Get the Reliable Goal Zero Yeti 400 Portable Power Station for Your Ultimate Convenience

9 Total Score
Go for it!

It is a more versatile battery than the standard ones because it comes with a preference for multi-input and multi-output usage. However, some users may argue that the machine is too costly. The bottom line is that the Goal Zero Yeti 400 portable power station is surely reliable and well worth its price. This is because it provides reliable power. For this reason, you are guaranteed to worry less about black outs if you own one of these devices.

Battery Capacity
9
Warranty
9
Price
8.5
User Rating: 5 (5 votes)

Do you want to get away for a few days in some remote, faraway place?

Or perhaps you want to go camping in a place that has power issues?

If so, you’ll need a perfect backup power plan.

That is precisely where the Goal Zero Yeti 400 portable power station comes into play.

The Goal Zero Yeti 400 is a one-stop portable power solution that can keep your smartphone, tablet, laptop and other small electrical appliances charged for days on end.

Also, once purchased, setting up this portable power station is very easy. You just need to plug it into a power source and charge it up.

Limited Functionality

It takes some time to charge to full capacity but worry not; you can still draw power from it while it is charging.

Battery generators may not be superior to gas generators since they have a limited functionality. But when it comes to travel and charging your personal devices, battery generators are the best.

Well, is the Goal Zero Yeti 400 portable power station really worth its price?

Here are some few facts you need to know about it that will help you make a great purchase decision.

General Overview

Unlike gas generators, portable solar generators like the Yeti 400 offer safe, clean and renewable energy to meet your basic energy needs.

It can be used anytime, in any climate. The full kit comes with a lead-acid battery, power inverter, charge controller and solar panel.

The Yeti 400 sealed lead-acid AGM battery has a peak capacity of 396Wh. It comes with an LCD display that indicates the input and output power.

It is Power-Coded

The battery has 2 USB ports, 2 AC ports and 12V outputs. It can be recharged using a compatible solar panel, direct power source or from your car.

It charges in the shortest time possible when plugged into the wall and takes the longest time when recharged from a car. It works best when charged with Goal Zero Boulder Solar panels and takes about 4-8 hours to fully recharge.

However, the size of the solar panel determines the charging time. Moreover, the solar panel connections are color-coded, making it more user- friendly.

If you want your power station to charge much faster, choose large solar panels. In spite of that, most people choose smaller panels for portability purposes.

The battery generator gives 300 Watts continuous power and a 600 Watts surge. It is best used to charge small devices. Large electrical appliances such as air conditioners and refrigerators require more surge watts than what the Goal Zero Yeti 400 can offer.

Cheap and Replaceable

Nevertheless, it can still power up small televisions, portable refrigerators and CPAP machines. When using the Goal Zero Boulder Solar panels it is possible to extend the run time of the battery generator.

Extending the battery power can also be done by chaining more batteries. However, for the best results, the solar panels joined should have the same output power.

This feature is what makes the Goal Zero Yeti 400 stand out. The internal battery is replaceable and inexpensive.

Excellent Power for CPAP Machine

To prevent the battery from losing power over time it is recommended to keep the battery powered up and ready to use. The company recommends leaving it plugged in constantly as it charges. Another alternative is charging the battery at least once every 3 to 6 months. On the other hand, the power inverter converts direct current to alternating current.

The Goal Zero Yeti 400 comes with an integrated inverter that generates pure sine waves. This inverter cleans the stream of power and prevents wearing out of certain devices such as the CPAP machine.

Other features

The Yeti 400 does not generate any sound thus it is the perfect power source to use when touring ecologically sensitive areas.

It is completely safe to use at home or in your car as it stores power in a safe enclosed lead-acid battery.

The battery has a power management system that prevents it from being overcharged under any circumstances. It achieves this by stopping the flow of power once the battery is fully charged.

The Yeti 400 is compatible with most devices and has power outputs like AC and USB.

Frustrations and limitations

The Yeti 400 generator’s price is a little bit too high and the six months warranty duration should, apparently, be increased.

The battery takes some time to charge hence it will require a little bit of patience. Moreover, there’s an extra cost of buying Goal Zero Boulder solar panels and the 12V charger.

Also, the duration of charge depends with the amount of sun available. Lots of sun means that the battery will charge much faster while less sun means you'll have to wait a bit for the battery to be fully charged.

This machine is not a lightweight unit that is well- designed for portability.

The battery measures 10.2 x 8 x 8 inches thus requires less room for storage. It weighs about 29 pounds. This makes it impossible for one person to carry it around without a hassle.

The battery requires a place large enough for storage. You can therefore, keep it either in your closet or garage.

It is Short-Lasting

The fact that it can only charge a limited number of things is annoying to most users considering the generator’s high price. Further, it doesn’t have enough voltage to power up high-powered electrical appliances such as hair dryers, household refrigerators or space heaters.

This also means the battery can only work with smaller devices such as smart phones and tablets. For many, this is quite disappointing. Another disappointing fact is that the batteries lose power over time and may only serve their purpose for a short time.

Averagely, the generator lasts only for a year or so, therefore be prepared to replace the battery regularly.

Goal Zero Yeti 400 Technical Specifications

BATTERY DETAILS
  • Cell Type: AGM Lead-Acid
  • Peak Capacity: 396Wh (12V, 33Ah)
  • Lifecycles: hundreds of cycles
  • Shelf-Life: Keep plugged in, or charge every 3-6 months
  • Fuses: none
  • Management System: Charging and low-battery protection built-in
PORTS
  • USB port (output): 5V, up to 2.1A (10W max) regulated
  • 6mm port (output, 6mm, green, hexagon): 12V, up to 10A (120W max)
  • 12V car port (output): 12V, up to 10A (120W max)
  • AC inverter (output, 60Hz, pure sine wave): 110V, 2.6A (300W continuous, 600W surge max)
  • Power Pole Chaining Port: 12V, up to 33A (400W max)
  • Charging Port (input, 8mm, blue, circle): 14-29V, up to 10A (120W max)
GENERAL
  • Product SKU: 23000
  • Chainable: Yes
  • Weight: 29 lbs (13.2 kg)
  • Dimensions: 10.25 x 8 x 8 in (26 x 20.3 x 20.3 cm)
  • Operating Usage Temp: 32-104 F (0-40 C)
  • Certs: CE, FCC, ROHS
  • Warranty: 6 months

Goal Zero Yeti 400 Official Video

Conclusion

Although it can’t power up your entire home, the Yeti 400 is certainly built for those who want a portable power station with modern features.

It is a more versatile battery than the standard ones because it comes with a preference for multi-input and multi-output usage.

However, some users may argue that the machine is too costly. The bottom line is that the Goal Zero Yeti 400 portable power station is surely reliable and well worth its price.

This is because it provides reliable power.

For this reason, you are guaranteed to worry less about black outs if you own one of these devices.

Go for it!

Alexey P. , Qualified Electrician and Website Founder
Alexey P. , Qualified Electrician and Website Founder

My name is Alexey P. I was born in Poland but later moved to the USA in 1998. As a well-qualified and fairly experienced electrician, I love working with DIY projects. As a result of my professional training in the field of electrical engineering, I am well versed with the key elements of the trade. I am generally knowledgeable with all inspecting codes and important regulations governing electrical components and repair. I presently live in Dover, Delaware, USA. Want to know a little about my life outside work? It is no wonder. If you encounter any challenges with your portable generator while on that camping expedition, you can count on me to help deal with that decisively. I love life. I love people. And yes, I love generators, of course!

1 Comment
  1. Can I connect a Jupiter inverter to a Yeti 400 for added plug/power? Will I damage either one?

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