The Portable Yeti Solar Generator
The yeti solar generator series is one of the top-rated generator series. The best part about Yeti is the number of options you are given to choose from. What I mean is there are different size generators, and you can choose how to charge it. The generator is well known to be solar powered although it can easily be charged by any ordinary outlet. What I like about this product is they have their own outlet for their own accessories.
Types:
Wh stands for Watt hour. A Watt hour is how we measure for power over a certain period of time. When using generators we are measuring the maximum amount of battery the generator can contain. For an example, a fully charged 100 Watt hour battery can power 100 Watts for one complete hour, or 50 Watts for 2 hours, 25 Watts for 4 hours, and so on.
Now looking at the types of Yeti generators you can see some are much stronger in Watt hours, but they drastically change in price as well. The 1250Wh yeti power lasts a very long time and is certainly the top option. The 400Wh and 150Wh are still a great choice, they just don’t last as long. Choose accordingly because it all depends how much power you even need, charging phones and smaller accessories will easily charge for hours on any generator.
How it works?
How the yeti works as a solar powered generator is you have to get the solar panels too. When buying your kit, choose the options of adding 1 or 2 panels or get the solar boulder 50 kit. The panels are your regular solar panels, they are easy to carry and are light-weight for camping, I prefer them for camping if you are always on the run. However, the boulder 50 kit is a hard durable solar panel with an angled stand for great sun exposure. Take a look at the kit types on Amazon to see for yourself. I recommend either 1 of the solar panels or just the boulder 50 kit for camping, just because you do not need all the extra gear.
Below is each the type of Yeti, I have displayed them in order of Watt-hour size. The top link is the generator without panels and the bottom is the kit. Feel free to take a look:
150Wh Generator No kit – here
400Wh Generator No Kit – here
1250Wh Generator No Kit – here
When purchasing the No Kit option you still have access to regular charge. The kit includes charging cables to hook up to a regular outlet, and a solar panel converting cable. This is just in case you ever want to buy the panels later on, which you can easily do on Amazon by clicking here.
Weight and Dimensions
150Wh –12 pounds and 7.8 x 6.8 x 5.8 inches
400Wh – 29 pounds and 8 x 10.2 x 8 inches
1250Wh – 103 pounds and 16 x 14.5 x 11.5 inches
As you can see, the more Watt hour the batter has the heavier and larger the generator is.
Solar Panel Options
The solar panel options vary in size, larger surface area usually results in more energy because of increased exposure to the sun. The prices vary when choosing a solar panel, choose a panel that suits you for your amount of energy needed. For example, there is no need to choose the Nomad 7 Solar panel when you have a 1250Wh generator. The lowest to have with a generator is the nomad 13 solar panel and it is only compatible with the 150Wh. The solar panels by Goal Zero have a very great solar power per square inch, which is why they have such a good quality product. (Note: Charge times are approximations)
Goal Zero Nomad 13 Solar Panel (HERE)
-compatible with the 150Wh
-not recommended with the 400Wh or 1250Wh
-150Wh charge time takes 26-52 hours
Goal Zero Nomad 20 Solar Panel (HERE)
-Compatible with the 150Wh and 400Wh generator
-Inot recommended with the 1250Wh
-150Wh charge time takes 17-34 hours
-400Wh charge time takes 40-80 hours
Goal Zero Boulder 15 Solar Panel (HERE)
-Compatible with 150Wh and 400Wh
– not recommended with the 1250Wh
-150Wh charge time takes 22-44 hours
-400Wh charge time takes 53-106 hours
Goal Zero Boulder 50 Solar Panel (HERE)
-compatible with all generators
-150Wh charge time takes 8-12 hours
-400Wh charge time takes 20-48 hours
-1250Wh charge time takes 75-150 hours
Goal Zero Boulder 100 Solar Panel (HERE)
-compatible with all generators
-150Wh charge time takes 2.5-5 hours
-400Wh charge time takes 8-16 hours
-1250Wh charge time takes 20-50 hours
The higher the number the better the solar panel is, meaning it charges quicker. The boulder 100 is clearly the most efficient charging solar panel. It is easy to leave your solar panel outside all day charging your generator. A full days charge can get you lots of power throughout a night of camping.
Goal Zero Accessories
Goal Zero Light A Life
The goal zero light easily connects into a yeti generator of any size. What is cool about this accessory is that you can buy as many as you like and can connect them to each other. There is a port in every light that makes them connectable.
The light is compact-able, great for camping and traveling. What’s great is you can actually stretch the light out when it is time to use. The light is 3″ high and 4″ wide. Hanging a light up is important, the Light A Life includes a built-in carabineer and 3 magnets, it is perfect to clip on and of surfaces.
Lighthouse series
Lighthouse 400 – A lantern that has a USB charger port, great for phones, etc. Adjustable light. 2- 48 hours charge.
Lighthouse Mini- Provides adjustable light and a USB 1.A plugin. Adjust use and hold up to 500 hours of charge.
Lighthouse Micro – Light and bright. 150 Lumens. USB rechargeable. Can hold 170 hours of charge.
Lighthouse Micro Flash- Has a flashlight and lights up. 170 hours at low lighting.
Lighthouse Micro Charge – USB charger, can charge phone one time or run 100 hours or flashlight.
The series consists of lantern lights, flashlights and USB chargers, great tools for camping.
Lighthouse Series (CLICK HERE)
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is time to decide on what portable solar generator you would like to have. Choose a compatible solar panel, maybe one you would prefer to another. When your personal generator arrives from delivery, it is simply time to charge it. While solar charging, place panels out in the sun and connect it to your very own Yeti generator, wait for it to charge, as a result, you have your own energy source.
The Yeti generator series is well worth its price, the quality is certainly better then other solar generators I have used.
If you have any questions, thoughts, or input on the Yeti series by Goal Zero then feel free to comment below.