Goal Zero yeti 400 lithium Review

I’m writing this review just as a reference for those thinking about buying a goal zero Yeti 400. I purchased the GZ to power my dometic CFX 50 on extended camping trips.

Additionally, I have GZ 100 w solar briefcase. As well as the 12v regulator plug to allow me to run the GZ below 11.1v without the dometic turning off from sensing low voltage.

Here was my trip and usage.

Drive 1200 miles plugged GZ into Toyota Tacoma 110 plug. Ran dometic off of 12v output on GZ. I did this in case I forgot to hit the button on truck inverter, which happened.

In the evening at the hotel GZ dropped from 100% to 85% by morning. Recharged GZ on final 400 miles to camp back to 100%

Camped 8 days without running car or alternate power source besides the sun.

Solar panel received about 6 hours of full sun each day.

Truck with fridge was in full sun for about the same amount of time, temperatures were 85-90.

Battery mainly ran my fridge, a cell phone charge each day and one laptop charge.

GZ Yeti 400 by third day at camp went to 55% but the following days I must have placed/ moved the solar panel more effectively because I managed to gain on my charge. On the last day the morning before leaving we woke up to 75%.

The mornings were usually the low point of the day and I could reach 85-95% charged by the time I unplugged my solar panel each day.

The max output from solar panel in direct sun was 68w.

My reason for this setup and not dual battery is I didn’t know if I would keep my truck and still don’t as I drive it for work truck and and personal use. So far this setups flexibility off taking it out of my truck after each trip has worked good for me.

I don’t have great picture of my setup at camp.

Here was original idea and settled on putting the goal zero on box behind fridge. I plan to build a box and more permanent setup if I keep the truck.

 

Thanks. I don’t camp, and will never buy one, but it’s still a good review. I was interested in the solar specs as I’m a solar nerd, and pay about $5 a month for electricity.

Enjoy camping and solar bro.

 

How many times have I forgotten to hit the 110 button after a stop/fuel up only to notice 100 miles down the road. Since you have to be in park to turn on bedside power you have to come to a stop to turn it on. So annoying.

Not having to push the button is priceless.

 

What temperature did you run the fridge at?

 

I had the fridge set at 32 during the day and would put it at 34 at night not sure this made much of a difference. Just thought i didn’t need it as cold with evening temps in the 50’s.