Connecting non-proprietary solar panel to Goal Zero Yeti 400

[john61ct]

OK, this was not a common tip size until Lenovo switched to 20V with their laptops requiring 90W power supplies.

Most vendors list the precise spec as 7.9mm OD, 5.5mm ID with positive center pin (positive for Lenovo, TBD for Yeti.

but apparently some of the universal tip vendors go down to 7.7mm OD, which presumably works OK.

Some detailed discussion here: https://forum.thinkpads.com//viewtopic.php?t=57469

This shows precise measurements
http://www.bixmart.com/LC80--Right-...-IBM-Lenovo-Laptop-Power-Adapters-_p_197.html

Sources

http://m.ebay.com/itm/DC-Power-Tip-...-Cable-For-IBM-Lenovo-7-9-5-5mm-/262776227220

http://www.bixnet.com/dccotipforib.html

 

[john61ct]

And the question remains, this Input port seems to go to the in-built solar controller, so is designed to handle what range of Voltage, and how many watts (amps) input?

Apparently the shore charger is somewhat anemic? Maybe a stock Lenovo 19V power supply would charge the batt faster at 90W?

A proper high-amp charger directly connected to the battery would be even better, it is LFP right?

If so should accept say 50A at 13.8V no problem, just need to stop when current gets down to under an amp.

 

[tbisaacs]

Just to be 100% accurate. That is NOT the MC4 to 8mm adapter cable in this photo. That adapter has the same 8mm plug but the actual cable is 4 or 5 times thicker and only 12-15 inches long.

Here is the MC4 to 8mm connector

I have the MC4 to 8mm and it is nice but it REQUIRES using MC4 connectors. A more flexible option might be to use the Anderson to 8mm connector. $9.99 and in stock now http://www.goalzero.com/p/488/anderson-to-8mm-connector/


Matt

Correct. My exact setup is

Renogy MC4 to GZ MC4 to 8mm adapter.

I plug that into an 8mm extension cable and then into the yeti.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[snowblind]

And the question remains, this Input port seems to go to the in-built solar controller, so is designed to handle what range of Voltage, and how many watts (amps) input?

Goal Zero says it will take "14-29V, up to 10A (120W max)" for the Yeti 400 and 400 Lithium. I believe these are software set limits though as I've seen over 130W charging from the vehicle with thick cables. My truck alternator is pushing way more than 10 amps but the GZ is happy taking what it needs.

Apparently the shore charger is somewhat anemic? Maybe a stock Lenovo 19V power supply would charge the batt faster at 90W?

The GZ charger maxes out at around 70W. Goal zero sells a 4-way input combiner so you could add a second charger if looking for faster AC charging.

A proper high-amp charger directly connected to the battery would be even better, it is LFP right? If so should accept say 50A at 13.8V no problem, just need to stop when current gets down to under an amp.

Yes but prob not worth the effort. In my opinion a portable system like the Yeti is all about NOT using AC power. My Yeti bulk charges very quickly on vehicle power so if I'm down at like 20% I run the truck for 15 min and get back to near 60-80% charge. After that you're tapering off the charge regardless. They make a new LFP and an old AGM model. We're talking mainly about the AGM although the charging port specs are the same.

I would remove the battery from the Yeti if I wanted to use a high-amp charger. Too many delicate electronics inside that box.


Matt

 

[Sandypantsalaska]

Okay just wondering. I have the yeti 150,I wanted to mount a panel or 2 to my roof rack and connect to my Goalzero 150.

Besides mc4 to 8mm adapter, or anderson plugs to 8mm, so I need to worry about a charge controller?

I have 1 bolder series 30 panel. The out put on the back I think is the charge controller? I know it has an input for other panels. I use to link 4 30 series panels together but somebody stole 3 of them.... so 1 have 1 left and they are $$ so help me out.
New panels I was looking in Amazon. Saw 100W panels. (Don't know of better place to look)
Can I Hook them in to my yeti 150 directly, or into the back of the bolder 30 etc. Does the new panels need a charging controller? Sorry I'm just overwhelmed.

 

[john61ct]

No idea on "bolder", find and post the tech details, but likely no harm in just trying.

If you buy a generic 12V kit like Renogy or Grape from Home Depot, just confirm its output is within the Yeti input specs.

I would not do both at once without testing with a DMM and ammeter first.

 

[Outdoorpete]

FYI.... You need to call Goal Zero for the Mc4 to 8mm Connector...They are doing limited sales of the cable...That why they are out of Stock online....
All Goal Zero Yeti products had Charge controller build-in... the 150 and 400 watt non-LITHIUM has pwm and not mppt controller.

 

[erstwild]

I'm thinking of buying the Yeti 3000 Lithium and the overpriced proprietary panels are a major turn off. I'm planning on needing 300-400 watts of solar panels on my rig going into the Yeti unit. Does anyone have any recommendations for a pair of 150-200 watt panels that are compatible and could be connected correctly?

 

[Outdoorpete]

are you planning on using the Yeti 3000 to power everything on your rig?.... the 3000 has MPPT charger controller you can plug into with anderson connector.... and daisy chain two or three 100watt solar panel via mc4 connector to a anderson connector to Goal zero.
https://powerwerx.com/solar-mc4-anderson-powerpole-adapter-cable solar panel to Goal Zero cable

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009Z6CW7...olid=1VHZ9G2C4DXES&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it solar panel 100watt

 

[erstwild]

are you planning on using the Yeti 3000 to power everything on your rig?.... the 3000 has MPPT charger controller you can plug into with anderson connector.... and daisy chain two or three 100watt solar panel via mc4 connector to a anderson connector to Goal zero.
https://powerwerx.com/solar-mc4-anderson-powerpole-adapter-cable solar panel to Goal Zero cable

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009Z6CW7...olid=1VHZ9G2C4DXES&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it solar panel 100watt

Yes, I'm planning on running everything (except a webasto or espar heater) eventually. Here are my general planned consumption patterns and estimates:

Regular use:

Dometic 50L Fridge (say 0.8 amp/hour at 12 volts)
2 x Maxxair Deluxe Fans operating at 1 or 2 settings (one exhaust, one intake for no window cracking) (say 0.6 amp/hour at 12 volts)
Maybe High Efficiency LED Rope Lights Strung around cabin (?)
Charge laptop, iphone, power usb hub for basic peripherals, 27 inch LED monitor (might investigate 12 volt monitors in future) (?)

More infrequent use:

Electric guitar + Pedalboard (voodoo lab power supply, 12-18 volt pedals, no big amp just headphones for practice)(I'll have to try to test with my Anker Powerhouse to get an idea of consumption)

 

[plh]

Yeti 3000 Lithium - is there like 300 18650 cells in this thing?