Frequently Asked Questions
What type of battery is in my Goal Zero Yeti?
Your Goal Zero Yeti uses custom designed Lithium Ion. Here are some basic facts about Lithium-ion
batteries:
1. Lithium-ion batteries can store and release a lot of energy in a short period of time. The batteries in
your Goal Zero Yeti are in a protective enclosure with a sophisticated battery management and
protection system controlling its terminals to the outside world.
2. It is critical that your battery does not get wet as moisture and water can get into the battery cells
behind the protection circuitry and bypass that protection.
How do I know if my device will work with the Goal Zero Yeti?
First, you'll need to determine the amount of power your device requires. This may require some
research on your end, a good internet search or examining the user guide for your device should
suffice.
Second, you will need to check the capacity for the individual output ports. For example,
Zero Yeti's AC port is powered by an inverter that allows for 120W of power. This means if your device
is pulling more than 120W for an extended period of time, the Goal Zero Yeti's inverter will shut off.
Another number to watch for is the surge rating of your device as compared to that of the port. The
Goal Zero Yeti inverter has an advanced surge management system that will maximize its compatibility
with various devices, but there will still be items that will surge at a higher rate, and for a longer time,
than the Goal Zero Yeti can manage, in which case the port will turn itself off.
Finally, once you know your device is compatible, you'll want to determine how long you'll be able to
power your gear from the Goal Zero Yeti. Here's a quick and dirty lesson in power.
All Goal Zero power packs and solar generators have a number in their name, ex. Guide10 Plus Power
Pack, Goal Zero Yeti 200X. These numbers refer to the Watt Hours (Wh), or the amount of energy that can
be stored in each Power Station, and how you'll know if your gear is compatible. For example, a 200 Wh
Power Station should run a 100W light for 2 hours
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(200/100=2). If your gear falls within the 200Wh capacity of the Goal Zero Yeti, you'll want to
check the restrictions on each of the output ports.
Another factor in the math is how much power is being converted going from the Goal Zero Yeti
battery to the device you are powering/charging. In some situations, like when running a 12V
device, such as the LAL 350, directly off the 12V port, there will be no conversion and so no
additional losses. In using the USB ports to charge a phone, you add a layer of conversion (12V
battery in the Goal Zero Yeti is being converted to a 5V USB output), which introduces around 10%
of losses.
When using the inverter, there are two layers of conversion (12V to high voltage, DC to AC). The
least efficient way of using the battery in the Goal Zero Yeti is to use an AC-DC adapter off the AC
ports, as is the case if you use a phone wall charger to charge your phone, as it adds yet another
layer of conversion in the wall adapter.
So when you're deciding on what to power from your new GOAL ZERO recharger, do some research into
your device's watt consumption. For more quick tips and learning tools, check out
www.GoalZero.com/learn.html
the Goal
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