Goal Zero Yeti 400 Lithium & Boulder 100 Watt Solar Panel

[Corey]

This is posted in my buildup thread, but I am posting it here too in case no one saw it yet.

I use to run the ArkPak battery generator when camping to power up my string of old school Goal Zero 3 watt LED lanterns I hung on the Campinglab awning, and also to charge back up flashlight and camera batteries.
The Ark weighs in around close to 100 lbs, so I am retiring it to home duty for power outages.

I picked up the new Goal Zero Yeti 400 Lithium generator to take over for the ArkPak since the Yeti tops out at 17 lbs, a lot lighter for me.
To charge it back up I got the new Boulder 100 watt Briefcase solar panel.
The Yeti will power all of the LED lanterns, and charge up all of my batteries for my Fenix headlamp and 2,000 lumen flashlight.

The only thing I do not like about the Boulder solar panel is the flimsy canvas case Goal Zero provides with it, but as you can see in my video from Sunday, the Renogy case fits it fine.

I am still using the Renogy 100 watt solar panel, as its primary duty is to keep the aux. battery topped off while camping as it powers the National Luna Weekender 50 Twin freezer/fridge.

I ran a test yesterday with the solar panel hooked to the Yeti, but it was very overcast, and I was only pulling in 4 to 7 watts into the Yeti.
It will be much better in direct sunlight.

I have an email into Renogy to see if I can buy just the case so I can better protect my Goal Zero solar panel when in transit.

I really like the new Yeti, so light weight, and it should work out fine for camping.

 

[mkZero]

I just bought the same setup, Yeti 400 lithium and the Boulder 100 folding, but havent received them yet. I couldn't justify paying full price for them, as they are a bit overpriced i think, but all Goal Zero stuff is 25% off right now, so the price was a lot easier to swallow. For me, i decided to to try this system out instead of putting a dual battery in my FJ and adding batteries, an inverter, and solar controllers to my '53 travel trailer. I know this system is not as good or powerful as either of those, but i like the portability and the ability to have it as an emergency backup for home incase a power outtage. And the fact that it's turn key. I have such little time for projects these days...
I basically plan to use the system when camping to recharge phones, lights, drone batteries, etc., and in the future run an ARB style fridge.

@Corey you've had your system a couple years now, are you happy with it?

FYI for anyone interested, I think the 25% off sale is going through Memorial Day and you can get those prices through GZ directly, Amazon, REI, and probably others.