Using a Jackery or Goal Zero 1500x as shore power

corunner

(Titled edited for search purposes.  Moderator)

I thought I had read somewhere that this was not a good idea, but I can't find it.  Just brainstorming ideas and would be interested in any and all perspectives.

I plan to boondock in my 320s BD (arriving this Friday) for 4-6 days at a time.  Mainly out west where the sun is plentiful.  I was wondering if I had (2) 100w panels charging a GZ 1500x and then plugged in my 320s into the 1500x via an adapter, could I run electrical (no AC or heavy usage) off the 1500x and use the 110 outlets inside (mainly charge a laptop or other small stuff)?

I'll add that I'd also have a stock battery connected to the stock solar panel, so I suppose the 1500x would also trickle charge the stock battery if shore power was plugged in?

I believe I could get a 200Ah LiFePO4 battery, inverter, and solar panels for a little less - and accomplish the same thing, but curious to hear any thoughts of using a Goal Zero 1500x in this way.

jkjenn

These type of solar generators generally have an open neutral ground plug. If you are using an EMS (which I strongly recommend), it won't work to connect to the 30 amp outlet like shore plug. I even tried an adapter like you would use with a generator with my Yeti 1000 and no dice.

You can connect the Yeti to a smart charger and trickle charge the T@b battery by connecting directly to the battery. 

If someone else has found a way to get this to work as shore power, I would love to know about it.

pthomas745

To use the outlets inside the trailer...something has to be putting out 120 volts.  (I might be wrong....!)  A generator, or a shore power connection. A Goal Zero or any of the so called "solar generators," are still just 12v batteries.  Not "generators" in any sense of the word.  If you are on shore power, your trailer's converter will probably do a better job of charging the trailer's battery.

Wait to get your trailer and see how the stock battery solar work for  your plan.  You may need a small inverter that will plug into your 12V plugs inside the trailer to run your laptop and "small stuff."  I do that all the time, with a stock 80 amp hour battery and a 100 watt panel.  I also carry a small 30 amp hour battery and use the inverters on it, also. 

Does you new trailer have installed solar?  What fridge will you be using?  The fridge power use (if not the 3 way fridge) will be your biggest power draw.

Someone else may have a better perspective on how the GZ might tie in.

corunner

Yes, the new 2021 trailer has the stock solar roof panel and the newer 2 way fridge.  And I completely agree that I have a lot of testing in my future.

The GZ 1500x has a "120V AC Inverter: 120VAC 60Hz, 16.5A (2000W, 3500W surge) (output, pure sine wave)" and claims to be able to run some beefy electrical equipment (circular saws, etc).  This is why I was thinking it could act as shore power.

VictoriaP

It can be done. I guess for me, the question is why you think the GZ setup would be better than investing in your second option of upgrading your permanently installed system? Is there an advantage for you to do it that way?

My thoughts: Using an expensive portable system in this way means pretty much not leaving your campsite any time you have this setup deployed, or having to work out a plan to secure everything, for fear someone will walk off with it. A permanently installed lithium is harder to quickly steal. Leaving a GZ outside also means figuring out how to keep it dust-free and dry...even the desert gets rain sometimes, and these devices are neither water nor dust proof. Trailer mounted panels never need setup or packing away, they basically just work, from sunup to sundown. Portable panels can be moved around to maximize their time in the sun, which can make them worthwhile, but I’m not seeing any real advantage to using a 1500x in place of a lithium onboard the trailer.

I carry a smaller lithium GZ Yeti and a portable panel as an emergency power source. But my goal this year is to add solar to the trailer itself and upgrade the current battery, because honestly, I just do not want to have to think about it as part of my setup and teardown routine every single trip. I’d rather have the trailer be pretty much self contained as far as power goes, with the portable panels deployed only when the onboard system isn’t enough.

pthomas745

Well...today I learned....here is one example of doing what you want to try.  Kinda convoluted...but...

https://thesolaraddict.com/plug-solar-generator-into-rv-trailer/

corunner

@pthomas745 - thanks for the link.  There's some helpful info in there and probably could have saved this post.  The inside wiring is a bit convoluted indeed.

My thought was to arrive at campsite, plug the trailer into the GZ, put out the suitcase panels while connecting them to the GZ, and be done.

Security and weather is an important consideration.  The panels would be secured via a security cable to the frame.  The GZ would be housed in one of those nifty diamond plated utility platform boxes that everyone seems to be getting (or something like it).  I'd drill a smallish hole in the back or bottom to be able to run the trailer power and security cable through.

@VictoriaP - I get your point about having everything installed so setup/teardown is simple and worry-free.  That's what I'm trying to get at with this idea.  The GZ affords the option to use in other non-camping situations.  I also like that it is all self-contained (inverter, solar converter, battery monitor, etc) and I don't have to buy/manage those separately.  

VictoriaP

corunner said:

@pthomas745 - thanks for the link.  There's some helpful info in there and probably could have saved this post.  The inside wiring is a bit convoluted indeed.

My thought was to arrive at campsite, plug the trailer into the GZ, put out the suitcase panels while connecting them to the GZ, and be done.

Security and weather is an important consideration.  The panels would be secured via a security cable to the frame.  The GZ would be housed in one of those nifty diamond plated utility platform boxes that everyone seems to be getting (or something like it).  I'd drill a smallish hole in the back or bottom to be able to run the trailer power and security cable through.

@VictoriaP - I get your point about having everything installed so setup/teardown is simple and worry-free.  That's what I'm trying to get at with this idea.  The GZ affords the option to use in other non-camping situations.  I also like that it is all self-contained (inverter, solar converter, battery monitor, etc) and I don't have to buy/manage those separately.  

Having everything in one package is convenient...until a component dies and cannot be easily replaced, if at all. The built in inverter is the most likely candidate to fail, as inverters in general seem very prone to do. We have people here who’ve gone through multiple inverters over the course of just a few years. 

Use in non camping situations is actually why I have a GZ at all, and yes, for that it’s very useful. But if it died tomorrow? I could replace it with a home built setup that did everything it does, with 100% user replaceable components, and likely for the same or less money. Probably wouldn’t be quite as pretty or as compact, but I could get it pretty close.

Using the inverter function will cost you some usable battery capacity. As I understand it, there is always some loss in powering the inverter and to the actual conversion process. So definitely add that into your calculations.

If money isn’t an issue, having the ability to use it outside of camping is a high priority, and you don’t care that it’s perhaps less capable than upgrading the onboard setup with that same money would be? Yes, it’s doable. There are also similar “solar generators” that may be less expensive or a better fit than the GZ, it’s worth investigating what’s out there. Much like Apple or Samsung, you do pay a premium for the GZ name, and equally reliable products with better features can exist at the same or lower price points. (I say this as an Apple owner! LOL)

One side note, be sure to add keeping it charged at home into your plans. Maybe it’s just mine, but I find it drains even when theoretically “off” much quicker than any other battery pack in the house, lithium or sealed lead acid. There seems to be some sort of parasitic draw going on with those components that I don’t see with my big car jump pack (which has all the same functions).

SubaruLou

I recently purchased a GZ 1500X and two 100w foldable Rockpals solar panels and wondered, too, what would happen if I plugged my T@b in. Haven’t gone out to the storage unit to try it. I’m sure it would be more energy efficient to just have it in the trailer and plug what I need in directly. I mostly bought it to have reliable power for my Dometic cooler while traveling. I also want to see if it will run the AC for a short time, just to help bring the temp down after sunset. In theory it should. It takes me two days to drive from TX to AZ to see family and I usually end up at a rest stop with no power for the night. 

bergger

I recently bought a jackery 1000 and plan on trying this as well come spring time.  It has a 1000 watt inverter with 2000 watt surge on it.  I also have the two saga 100 watt solar panels.  It's more out of curiosity, we're electric misers when we camp and conserve it religiously, but I think will also be a nice back up if our battery does runs low.  Also would be convenient to use the all the outlets in the trailer to plug chargers or what not into.  We went with a second portable system vs a more robust permanent trailer system as we plan on using the jackery primarily when we overland in our truck.  It offers more flexibility for us.  

dsfdogs

I have the Battle Born lithium in my trailer and bought a GZ1000 lithium. I too had the idea to plug the trailer into the GZ to recharge, but someone here said it would be more efficient to use a separate battery charger attached directly to the battery. I have the Noco 10amp. I don't yet have solar. 

Tabnero

mine works just fine with the tab. I just attach adapter to the tab power cord and plug it into the 115 volt ac plug on the Goal Zero yeti. It ran the window ac as well, but it would not be for long and that is not what I use it for.

Tabnero

jkjenn said:

These type of solar generators generally have an open neutral ground plug. If you are using an EMS (which I strongly recommend), it won't work to connect to the 30 amp outlet like shore plug. I even tried an adapter like you would use with a generator with my Yeti 1000 and no dice.

You can connect the Yeti to a smart charger and trickle charge the T@b battery by connecting directly to the battery. 

If someone else has found a way to get this to work as shore power, I would love to know about it.

Hi Jenn, the yeti from goal zero does not have an open ground like a gas generator generally does. I do not use the surge protector between yeti and tab. I just plug the tab cord into 3 prong 15 amp plug adapter that then plugs into the yeti. I leave the goal zero in the covered bed of my truck. I ran the AC on the 2016 CS I had. I have not tried the ac on the 2021 because it is still too cold in central texas to kick it on. But next week we will see 83 degrees so I will try it then. Wish you well

Tabnero

sorry I meant to say yeti does not have floating neutral like a gas generator

webers3

This set-up is another option for extending boondocking stay, and powering the 110v outlets in your T@B if you don't have an inverter. Thanks @Tabnero for providing real experience with this type of set-up.

Olena

Just piping up because I camp with both an internal battey and a Yeti 400 that both charge off solar panels. I use each battery as a separate system. Keeping them separate gives me more watt hours in total, I think.

Denny16

I also do the same with the Yeti GZ Olena, I use the GZ as a separate system to augment my TaB system, and get 12VDC where I need it.  I have a small 150 watt unit, works well to power small outdoor lights, run our cell phone booster (until I get a dedicated 12VDC plug installed for it).  Comes in handy when you want light at an outside picnic table area.
cheers

VictoriaP

If I were in the market for a GZ 1500x right now, I think I’d be giving some serious research time to the EcoFlow Delta 1300. It has a significant advantage over all the competition in that it can recharge to 80% via wall power or generator in just a few hours, which I can see being useful for recharging while on longer boondocking trips. My GZ 400 lithium takes a good chunk of the day to recharge if deeply discharged, and from other reviews I’ve seen, the 1500x takes a very long time to recharge even on wall power.

That said, the Delta apparently is also significantly noisier due to their fan system.

https://generatorgrid.com/reviews/ecoflow-delta-1300/

Edit: to be clear, this isn’t a recommendation, just something I came across a while back. It’s intriguing, but I haven’t done a head to head comparison. 

rh5555

@VictoriaP - Thanks for sharing the EcoFlow, it looks very interesting and much more aggressively priced ($1400) than the GoalZero.  For completeness, you can buy a 600W fast charger for the GZ1500X which drops your recharge time down to 3 hours, but that adds another $200 to the pricey $2000 unit.  If anyone has experience with the EcoFlow Delta, please chime in!

corunner

If GZ is your brand of choice, there is a new, cheaper model (1000x) coming out this spring.  It's an intriguing, less expensive model with lower specs - but those specs may be right for the needs of some.  GZ doesn't have much on their website, but I did find more detail here.

https://www.solar-electric.com/goal-zero-yeti-1000x-portable-power-station.html

Tabnero

costco was selling the gz yeti 1000 last year for $900

SubaruLou

One way to take the bite out of the high price tag of the 1500x: If you're not already an REI member, when you join, you get a coupon code for 20% off any single item. I used my coupon towards my 1500x and saved $400! 

kennethrmccall

Ecoflow River Pro is on sale at Costco.com right now

SilverFox2021

If you are Off Grid for multiple days and you have no shore power, can you plug your trailer into a Jackary 1000 for your lights, fans and pumps? I already have the JAckary and am hoping that I might be able to use it for boondocking purposes? Thanks 

Grumpy_G

That has been covered before, yes you can use one of these portable power sources to power the trailer. It's not the most cost efficient or energy efficient (convert battery DC to AC in the Jackery and then AC to DC in the trailer) compared to just using a second battery.