT, plus you have to add the battery (I chose a Sears Marine AGM Group 31), and another $150 to pay a shop to run wires, unless you run them yourself. So you are into the NL for about $900-$1000. And be smart and add a 10 amp charger for storage.

So far, they are a wash, cost wise. With the Goal Zero, you are dependent upon sun to recharge. If you have enough, you can probably recharge the Goal Zero and some low voltage cell phone plugs, and not worry. No sun or no AC access? You'll probably get a day, maybe two, out of the Goal Zero, especially if you run the inverter for AC power. You can parallel two Goal Zero 350's, but that is a lot of space to consume.

With the NL and a good Group 31 battery, you can probably run the fridge for 2-3x longer. The battery will charge during your trip, and on the way home. If you rig up a DIY solar system kit with a 120 watt panel, (about $350 from what I can tell), you can top off the the battery daily and essentially not worry about losing any power, provided you have sunshine.

I am just installing the PPP and don't have any real world experience with it. It was a bit more than I expected to spend, but I don't think I'll be needing any additions once I've got it set up. It is "portable" in the most basic sense, but at 80 lbs with the battery, I won't be moving this much if at all (I have it mounted in a dry box on my trailer).

I don't think the two systems are equal, as the NL with the right battery has much more capacity than the Goal Zero, but no solar recharge. The better comparison would be with the new Goal Zero Yeti, which will run about the same price as a fully loaded NL PPP, and has much more capacity than the 350. It also weighs a lot and is quite large. I understand that the Yeti's battery can be replaced with an AGM when the battery wears down.

 

[Hudson]

Here's the write up of my final PPP install. Will consider adding solar panels depending on needs.