Great way to keep it simple and workable. Just went through the process and came up with almost the same setup. GoalZero 500x, ARB 50qt, 800w inverter. Waiting on the solar panel. But everything seems to be working great! Good video.
A real world performance test. Refrigeration is still one of, or THE, best invention of the past 100 years... People don't get that at all. Best review I've seen yet, because it helps me scale my own system: I'm going with the Alpicool 55 refrigerator, Inergy 1100 Wh Apex generator, Kyocera 130 watt hard panel on the rack, 120 watt foldable amorphous panel to run remotely (for parking in shade), and the Tacoma's stock 400W inverter in the bed as a backup power source. I'll never be baconless again.
Cool setup. Keep the videos coming. I’m currently testing my alpicool c20 and goal zero 1000 lithium. it appears I’m using about 6 watts an hour so I’m guessing right now about 5 days without a recharge. will share the video once the test is completed. I ended up making a 12v regulated cable as I wasn’t going to spend $40 on the goal zero one, the lithium goal zeros will drop well below 12v when going below 50% battery turning off most fridges will shut off unless you keep the voltage around 12.
I have more or less the same set up, Yeti 400 SLA and Dometic CFX-28. I run solar full time (100w mounted on a roof rack) and also have the higher voltage car charger for when I'm driving. My experience is more or less the same as you. Every morning, the goal zero is around 60-80% battery, by 10am-12pm, the goal zero is back to fully charged and doesn't even accept any additional charge. When the sun goes down, next morning it back to 60-80% again, back to fully charged by noon again, and repeat, it's been running like this for over a year now and it've been great, never had any issues. Every now and then when I know there's a lot of rain (cloudy days) and not a whole lot of driving, I have an extra 33ah battery that I plug into the anderson ports to add a bit more power to the setup. I also think it's way easier then a dual battery setup, only con is that it takes up valuable space whereas a dual battery might be hidden under your hood. But with that said, I would go the same route if I had to do it again except maybe the Yeti 400 Lithium instead.
Yea man, I think I would go lithium if I had to do it again. Thanks for the great comment and had to see it’s working for you as well! I have been trying to find a permanent spot for my yeti, it keeps getting moved around during my setups.
I own four GZ Yeti 400's. Use them in remote cabins and cottages here in Canada. They work great in my application as well - powering GZ lights, 12V DC SureFlow electric faucets, 12V DC fans, and in one case an ARB Fridge. I have them cascaded via Anderson connections to additional 33 Amp/Hr batteries for additional storage capacity (a very economical approach to gain additional storage capacity). I power them from either single or double 100 Watt Renogy solar panels. Just a couple of notes on the Yeti 400 lithium units. They won't cascade to additional batteries for expanded storage, which is an issue for my applications. Being in Canada, extreme cold is an issue for us, so AGM batteries perform better then lithium so I'm sticking with the cheaper AGM Yeti 400's for now!
You have just proved my original hypotheses that running an electric ice chest and solar is not only more expensive but less efficient that using my RTIC 110 qt roto molded cooler with 30 pounds of ice. OFF grid in the AUGUST heat of South Carolina with outside temps over 85 degrees I get 4 days easy on my FOOD cooler and 48 hours on my smaller drink 20 qt cooler . There are better ways to have your stuff cool , cold or even frozen in the WOODS. Nice video. I do have a GOAL ZERO 100 that I have had for over 8 years and use it to charge my ipod and boom box type stuff. Running a solar system for an off grid / overland refrigeration doesn't make sense for me unless it's only for 1 day.
Your quite a rumplestiltskin kinda guy love your video o have a enkeeo solar generator, and a 40 watt solar panel ,n a 450 watt apeak inverter ,plus a trickle 9 watt solar panel to keep me toped off i don't run mush just a joytuts 52 qt refrigerator 13 tv,tablet,TV,, and a o2 cool fan keep up the good work
Thank you..... I think...lol Solar is something that will definitely be getting upgraded in my setup! I am not a fan of my current Solar situation. Lol
Great video. Thanks for clarifying that up. I am curious since i live in Az and we get a lot of sun if that YETI 400 would maintain or even recharge in the daytime with the hard panels while running that fridge.
thanks for the review, it's helpful... what size inverter do you need to recharge it? can you not just plug it directly in from the batter to the 12v cig ligther plug?
Glad you made this video, i have recently been looking into portable power packs too, have you given any of the cheaper lithium packs a thought that are for sale on amazon? They seem pretty good?
Thank you and glad you found it useful. I haven’t looked into any other power packs yet. The Yeti is working great for me, so I will probably stick with it for a while.
I do this using the pure sine version of the Bestek with my PowerOak PS7 (1000Wh) power pack. Before getting the PowerOak and the Bestek I used a Suaoki G500 (which is not manufactured any more) and tried the Bestek then with it and it too worked a treat. "Dr. Hobotech" here on UA-cam claims, this works with all power packs. I'll be getting a new VW Caddy with a so-called "smart alternator" in a couple months, so will be curious to see if it also works with that car alternator.
Super informative, thanks, Scott. I'm looking to create a similar setup to avoid having to fit a dual battery system in my vehicle. Just to clarify: is the fridge always being powered by the Goal Zero, even when you're driving? In other words, you have the fridge plugged into the Goal Zero, and the Goal Zero plugged into the Jeeps power via the Bestek? Or do you just plug the fridge directly into the Jeep while driving, and then switch over to the Goal Zero when you're at camp. Thanks
Thank you for the kind words! And yes I’m my case, when it’s in the Jeep, I always leave it plugged into the goal zero and the goal zero chargers when I’m driving.
Hi great channel enjoying the content. I am after the same power set up who supplied the Gaol Zero and the fridge ? Been looking but after the best price s about if you don’t mind me asking what did they cost . Regards Chris
I have this same set up, how are you using your 12v plug in? The dometic 12v plug in tip is to wide and the yeti400 has this plastic piece preventing the 12v plug to make contact. Also read online that the yeti400 12v isn’t regulated so can’t run things like a fridge. Bc of this I’m forced to use the AC plug but draws double the watts from my yeti400. Wondering how you got your 12v to work with the fridge? Thanks!
The plug fits in mine. I have always ran it on the 12 volt plug. Haven’t had any issues with it running off it that way. Send me a message on Facebook or Instagram and I’ll take pictures of the plug and see if it’s the same as yours.
Hi. So why do you need an inverter to charge the yeti 400? Can't you charge it while driving by plugging it in to one of your vehicle 12v ports? Thanks.
You can, the 12v port is a lot less power. I think on the website it says around 16 hours to charge on a 12v outlet. I wired a inverter to my battery before, by using old jumper cables. The inverter had a power switch to turn on or off, so you didn't kill your battery.
I have never used the Anker. Sorry about that, but can’t honestly say anything about that one. I do love my Goal Zero though, in my Overland Power Setup video I go a little more into detail about the Goal Zero features.
The yeti only comes with an AC charger. You will have to buy a 12v charger separately. But the 12 volt charger will be significantly slower than running the inverter. So I decided to buy an inverter for a cheaper price and get a faster charger time. From my experience, I prefer the Inverter method.
Axe Overland thanks for the feedback. Does the fridge compressor trigger the 12v circuit breaker in the GZ to reset causing the fridge to all of the sudden not run? I heard this was happening to a few people. I contacted GZ and they said I would need to get some Anderson cable thing for $40 to fix this.
Great video. Looking into this set up (close to it). My main question is, since the battery is AMG, do you technically only get about 50% of its capacity per charge, roughly 200wh? Thanks for any help you can provide.
Thank you. Honestly, I’m Not sure about the actual percentage of wh I get from the battery. But I just released a new video talking about some other concerns with this setup.
I got a question how that happened because I have the same unit and I can't run anything other than my phone charger off of it. I tried an ice maker and it didn't work. I tried a little compact refrigerator that holds like a six pack and it didn't work. Iroko zero they told me I needed to send them a hundred bucks for the special cord so I did and it didn't work. The goal zero yeti 400 pack is at 100% charge and as soon as I plug in anything in it just dies. Do I just have a defective unit but because I didn't use it four other than running my phone and my laptop for years that I just didn't know that? So I got sold bum unit and now I'm suffering for it and basically I just flushed like $750 down the drain?.
I mean do you have your yeti plugged in or on solar charger car charge when you're running your cooler? Because I don't understand it why mine won't do what you all say they do so I'm trying to figure it out so I can actually use it and go camping again.
That’s weird. My Yeti runs my Fridge in 12volt without the yeti being plugged in to a charging source. I know this probably won’t work, but have you tried resetting it? When I got an error, they had me hold down the display button for like 30 seconds and it reset the error. I’m not sure that will help you, but I would ask Goal Zero if it’s worth trying
You've officially sold me on the Yeti sir. Thanks for keeping it simple yet informative.
Great way to keep it simple and workable. Just went through the process and came up with almost the same setup. GoalZero 500x, ARB 50qt, 800w inverter. Waiting on the solar panel. But everything seems to be working great! Good video.
Thank you and that sounds like a great setup!
A real world performance test. Refrigeration is still one of, or THE, best invention of the past 100 years... People don't get that at all. Best review I've seen yet, because it helps me scale my own system: I'm going with the Alpicool 55 refrigerator, Inergy 1100 Wh Apex generator, Kyocera 130 watt hard panel on the rack, 120 watt foldable amorphous panel to run remotely (for parking in shade), and the Tacoma's stock 400W inverter in the bed as a backup power source. I'll never be baconless again.
Thanks for the kind words and your setup is going to be awesome!!!
Best video ever, thank you so much to have tested everything, amazing!
A TON of excellent info all at once!! THANKS!!
Cool setup. Keep the videos coming. I’m currently testing my alpicool c20 and goal zero 1000 lithium. it appears I’m using about 6 watts an hour so I’m guessing right now about 5 days without a recharge. will share the video once the test is completed. I ended up making a 12v regulated cable as I wasn’t going to spend $40 on the goal zero one, the lithium goal zeros will drop well below 12v when going below 50% battery turning off most fridges will shut off unless you keep the voltage around 12.
Awesome and thanks for the kind words.
Great information thanks for sharing I'm a big fan of goal zero and the dometric fridges.
Thanks! I love this setup as well!
Nice setup. Honestly looking for a van setup for my family so we can ride around with food and drinks.
Thank you! It definitely works for me. And it’s great that it charges while
I drive!
Definitely recommend the newer 500X. Has regulated 12V port. You could get an adapter for the 400 to make it regulated too
sounds like good numbers to me especially when pre chilled before leaving the house
Thanks! Hasn’t let me down yet!
I have more or less the same set up, Yeti 400 SLA and Dometic CFX-28. I run solar full time (100w mounted on a roof rack) and also have the higher voltage car charger for when I'm driving. My experience is more or less the same as you. Every morning, the goal zero is around 60-80% battery, by 10am-12pm, the goal zero is back to fully charged and doesn't even accept any additional charge. When the sun goes down, next morning it back to 60-80% again, back to fully charged by noon again, and repeat, it's been running like this for over a year now and it've been great, never had any issues. Every now and then when I know there's a lot of rain (cloudy days) and not a whole lot of driving, I have an extra 33ah battery that I plug into the anderson ports to add a bit more power to the setup. I also think it's way easier then a dual battery setup, only con is that it takes up valuable space whereas a dual battery might be hidden under your hood. But with that said, I would go the same route if I had to do it again except maybe the Yeti 400 Lithium instead.
Yea man, I think I would go lithium if I had to do it again. Thanks for the great comment and had to see it’s working for you as well! I have been trying to find a permanent spot for my yeti, it keeps getting moved around during my setups.
I own four GZ Yeti 400's. Use them in remote cabins and cottages here in Canada. They work great in my application as well - powering GZ lights, 12V DC SureFlow electric faucets, 12V DC fans, and in one case an ARB Fridge. I have them cascaded via Anderson connections to additional 33 Amp/Hr batteries for additional storage capacity (a very economical approach to gain additional storage capacity). I power them from either single or double 100 Watt Renogy solar panels.
Just a couple of notes on the Yeti 400 lithium units. They won't cascade to additional batteries for expanded storage, which is an issue for my applications. Being in Canada, extreme cold is an issue for us, so AGM batteries perform better then lithium so I'm sticking with the cheaper AGM Yeti 400's for now!
You have just proved my original hypotheses that running an electric ice chest and solar is not only more expensive but less efficient that using my RTIC 110 qt roto molded cooler with 30 pounds of ice. OFF grid in the AUGUST heat of South Carolina with outside temps over 85 degrees I get 4 days easy on my FOOD cooler and 48 hours on my smaller drink 20 qt cooler . There are better ways to have your stuff cool , cold or even frozen in the WOODS. Nice video. I do have a GOAL ZERO 100 that I have had for over 8 years and use it to charge my ipod and boom box type stuff.
Running a solar system for an off grid / overland refrigeration doesn't make sense for me unless it's only for 1 day.
Great video Scott 👍🤛
Thank you!
Your quite a rumplestiltskin kinda guy love your video o have a enkeeo solar generator, and a 40 watt solar panel ,n a 450 watt apeak inverter ,plus a trickle 9 watt solar panel to keep me toped off i don't run mush just a joytuts 52 qt refrigerator 13 tv,tablet,TV,, and a o2 cool fan keep up the good work
Thank you..... I think...lol Solar is something that will definitely be getting upgraded in my setup! I am not a fan of my current Solar situation. Lol
Great video. Thanks for clarifying that up. I am curious since i live in Az and we get a lot of sun if that YETI 400 would maintain or even recharge in the daytime with the hard panels while running that fridge.
Thank you! And Possibly! Brad from TrailRrcon uses one in California. You can check out his video here.. ua-cam.com/video/ZqcpVV7hra0/v-deo.html
I'm in Phoenix looking into this too. I don't know much about solar but looking into it as well
thanks for the review, it's helpful... what size inverter do you need to recharge it? can you not just plug it directly in from the batter to the 12v cig ligther plug?
Not sure what you “need” but I only use a 300 watt. It did recently die but it ran u til this month so I think it done it job lol
Nice videos
Thank you
Glad you made this video, i have recently been looking into portable power packs too, have you given any of the cheaper lithium packs a thought that are for sale on amazon? They seem pretty good?
Thank you and glad you found it useful. I haven’t looked into any other power packs yet. The Yeti is working great for me, so I will probably stick with it for a while.
I do this using the pure sine version of the Bestek with my PowerOak PS7 (1000Wh) power pack. Before getting the PowerOak and the Bestek I used a Suaoki G500 (which is not manufactured any more) and tried the Bestek then with it and it too worked a treat. "Dr. Hobotech" here on UA-cam claims, this works with all power packs. I'll be getting a new VW Caddy with a so-called "smart alternator" in a couple months, so will be curious to see if it also works with that car alternator.
Super informative, thanks, Scott. I'm looking to create a similar setup to avoid having to fit a dual battery system in my vehicle. Just to clarify: is the fridge always being powered by the Goal Zero, even when you're driving? In other words, you have the fridge plugged into the Goal Zero, and the Goal Zero plugged into the Jeeps power via the Bestek? Or do you just plug the fridge directly into the Jeep while driving, and then switch over to the Goal Zero when you're at camp. Thanks
Thank you for the kind words! And yes I’m my case, when it’s in the Jeep, I always leave it plugged into the goal zero and the goal zero chargers when I’m driving.
@@AxeOverland Thanks Scott, appreciate the response.
No problem!
Hi great channel enjoying the content. I am after the same power set up who supplied the Gaol Zero and the fridge ? Been looking but after the best price s about if you don’t mind me asking what did they cost . Regards Chris
Thank you! I ordered the Goal Zero from Amazon and can’t remember where I found the fridge. Think it was a boat store.
Try Jackery Solar Saga 100W solar panels. They are awesome.
Thanks for the info! I will be building up a new system back in the states soon!
I have this same set up, how are you using your 12v plug in? The dometic 12v plug in tip is to wide and the yeti400 has this plastic piece preventing the 12v plug to make contact. Also read online that the yeti400 12v isn’t regulated so can’t run things like a fridge. Bc of this I’m forced to use the AC plug but draws double the watts from my yeti400. Wondering how you got your 12v to work with the fridge? Thanks!
The plug fits in mine. I have always ran it on the 12 volt plug. Haven’t had any issues with it running off it that way. Send me a message on Facebook or Instagram and I’ll take pictures of the plug and see if it’s the same as yours.
@@AxeOverland will do! I’ll be shooting you a message soon 🤙🏼 hoping it’s as simple as getting a different 12v plug in or something haha.
Hopefully it helped you out, looking forward to seeing if it works out!
Hi. So why do you need an inverter to charge the yeti 400? Can't you charge it while driving by plugging it in to one of your vehicle 12v ports? Thanks.
Yes, you will need the 12 volt adapter for the Yeti, it doesn't come with one. and its a lot slower than the inverter.
You can, the 12v port is a lot less power. I think on the website it says around 16 hours to charge on a 12v outlet. I wired a inverter to my battery before, by using old jumper cables. The inverter had a power switch to turn on or off, so you didn't kill your battery.
Exactly, definitely slower and an additional purchase that is more expensive than the inverter.
This might be a strange question but is your steering wheel on the right side
Lol, yes it is. I live in England.
iPhones reverse the image
What would you recommend. A goalzero or an anker powerhouse ? My fridge is the CFX 50
I have never used the Anker. Sorry about that, but can’t honestly say anything about that one. I do love my Goal Zero though, in my Overland Power Setup video I go a little more into detail about the Goal Zero features.
Hi- Do you need the inverter to charge the Yeti in your car? Or can you just plug the Yeti directly to the cigarette lighter whose driving ?
The yeti only comes with an AC charger. You will have to buy a 12v charger separately. But the 12 volt charger will be significantly slower than running the inverter. So I decided to buy an inverter for a cheaper price and get a faster charger time. From my experience, I prefer the Inverter method.
Axe Overland thanks for the feedback. Does the fridge compressor trigger the 12v circuit breaker in the GZ to reset causing the fridge to all of the sudden not run? I heard this was happening to a few people. I contacted GZ and they said I would need to get some Anderson cable thing for $40 to fix this.
Any noticeable difference with the insulated cover?
Honestly, I got the cover soon after the fridge. So I didn’t get to test it without it much. Sorry I can’t be more help there.
Great video. Looking into this set up (close to it). My main question is, since the battery is AMG, do you technically only get about 50% of its capacity per charge, roughly 200wh? Thanks for any help you can provide.
Thank you. Honestly, I’m Not sure about the actual percentage of wh I get from the battery. But I just released a new video talking about some other concerns with this setup.
I got a question how that happened because I have the same unit and I can't run anything other than my phone charger off of it. I tried an ice maker and it didn't work. I tried a little compact refrigerator that holds like a six pack and it didn't work. Iroko zero they told me I needed to send them a hundred bucks for the special cord so I did and it didn't work. The goal zero yeti 400 pack is at 100% charge and as soon as I plug in anything in it just dies. Do I just have a defective unit but because I didn't use it four other than running my phone and my laptop for years that I just didn't know that? So I got sold bum unit and now I'm suffering for it and basically I just flushed like $750 down the drain?.
I mean do you have your yeti plugged in or on solar charger car charge when you're running your cooler? Because I don't understand it why mine won't do what you all say they do so I'm trying to figure it out so I can actually use it and go camping again.
That’s weird. My Yeti runs my Fridge in 12volt without the yeti being plugged in to a charging source. I know this probably won’t work, but have you tried resetting it? When I got an error, they had me hold down the display button for like 30 seconds and it reset the error. I’m not sure that will help you, but I would ask Goal Zero if it’s worth trying