Goal Zero Yeti Car Link Alternative

How to Charge a Goal Zero Yeti

On this page we’ll show you alternate ways to how to charge a Goal Zero Yeti 1000 and many of the other lithium battery based Yeti power stations. We show you how to charge a Goal Zero Yeti using a DC-DC charger connected to your car battery alternator, how to charge your Goal Zero Yeti using low-cost computer laptop chargers, and how to charge your Goal Zero Yeti using an inverter.

Are solar power banks like the Yeti worth it? In our opinion YES! Read on for more information below how we charge a solar battery bank like the Yeti.

Goal Zero Yeti 1000

This item was purchased from Costco back in August 2017. We could have also purchased directly from Goal Zero the manufacturer themselves.

At the time of this writing (January 2018), Costco’s price was $300 less expensive compared to GoalZero’s website price. If you are able to snag an open-box version from Goal Zero, you’ll save appropriately $150 over the Costco price.

All the electrical needs inside our Sprinter van are powered by the Yeti 1000. Laptops, water pump, Milwaukee battery charger, electric LED lights, and USB-powered items such as cellular phones, external mobile battery packs.

Sprinter Discovery Vanlife Photo Goal Zero Yeti 1000

Goal Zero Yeti 1000 Battery Details

From the manufacturer, they provide the following battery details (verbatim):

* Cell Chemistry: Li-ion NMC
* Peak Capacity: 1045Wh (10.8V, 96.8Ah)
* Single Cell Equivalent Capacity: 290.44 Ah @ 3.6V
* Lifecycles: 500 Cycles to 80% capacity (Discharge: 1C, Full charge/discharge, Temp 25C)
* Shelf-life: Charge every 3-6 months
* Management system: PWM charge controller, low battery protection

The MSDS (Material Safety) sheet: https://www.goalzero.com/media/files/msds-yeti-1000-lithium-90-9512.pdf

Goal Zero Yeti 1000 Battery Input and Output Ports

From the manufacturer, they provide the following battery input and output port details (verbatim):

Output Ports

* USB Port (output): 5V, up to 2.4A (12W max), regulated
* 6mm Port (output): 12V, up to 10A (120 W max)
* 12V car port (output): 12V, up to 10A (120W max)
* 12V High Power Port (output): 12V, up to 10A (120W max)
* AC inverter (output, pure sine wave): 120VAC 60Hz, 12.5A (1500W, 3000W surge)

Input Ports

* Charging port (input, 8mm): 14-22V, up to 10A (120W max)
* High Power Charging port (input): 14-22V, up to 30A (360W max)
* Expansion Module Port: Covered port under the lid. To be used with Goal Zero expansion modules only.

Alternator Charging for the Goal Zero Yeti 1000

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In September 2020, we purchased the Victron Energy Orion-Tr Smart 12/24-15 DC-DC Charger (View on Amazon) .

This unit, connected directly to the Sprinter van starter battery using 8AWG stranded copper wire (View on Amazon) with a length of 6 feet, will take 12V and up-convert it to a pure, clean and steady 24V at 15A.

This is effectively taking the energy created by the Sprinter Euro 6 engine alternator, and charging the Goal Zero Yeti 1000. It’s also possible to do this with the latest power stations from Goal Zero - namely the Goal Zero Yeti 1500X, the Goal Zero Yeti 3000X and the biggest model they curently have - the Goal Zero Yeti 6000X.

The output of the Victron is then wired to the input of the Goal Zero Yeti 1000 APP (Anderson Power Pole) connector using 10AWG / 6mm2 stranded copper wire with a length of 8 feet which can support an input voltage range of 15V-22V with a maximum amperage of 25A. You can obtain a pre-made cable via Amazon (View on Amazon)

When properly configured using the VictronConnect app on an Android phone, the Victron can supply a constant voltage between 20V and 22V. The Orion is configurable between 20.0v to 30.0v, but the Goal Zero Yeti 1000 maximum input voltage is 22v. The newer models like the 1500X, 3000X and the 6000X all support voltages greater than 30V. So you can actually set your Victron Orion to the 30V. But if you have the Yeti 1000, make sure the value is between 20V and 22V. We currently use a value of 20V in the VictronConnect app to be on the safe side.

When the van is not running, the power to the Goal Zero Yeti 1000 will automatically switch off. Note that the Yeti 1000 can accept a range of 15V to 22V, so this Victron unit is a perfect application for supplying power to the Goal Zero Yeti 1000.

With the DC-DC charger in power supply mode, the parameters for input voltage lockout are set to 13.2V and 13.4V for the 2016 Sprinter. No need for solar panels on the van as this unit will pump between 330W and 360W of power into the Yeti 1000, depending on the ambient temperature inside the van. After a lot of testing with this setup, in low temperatures (5 degree Celsius) we see that the watts coming into the Yeti sometimes goes up to 370W and then settles down to about 355W-360W. In hot temperatues we find that the watts going in is around 330W or so.

In actual use, when the Yeti 1000 is at 70% available power, one hour of driving will fill it to about 96% full. Since the Yeti 1000 is a 1000Wh battery, and the Victron can pump 360Wh into the Yeti, it should take less than 3 hours of driving to completely go from near zero to full.

On Youtube, there is a channel by a gentleman by the name of Todd Parker. He notes that the optional Goal Zero MPPT module (View on Amazon) can actually accept voltages between 15V and 30V, even though the manufacturer states it can only accept between 15V and 22V.

So if you have this module installed, you can configure the VictronConnect app to 30V and plug into the MPPT module safely. Just make sure that you DON’T plug that into the built-in PWM module since it can only accept up to 22V.

Here’s the video we produced entitled “Goal Zero Hack - Alternator Charging” in order to show you how it was accomplished.

The Victron Orion can also be used to power other power station products from Goal Zero and other manufacturers This is detailed below.

Yeti 1000 Technical Specifications

Goal Zero Yeti 1000
https://www.goalzero.com/shop/archive-power/goal-zero-yeti-1000-lithium-portable-power-station/
High Power Charging Port (Input): 14V-22V, up to 30A, 360W max (for the PWM side). If you have the optional MPPT module, you can add another 360W for a total charge of 360W+360W = 720W of power Victron DC-DC Charger Model that will power this properly: Victron Orion TR-Smart Isolated 12/24-15 (View on Amazon)

Other Battery Solar Generators Matched to the Victron Orion DC-DC Charger

The following Goal Zero and Inergy power stations will charge using the Victron Orion:

Goal Zero Yeti 1000 CORE

Yeti 1000 CORE Amazon Special
Charging High Power Port (input): 14-50V, up to 25A (300W max)
Note that this version of the Orion is only 10 AMPS, so that it stays under the 300W maximum.
Victron Orion TR-Smart Isolated 12/24-10 (View on Amazon)

Goal Zero 1400

https://www.goalzero.com/shop/archive-power/goal-zero-yeti-1400-lithium-power-station-app/
High Power charging port (input): 14-22V, up to 30A (360W max)
Victron Orion TR-Smart Isolated 12/24-15 (View on Amazon)

Goal Zero 1500X

https://www.goalzero.com/shop/portable-power/goal-zero-yeti-1500x-portable-power-station/
High Power charging port (input): 14-50V, up to 50A (600W max)
Victron Orion TR-Smart Isolated 12/24-15 (View on Amazon)

Goal Zero Yeti 3000X

https://www.goalzero.com/shop/portable-power/goal-zero-yeti-3000x-portable-power-station/
High Power charging port (input): 14-50V, up to 50A (600W max)
Victron Orion TR-Smart Isolated 12/24-15 (View on Amazon)
On January 28, 2021 one of our YouTube subscribers confirmed that they were getting 380W input into their Goal Zero Yeti 3000X while running the Victron Orion connected to their alternator.

Goal Zero Models and Other Popular Brands that won’t charge with this setup

Even though the Goal Zero variants below will not charge using the Victron Orion DC DC charger, you can successfully use this device from Goal Zero (View on Amazon),

which allows you to plug into your cigarette lighter and charge the Yeti slowly, around 55W.

Goal Zero Yeti 150

https://www.goalzero.com/shop/last-chance-gear/goal-zero-yeti-150-portable-power-station/ Or via Amazon:
Charging port (input, 8mm, blue, circle): 14-29V, up to 5A (60W max)

Goal Zero Yeti 400

https://www.goalzero.com/shop/last-chance-gear/goal-zero-yeti-400-portable-power-station/ Charging Port (input, 8mm, blue, circle): 14-29V, up to 10A (120W max)

Goal Zero Yeti 200X

https://www.goalzero.com/shop/portable-power/goal-zero-yeti-200x/
Charging port (input,8mm): 13-22V, up to 7A (100W max), regulated

Goal Zero Yeti 500X

https://www.goalzero.com/shop/portable-power/goal-zero-yeti-500x-portable-power-station/
Charging port (input, 8mm): 13-22V, up to 10A (150W max)

Jackery Explorer 1000 / 240 and all other models

https://www.jackery.com/products/explorer-1000-portable-power-station (View on Amazon)
DC Input: 12V-30V (163W Max)

MaxOak Bluetti AC200P - and all other MaxOak Bluetti products

https://maxoak.net/products/bluetti-ac200p-2000wh-2000w
AC/PV Input: 7.9*0.9mm DC, 42V/200W, OCV 16V~68V /MAX.10

Direct Connect 24V Lithium Battery to MPPT Module (Untested)

One of our YouTube viewers mentioned that the MPPT module could connect to a 24V LiFePo4 battery directly since the module is capable of handling voltages between 15V and 48V. That could be used to charge the Yeti directly. In between we can place a Victron 12V/24V battery protect module (View on Amazon) to turn off the power coming from the 24V lithium battery when the battery reaches the 20% state of charge level. The unit is configurable over BlueTooth using the VictronConnect app.

Potential Idea/Concept for Extra Battery Storage (Untested)

Goal Zero also produces a much more expensive and dedicated car charger called the Goal Zero Yeti Link Expansion Module (View on Amazon) . The problem I have with that is it is only useful for the Yeti power station and nothing else. The Victron DC-DC charger can be used to supply power to the Yeti 1000, but it can also be used to charge 24V AGM/Lithium battery banks - which may be purchased in the future. So even if we sell the Yeti 1000, the Victron unit is still very usable for other projects.

You could create your own more flexible version of the Yeti Link Expansion Module and create your own Goal Zero Yeti Expansion Tank Battery (View on Amazon) . I have not yet tried this idea, but here’s the concept:

Get any 12V battery, and connect one end of the 2Pcs Battery Quick Connect 50A Anderson Style Power Connector Plug (View on Amazon) to the end of the wires, then connect the wires to the battery.

Then connect the other end to the cable leading to your Goal Zero Yeti 1000.

When in “car mode”, simply connect the cable from the Goal Zero Yeti 1000 over to the Victron Orion, and make sure that you are in Power Supply mode, and that the output parameters are set accordingly.

To make use of the extra 12v battery you have as an extra power reserve for the Yeti 1000, you would simply unplug the Victron Orion from the car battery, and then connect the standalone 12v battery connector to the Victron Orion, change the power supply parameters to cut off at the 12.01v or 50% depth of discharge if you are using AGM type batteries - this way power can go into the Yeti 1000 until half the battery is discharged and then will stop. Obviously if you choose to use a more expensive Lithium battery, the depth of discharge can go down to near zero, so adjust the Victron Orion parameters accordingly.

So imagine that the Yeti 1000 is now fully charged from driving, and your standalone 12v battery is now drained. You can’t recharge the standalone battery using the Victron Orion since the model we have is for 24v batteries. You can make use of another Victron product for charging batteries - Victron Energy Blue Smart IP65 Charger 12V 15A (View on Amazon) .

Simply disconnect the standalone battery from the Yeti 1000 (since it was drained in tank mode), and then connect the Victron Blue Smart charger to the Yeti 1000 AC outlet, and then to the battery. Of course you’ll need to set the Victron charger parameters appropriately for the type of battery you are using. This will certainly drain the Yeti 1000, but as you drive it will still charge both the separate battery and the Yeti 1000 so long as you also plug into the Victron Orion.

Temperature Problems - Hot weather

At first, the battery was situated directly behind the drivers seat on the floor. During the warm summer months, the battery performed flawlessly. On one particularly hot day in Oregon where the inside temperature rose above 40c, the Rowenta fan was running full speed to provide a bit of relief inside the van. The Yeti 1000’s fans started up, trying to cool the unit. After a few minutes, the entire Yeti 1000 stopped working except for the internal fans running full speed. It had reached it’s maximum operating temperature. The thermometer display on the LCD screen lit up, meaning “temperature warning - allow the unit to cool”.

Temperature Problems - Cold weather

The Sprinter van floors are not insulated. Just the standard rubber flooring on top of the plywood on top of the metal Sprinter floors. That leads to cold floors which transmit the cold to the bottom of the Yeti 1000. The Espar D2 heater generates enough heat inside Discovery to make it a comfortable 72F. With indoor/outdoor carpeting in the living area between the crew seats and the bed, the floor is not as cold. In sub-zero temperatures outside, the Yeti 1000 absorbs the cold from the floor. One evening when trying to boil water with the kettle for some tea, the Yeti 1000 started off at around 78%, then suddenly went to zero percent without warning. Turns out the lithium battery was too cold to operate. Goal Zero recommends that the unit be stored in an insulated cooler so that the heat generated by the Yeti 1000 when in use will keep the overall unit warm.

The Yeti 1000 was then moved to a new location, on top of the sturdy heater box covering the Espar D2. Even with the Espar D2 running at full blast, the Yeti 1000 doesn’t get hot since the heat output is not directed towards the Yeti 1000.

With the Yeti 1000 not touching the uninsulated floor, rather just six inches above the floor, the Yeti 1000 performs flawlessly when it is sub-zero outside.

Charging the Yeti 1000 - Inverter

Our van does not have solar panels on the roof. To keep things very stealth, we will most likely never install solar panels on the roof.

Prior to purchasing the Victron Orion Isolated DC-DC charger (View on Amazon) in September 2020, I used the following method:

A simple 300 watt inverter mounted with double-sided tape to the driver seat base, connected to the 12v cigarette lighter socket under the drivers seat connects the Yeti 1000 charger. While driving, the 300 watt inverter is turned on to charge. To charge quicker, Goal Zero recommends getting a second power adapter, and plugging that in simultaneously as the other adapter. This will essentially double the speed of charging.

I do recommend a very high quality inverter, like the Victron Phoenix 12V variant as shown here. Click the photo to view the price on Amazon.

One word of caution. If the Yeti 1000 is below 50% charge, and the 300 watt inverter connected to the 12v connection is left on, the main vehicle battery will drain if parked overnight. Remember to turn off the 300 watt inverter when parked. I ran into this situation several times, and it contributed to the early demise of my Mercedes starter battery and a multitude of Espar D2 heater issues. You can read all about that in our Heater pages.

When parked at home, a long commercial grade extension cable (View on Amazon) is connected to the Yeti 1000 and the house 110v electrical outlet. It looks like this:

For quicker charging and without spending a whole bunch of extra money, we purchased the Goal Zero 8mm to APP (Anderson Power Plug) connector and added 4 Lenovo 90W Power Adapters which have an 8mm output, from a collection of ThinkPads which I use at home and at work. This, combined with the charger power supply from Goal Zero brings up the charging wattage to about 320W. We add a fan pointing to the chargers to keep them cool, otherwise the temperature exceeds the operating rating of 105F.