Charge Your Goal Zero Yeti 200X Or 500X With Compatible Solar Panels
The Goal Zero Yeti 200X and 500X are two new power stations from Goal Zero. Both of them have an 8mm input, so even though the charge controllers are slightly different on the inside, you can use the same panels with both.
Related Post: 5 Ways To Charge A Goal Zero Yeti Faster
What you need to think about when connecting solar panels to these power stations is to not exceed 22V Vmp. Each of the panels I am recommending down below is below 22V and directly compatible.
The input on the Yeti 200X and 500X is an 8mm port. On the Yeti 200X, the 8mm port can input up to 7A (100W) and on the Yeti 500X it can handle up to 10A (120W).
This doesn’t mean that you can’t connect a 120W solar panel to the Yeti 200X, it just means that it will limit the input watts.
You can max out the input watts by using larger panels than what the port can handle at most. As long as you don’t exceed the voltage, you’ll be ok.
Some of the panels in the table below have MC4 connectors, so to connect it to the Yeti you’re going to need an adapter like this (click to view on Amazon).
Solar Panels Compatible With Yeti 200X And 500X Listed And Compared
Here are a couple of solar panels I recommend for the Yeti power stations. Note that the panels with a green checkmark next to “Requires Additional Adapter” will also require the purchase of the adapter I linked to above and will talk more about down below.
Note: Scroll left/right on small screens to view all products in the table.
The Adapter You Need To Connect MC4 Solar Panels To Goal Zero Yeti
Each of the solar panels above that requires the additional adapter is wired the same way. They have a positive male connector and a negative female connector. That makes them compatible with the specific adapter below.
MC4 to 8mm Adapter
If you’re buying a similar adapter from a different listing, make sure that the female connector on the adapter is positive. Unless your solar panel has a negative male connector, then you need an adapter that looks the opposite way.
Connect Two Solar Panels In Parallel For More Amps
To connect two panels to the Yeti 200X or 500X, we need to do a parallel connection. This means that you connect the positive wires together, then the negative wires together separately. We want a parallel connection since that will double the amperage but keep the voltage the same.
Do not connect two or more panels in series.
To do a parallel connection, we use MC4 Y branch adapters.
Remember that the max input of the Yeti 200X is 100W, and the 500X is 120W. So it would be a waste to connect more than what is required to max out the input on either of them.
If I wanted to use two solar panels with the Yeti 200X, I would go for two Newpowa 70W solar panels that would max out the input wattage during peak sun hours of the day.
If I had the Yeti 500X, I would go with two Renogy 80W solar panels.
Extension Cables
I use MC4 extension cables, the WindyNation extension cables. These are sold in pair and come in different lengths and wire gauges. I recommend 10 AWG when using 20 feet or more. The lower the gauge the better.
WindyNation MC4 Extension cables
If you would rather use an 8mm extension cable, Goal Zero sells a 15ft 8mm extension cable. There is also a 30ft option available, but I don’t recommend it due to the power loss.
Goal Zero 15ft 8mm Extension Cable
It’s easier to use the 8mm extension cable since it’s a single cable instead of two like the WindyNation that has two separate wires for positive and negative currents.
I have taped my WindyNation cables together with electrical tape every 10 inches or so to keep the wires together.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Maximum Number Of Solar Panels I Can Connect?
The Yeti 200X can handle 100W input and the 500X can handle 120W input, so I wouldn’t connect more than 200W of solar panels to either of them.
Can I Charge Other Power Stations With These Panels?
There are other power stations that use the 8mm port, but not all of them do. If you’re wondering about a specific power station, please leave a comment and let me know which one you have.
Can I Connect A Solar Panel That Has A Charge Controller?
No, since the Goal Zero Yeti power stations have charge controllers built-in, you shouldn’t use a solar panel with an additional charge controller.
How Long Will It Take To Charge The Yeti With Solar Panels?
A 100W panel generates about 70-80W, so here is how long it would take with a single 100W panel.
Yeti 200X – 3 hours
Yeti 500X – 8 hours
Can I Combine Two Boulder 100 Solar Panels?
No, since there is only a single 8mm port on the Yeti 200X and 500X, you can’t combine two Boulder 100.
Please leave a comment down below if you have any questions that haven’t been answered.
Good luck if you need any customer support. I spent $3 000.00 with GoalZero and they don’t even have the decency to respond to any of my four requests starting back in June 5th. Worst Customer Service than anyone. Very sad
Sorry to hear that, Roy. Let me know if there are any issues I could possibly help with.
Jesse
I have a YETI 200 X and a THUNDERBOLT SOLAR 100 Watt Solar Panel Briefcase. So far the solar panel does not seem to have charged the YETI at all. Am I doing something wrong or are these two units just not compatable?l
Lee
Hi,
It is technically compatible but the SAE to 8mm adapter included with the panel might not work because not all 8mm connectors are compatible with each other.
What you can do is buy a different SAE to 8mm adapter (click to view on Amazon). According to some reviews, it works with Goal Zero 8mm inputs.
But before you do that, if you happen to have a multimeter, you should test the solar panel wires to make sure the problem isn’t the panel itself.
Hi Jesse,
Do you know if the Jackery 100W panels are compatible with the 500x? I read a review on Amazon from 2021 that said it was if you modified the plug on the solar panel slightly. Just wondering if that is still the case or if there is a converter plug maybe? You seem to know more than the rest of the internet. 😉
Thanks!
Paul
Hi,
It’s technically compatible but yes, it will likely require some modifications to the 8mm adapter. I think all you have to do is slice off part of the case/cover on the connector.