Great video. You got everything what you need to have electricity. The ability to charge with the car alternator is best option to have always enough juice off grid.
Aaron I’m in the same boat as you. Van is for weekend and 1-2 week long trips. I really did not want to do the full battery/inverter/mppt charger/dc-dc charger etc. The Goal Zero (I ordered the 6000x kit from Freedom Vango) exceeds my power needs, safer, takes up less space, way easier to install and cheaper than a full system. I’ll have my electrical system installed in days vs. months.
Thanks for the video! Do you have solar as well or just power from the alternator? My design is very similar to yours. The biggest power concern is the diesel heater in the winter. However, I don't plan to be on long trips. Mostly weekend stuff. Thanks!
I have a 100w solar that trickle charges the goal zero. On sunny days, it tops off the battery by end of each day. In the winter I use the alternator connection more often. The heater works too well and pulls such little energy, I doubt that will be an issue for you. My fridge on hot summer days is what hits my battery the hardest. I have a dometic 35... but hot summer days also have lots of sun so it's not an issue.
I understand that the cycle life of the Yeti 1500x is only bout 500 cycles. What are your thoughts on this? It seems like if you plan to use it a lot, this might be a problem, that it might only have a few years life.
Great question. I don’t use the battery hard enough to kill it in a few years. Arguably the battery has many more cycles than 500 if you run it in the appropriate mode and utilize trickle charge. I hardly ever run it from 100 to 0, but will if I need it. I’m happy to recycle the battery every 4-5 years considering it’s versatility. If I was living in my van, I’d go bigger.
www.inputmag.com/reviews/goal-zeros-yeti-1500x-is-the-best-solar-generator-for-most-people That doesn’t necessarily mean the Yeti 1500X won’t be a long-lasting product, though. What the company means by “500 cycles to 80 percent capacity” is that, after 500 full charges and discharges, the battery will have 80 percent capacity left. I spoke to Goal Zero representatives about this, too, and they assured me this estimate was conservative, and that most users could expect “10+” years of service if they didn’t use their units too hard.
I built my own cover for my 1500x out of some insulation material, similar to a soft cooler. I used it for a month and threw it away. I found that these batteries are so good and heating up or cooler down fast on their own, a cover prevents that from happening. With the cover, my batter would get just as cold overnight and take 3x as long to heat up. I found they perform best with no cover. I rarely pull the battery out. If it super cold and I dont plan to drive it for a few days, I turn the spar heater on.
How is you van in summer? No rear AC as far as I can see. Looks like you may be in CO so air is dry but summer can still be hot especially on the western slope. Thoughts?
Im in UT, so the air is dry but annual temp swings from -5f to 105f. The summer is manageable with window shades and one maxair fan. Fridge works perfectly to keep stuff cold and solar charge is very strong in summer months. I use the awing a lot to keep shade on the van. An AC unit would be nice BUT i tend to seek high elevations so its a waste of power for me to add one.
@@crowdtastic thanks. We lived in CO and recently moved to ME. Which windows did you choose? I am looking at a couple different options and not sure I have seen the configuration you have. Finally, what roof top gear rack did you go with?
100w of solar drops down from roof and ties into the 1500x for trickle charge. 1500x connected directly to main vehicle battery via GZ car link module to charge 1500x when solar is not avail. 12v output (anderson plug) from 1500x brings power to my fuse block.
The link is definitely compatible. Ive been using without issue for a month, in cold temps. I have the latest link (Oct 2020) and am awaiting a firmware update to fix a few small issues.
The link is absolutely compatible. We work with goal zero directly to engineer the kit he is using from us to do the integration. There are issues with the firmware of the old link unit in installations other than how we do it. However, with a firmware update, it's the same as current ones.
Hey there folks, anyone have ideas on how to best access the Goal Zero? The app is cumbersome and doesnt always work, I would hate to have to open the bench every time I have to turn on the inverter. Any ideas? Has anyone added an external battery monitor, or connected with it via app on an old ipad?
The GZ does get too cold to charge if I dont run the heater a few times a week. If the van sits in cold for a week, ill pull the GZ out and bring into house. It does not take long to warm up and accept a charge. Ive never had a problem as im always topping the battery off with a charge. I would not have gone with a GZ if I did not have a good heater.
265/75/R17 BFG AT KO2's. Black Rhino Warlords. I actually do have a bit of rubbing on vancompass shocks when in full turn over a bump. Installing spacers very soon.
No. The Espar gets power from the fuse block which is powered by the GZ 1500x. Espar has a install manual in english that is really helpful for the install.
it will power any 12v heater, but i do not recommend a space heater in a van. be careful with what you do here and if its propane, please have a strong air circulation and venting.
@@crowdtastic Aaron my space heater says 120 volts I cannot imagine a 12 volt heater producing any warm I doubt I've ever seen one thank you for the kind warning though
@@crowdtastic I am wondering how you electrically connect your heater to your goal zero x. I have tried using a fuse box to the high power anderson port. I can't get sufficient power draw to start the heater.
@@danieltchen6722 My GZ 1500X runs directly to my Blue Sea Systems fuse block. My 12v espar heater pulls its power from that fuse block, along with all my lights, fridge etc. I have no issues. I used freedommango's GZ integration kit to connect everything. It works flawlessly.
~600-750 watts. Its a massive charge. Much faster charge than the GZ fast charge unit. I actually do not have it connect to charge very often... only when I need a big/fast charge.
Great video. You got everything what you need to have electricity. The ability to charge with the car alternator is best option to have always enough juice off grid.
Super glad our integration kit is working out! Great video
Thanks Grant. Keep killing it dude.
Aaron I’m in the same boat as you. Van is for weekend and 1-2 week long trips. I really did not want to do the full battery/inverter/mppt charger/dc-dc charger etc. The Goal Zero (I ordered the 6000x kit from Freedom Vango) exceeds my power needs, safer, takes up less space, way easier to install and cheaper than a full system. I’ll have my electrical system installed in days vs. months.
That's awesome Steve. As I stated, the 1500X is all I need but there is value in going bigger. The 6000x is unstoppable!
I know you're there, I can hear you!!!
Love all your videos I’ve watched every single one of them now. I was wondering is that a custom ladder or is there somewhere I could purchase it?
Prime Designs no-drill ladder. It's held up great. I put paint protection film on van before installing the ladder.
Thanks for the video! Do you have solar as well or just power from the alternator? My design is very similar to yours. The biggest power concern is the diesel heater in the winter. However, I don't plan to be on long trips. Mostly weekend stuff. Thanks!
I have a 100w solar that trickle charges the goal zero. On sunny days, it tops off the battery by end of each day. In the winter I use the alternator connection more often. The heater works too well and pulls such little energy, I doubt that will be an issue for you. My fridge on hot summer days is what hits my battery the hardest. I have a dometic 35... but hot summer days also have lots of sun so it's not an issue.
Thanks for sharing!!!
I understand that the cycle life of the Yeti 1500x is only bout 500 cycles. What are your thoughts on this? It seems like if you plan to use it a lot, this might be a problem, that it might only have a few years life.
Great question. I don’t use the battery hard enough to kill it in a few years. Arguably the battery has many more cycles than 500 if you run it in the appropriate mode and utilize trickle charge. I hardly ever run it from 100 to 0, but will if I need it. I’m happy to recycle the battery every 4-5 years considering it’s versatility. If I was living in my van, I’d go bigger.
www.inputmag.com/reviews/goal-zeros-yeti-1500x-is-the-best-solar-generator-for-most-people
That doesn’t necessarily mean the Yeti 1500X won’t be a long-lasting product, though. What the company means by “500 cycles to 80 percent capacity” is that, after 500 full charges and discharges, the battery will have 80 percent capacity left. I spoke to Goal Zero representatives about this, too, and they assured me this estimate was conservative, and that most users could expect “10+” years of service if they didn’t use their units too hard.
@@artemvysotsky6742 Great thanks, good to know!
Been looking for a cover around my 1500x yeti for the winter months in Idaho. What did you have around your battery?
I built my own cover for my 1500x out of some insulation material, similar to a soft cooler. I used it for a month and threw it away. I found that these batteries are so good and heating up or cooler down fast on their own, a cover prevents that from happening. With the cover, my batter would get just as cold overnight and take 3x as long to heat up. I found they perform best with no cover. I rarely pull the battery out. If it super cold and I dont plan to drive it for a few days, I turn the spar heater on.
Thanks for the response! Where did you find your rear wire covers by the back door?
stock mercedes part. lots of people just toss them. @@user-sk9my3mt5k
How is you van in summer? No rear AC as far as I can see. Looks like you may be in CO so air is dry but summer can still be hot especially on the western slope. Thoughts?
Im in UT, so the air is dry but annual temp swings from -5f to 105f. The summer is manageable with window shades and one maxair fan. Fridge works perfectly to keep stuff cold and solar charge is very strong in summer months. I use the awing a lot to keep shade on the van. An AC unit would be nice BUT i tend to seek high elevations so its a waste of power for me to add one.
@@crowdtastic thanks. We lived in CO and recently moved to ME. Which windows did you choose? I am looking at a couple different options and not sure I have seen the configuration you have. Finally, what roof top gear rack did you go with?
@@m00t123 CR Lawrence windows. Love the screen and ability to open with no rain coming in. RB components low profile bars up top.
Hi, I’m looking to use a yeti for a sprinter conversion. Seems to work perfectly! Can you give a bit of detail on the set up you had done?
100w of solar drops down from roof and ties into the 1500x for trickle charge. 1500x connected directly to main vehicle battery via GZ car link module to charge 1500x when solar is not avail. 12v output (anderson plug) from 1500x brings power to my fuse block.
The link is not compatible with the 1500x according to goal zero...do you have a test model or know something you could share? Thanks, cool van
The link is definitely compatible. Ive been using without issue for a month, in cold temps. I have the latest link (Oct 2020) and am awaiting a firmware update to fix a few small issues.
@@crowdtastic when its charging via the van, how many watts does it charge at?
@@apocalypse2941 600-800. Its a massive charge.
The link is absolutely compatible. We work with goal zero directly to engineer the kit he is using from us to do the integration. There are issues with the firmware of the old link unit in installations other than how we do it. However, with a firmware update, it's the same as current ones.
Hey there folks, anyone have ideas on how to best access the Goal Zero? The app is cumbersome and doesnt always work, I would hate to have to open the bench every time I have to turn on the inverter. Any ideas? Has anyone added an external battery monitor, or connected with it via app on an old ipad?
i use this app without issue, but not over wifi, over bluetooth.
How did you keep the Goal Zero warm enough? It says it won't charge if it's below freezing (32). Do you have the unit wrapped in a soft side cooler?
The GZ does get too cold to charge if I dont run the heater a few times a week. If the van sits in cold for a week, ill pull the GZ out and bring into house. It does not take long to warm up and accept a charge. Ive never had a problem as im always topping the battery off with a charge. I would not have gone with a GZ if I did not have a good heater.
Which overhead headliner shelf did you install?
RB Components. I like it because it has no branding or other features some people seem to want but I don't. Clean low profile.
goal zero yeti 6000x lithium portable power station test it out
What wheels and tires did you put on your van any rubbing issues.
265/75/R17 BFG AT KO2's. Black Rhino Warlords. I actually do have a bit of rubbing on vancompass shocks when in full turn over a bump. Installing spacers very soon.
What model heater are you running off the yeti?
Espar S2 D2l 12v
How did you connect the espar? Are you using the Anderson connections?
No. The Espar gets power from the fuse block which is powered by the GZ 1500x. Espar has a install manual in english that is really helpful for the install.
@@crowdtastic which fuse block and breaker panel are you using on your GZ? please post link if possible thanks!
@@jakepark5934 www.bluesea.com/products/5026/ST_Blade_Fuse_Block_-_12_Circuits_with_Negative_Bus_and_Cover
@@jakepark5934 www.amazon.com/Blue-Sea-Systems-Circuit-Breakers/dp/B005BI5466/ref=asc_df_B005BI50RY/?tag=&linkCode=df0&hvadid=309819400004&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17729575813366835753&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9060571&hvtargid=pla-493638391353&ref=&adgrpid=60510211606&th=1
Would this power a space heater? I think they are 1500W however I am not certain
it will power any 12v heater, but i do not recommend a space heater in a van. be careful with what you do here and if its propane, please have a strong air circulation and venting.
@@crowdtastic Aaron my space heater says 120 volts I cannot imagine a 12 volt heater producing any warm I doubt I've ever seen one thank you for the kind warning though
@@insightandintuition276 www.amazon.com/Portable-Heating-Windshield-Defrost-Defogger/dp/B08RSKLKNW/ref=asc_df_B08RSKLKNW/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=494913743913&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=15120767812659408346&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9029758&hvtargid=pla-1161537349866&psc=1
Hey, I'm wondering what connections are used to power your heater?
Not sure what you are asking here. My Goal Zero powers my heater. Heather has install instructions that come with it.
@@crowdtastic I am wondering how you electrically connect your heater to your goal zero x. I have tried using a fuse box to the high power anderson port. I can't get sufficient power draw to start the heater.
@@danieltchen6722 My GZ 1500X runs directly to my Blue Sea Systems fuse block. My 12v espar heater pulls its power from that fuse block, along with all my lights, fridge etc. I have no issues. I used freedommango's GZ integration kit to connect everything. It works flawlessly.
What voltage do you have from the panels? 12 or 24v system?
12v
~600-750 watts. Its a massive charge. Much faster charge than the GZ fast charge unit. I actually do not have it connect to charge very often... only when I need a big/fast charge.
this whole system is a 12v.
Get some more blankets dude.
just wait a bit you will be regret !!! goal zero suck !
Tanks fur yur insite.
what do you have?
1500 X. I’m end up going with all in one MMP 1012-ms from watts24/7