Charge Your Goal Zero Yeti 1000, 1400 Or 3000 With Compatible Solar Panels
The Goal Zero Yeti 1000, 1400, and No products found. are three power stations that use the same solar charge controllers. This means that a solar panel that is compatible with one of them is compatible with all of them.
Goal Zero doesn’t include the MPPT solar charge controller with the Yeti 1000 and 1400, but it’s included with the 3000. It makes charging with solar panels much more efficient and I recommend purchasing it if you plan on using solar panels often with your Yeti.
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.
Some of them require the use of an adapter since most larger solar panels come with MC4 connectors. I will talk more about the adapter below the table, but basically, this is the one you need to use the 8mm input (click to view on Amazon), and this is the one you need to use the Anderson Powerpole input.
Solar Panels Compatible With Yeti 1000/1400/3000 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
If the solar panel you’ve chosen has MC4 connectors with a positive male and a negative female connector (each panel with MC4 connectors above is wired this way), you need to use one of the adapters down below.
MC4 to 8mm Adapter
MC4 to Anderson Powerpole
iGreely MC4 to Anderson Powerpole
Connect Two Solar Panels In Parallel For More Amps
You can combine two compatible panels to double the amperage. The way it’s done is with a parallel connection, which will keep the voltage the same but double the amperage. Do not wire solar panels in series and connect them to the Goal Zero Yeti!
You also need to make sure that the wires and connectors used can handle the amperages that your panels are going to output.
To do a parallel connection, we use MC4 Y branch adapters.
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 using this wire size calculator to figure out what wire gauge you need depending on how many solar panels you have and the total distance of your wires (with extension cables included).
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 amperage limits and power loss. If you have at least two panels, you should use a lower wire gauge than 16.
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
Which Charge Controller On The Goal Zero Yeti 3000 Is The MPPT?
The charge controller on the right, which is the only one you can see if you lift the lid up. The PWM charge controller is built-in so you can’t see it.
You can remove the MPPT charge controller and install the Link Expansion Module if you want to charge the Yeti with an alternator in a vehicle or connect more batteries.
Do These Solar Panels Work With The Goal Zero Yeti 400 And 1250?
Yes, as long as you stay within the voltage rating they will charge the Yeti 400 and Yeti 1250 (non-lithium) as well. They use the same 8mm port.
What Is The Maximum Number Of Solar Panels I Can Connect?
Goal Zero recommends connecting a maximum of 400W of solar to their solar charge controllers, so 800W of solar panels in total if you have both the PWM and MPPT charge controller.
When it comes to the actual maximum input wattage, the PWM charge controller can handle 360W and the MPPT 325W.
Can I Charge Other Power Stations With These Panels?
There are other power stations that use the 8mm and Anderson Powerpole 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.
The charge controller needs to be able to read the battery voltage, so if there is another charge controller in-between it will get confused. You might see some input watts, but it won’t be much, and it’s not recommended.
Should I Use The 8mm Or Anderson Powerpole On The Goal Zero Yeti?
If you’re connecting more than 150W of solar panels, use the Anderson Powerpole.
There is no difference in charging efficiency if you’re using less than 150W of solar panels with either. It’s more important that you use the MPPT charge controller ports.
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 1000 – 15 hours
Yeti 1400 – 20 hours
Yeti 3000 – 44 hours
Can I Combine Two Boulder 100 Solar Panels?
Yes, you can use an 8mm combiner to do that. It has an Anderson Powerpole on the other end of it since the 8mm port on the Yeti can only handle up to 150W per 8mm port.
Please leave a comment down below if you have any questions that haven’t been answered.
Hi Jesse,
I’m new to all this but just pre purchased the Yeti 6000x due out soon. My question is this… I believe it can accept 600W through solar panels… I believe the Goal Zero panel are way over priced… (Interested if you agree.). That said… I was looking on Amazon and found Rich Brand 200 Watt Solar Panels.. Was going to buy 3 to get the 600W for faster solar charging. I believe these panels are all MC4. They offer a 12V version for 10 bucks more I saw they had a 24V version as well..(that says it’ll also work with 12V.). Which would be better to buy for faster/more efficient charging… the 24?
Finally… If I want to string the 3 MC4 panels together to run into the anderson charge outlet on the Yeti… Do I need Y connectors or something? It’s all very overwhelming… so any expert advice from you would be appreciated!
Thanks,
Mike
Hey Mike, sorry for the late reply.
Yes, Goal Zero panels are spendy, and there are more affordable panels that are very similar. Goal Zero panels don’t perform any better than most alternatives as long as you’re looking at solid monocrystalline panels. You should use 12V panels with the Yetis.
I found the Rich Solar 200W, are these the ones you’re looking at? You can combine several of these to charge your Yeti 6000X. You are going to need an MC4 Y branch to do this, which is this one for two panels, this one for three panels, or this one for four panels.
Then you would connect the MC4 Y branch/extension cables to the MC4 To Anderson adapter and plug it into the Yeti.
Let me know if you have any questions.
Jesse
Hi Jesse,
Quick question, can you use ROCKPALS Portable Solar Panel 200W/18V/36V with GOAL ZERO YETI 1000X and would I need anything extra with it?
Hi,
If this is the Rockpals 200W panel you’re looking at, it should work right out of the box with the Yeti 1000X since it has an 8mm connector. You can use the 36V output.
Hi
I found the answer in other seciton its 800 watts !!
Thanks again for information !!
Drew
Hi Drew,
Yes, if you have the Goal Zero MPPT Module (click to view on Amazon) installed you it will handle up to 800W in total.