Goal Zero for Power Suppliment

sabel

Does anyone use a Goal Zero generator to suppliment power on their T@B? If so, how do you use it? I'm considering a Yeti 400 which has a chaining port so our Zamp 80 watt panels can be used to charge it. Wondering it the Yeti can simply plug into the T@B shore power plug-in.   

Nomad

jkjenn would be your Goal Zero go to - Think she's mentioned GoalZero more than anyone and has a big collection of GZ products.

kybob

I have a Goal Zero 400 that we use for running our CPAP machines at night when camping without hookups. To recharge it, I plug it into one of the T@Bs electric outlets and have my T@B connected to my Honda generator for a couple of hours each day. I also have a 12v adapter to charge it while on the road. I really like it. I picked mine up through on of REI's 20% off members sale and used my yearly dividend to purchase it at a reasonable price. 

sabel

We belong to REI too. Im trying to determine if a Yeti can recharge the T@B's battery somehow. Either by plugging into the Zamp solar plug or the shore power inlet.

AldebaranJill

sabel said:

We belong to REI too. Im trying to determine if a Yeti can recharge the T@B's battery somehow. Either by plugging into the Zamp solar plug or the shore power inlet.

I don't see anywhere on the specs that it can do this, but here's their number:
888-794-6250 (Goal Zero).

wizard1880

Found specs on Amazon--33 AH.  Since it's also a lead acid battery, you only get 16 AH usable.  A typical small group 24 battery (that most dealers put into t@bs) gives you 80 or so AH (40 usable).

Considering losses in efficiency, you might be able to put in 10-12 AH from a fully charged Yeti, into your campers battery.

Best to save the battery for your lights and fridge, then use Yeti for CPAP.

kybob

Maybe plug a battery tender into the goal zero, then connect the tender to the battery

sabel

wizard1880,
Guess I knew the Goal Zero could not fully charge a group 24 battery but was hoping it would be enough to keep the Alde pump and controls work for a day or two on a cloudy day. 
Thanks  for doing the math.

SueBC

So - could you recharge the Yeti by plugging it into one of the T@Bs electric outlets - and at the same time have the T@B battery charging from a solar panel? - or would that cause too much of a drain on the T@B battery? - just asking as I'm new to this and still figuring out solar use.

rajamar

SueBC said:

So - could you recharge the Yeti by plugging it into one of the T@Bs electric outlets - and at the same time have the T@B battery charging from a solar panel? - or would that cause too much of a drain on the T@B battery? - just asking as I'm new to this and still figuring out solar use.

No, the 110V electric outlets are only energized when on shore power. There is no inverter in the system to change 12V DC battery power into 120V AC. When on 120V shore power there is a converter to feed 12V DC to the 12V loads (LED lights, fans, pumps, Jensen radio and TV) and a charger to charge the battery. If no shore power, you would have to charge the Yeti with a solar panel after charging up the battery.

Ratkity

Unless you have a T@B 400. They have an inverter. 

Verna

@Ratkity, I’ll have to check on whether all of the outlets are connected to the inverter in the 400. I know they have one extended outlet from the inverter. 

skwhee

@Ratkity, @Verna
In the T@B 400's that are equipped with the optional inverter, only a single 110V outlet is powered and only when the inverter is switched on. Both the outlet and the on/off switch is located on a panel at the foot of the bed on the right side of the kitchen cabinet.

Ratkity

My 2018 F150 has an inverter with one plug (I think.. maybe two).