GOAL ZERO YETI 3000X For Van Life + Three Charging Options Broken Down //Ep. 39 DIY VAN BUILD

I have broken the video into sections-
0:00 Intro
1:14 What's New W/ Yeti X
4:18 Real World Usage
12:54 AC Wall Charging
16:00 Solar Charging
19:39 Alternator Charging W/ Yeti Link
28:22 Usage In the Van
29:29 Closing
In this episode of our van build series I run down the newest addition to our van- the ‪@goalzero‬ Yeti 3000x. This was an upgrade I have been excited to make for a very long time! I open by talking about what is new with the Yeti X models, move into real world usage, and finish out the video by talking about the three main ways that we will charge our Power System.
Reach out if you have any questions! If it is helpful I have listed all of the products for our system by category below.
GOAL ZERO POWER SYSTEMS
Yeti 1500x~ www.pjtra.com/t/Qz9KQkJJP0RDS...
Yeti 3000x (Ours)~ www.pntra.com/t/Qz9KQkJJP0RDS...
Yeti 6000x~ www.pntra.com/t/Qz9KQkJJP0RDS...
AC Wall Charging/Shore Power
Yeti 600w Power Supply~ www.pjatr.com/t/Qz9KQkJJP0RDS...
Noco Pass Through for Shore Power~ amzn.to/2QpYYkN
Shore Power Extension Cord~ amzn.to/2C0uQFe
Solar Charging
Renogy Eclipse 100w Solar Panels~ amzn.to/2Z8SqYw
10AWG Solar Wires~ amzn.to/2ZqIsC2
MC4 to Anderson (for this cable you need to know the polarity of your solar wires so that the positive and negatives are correct when plugging into your Goal Zero)~ amzn.to/3e8QsPh
Branch Connectors~ amzn.to/3eY13fj
MC4 Connector~ amzn.to/3gqCKa5
MC4 Tool~ amzn.to/2ZANsnB
MC4 Crimp Tool~ amzn.to/2D5JdZz
Scanstrut Deck Seal~ amzn.to/2ZqTvev
Alternator Charging/Car Charging Kit~
www.pjatr.com/t/TUJGRU1NSEJHR...
Our General Electrical Products
Anderson to Ring Terminal~ amzn.to/3agzsFU
Blue Sea Systems Fuse Block~ amzn.to/3ayYtfF
Blade Fuses~ amzn.to/32kJSzN
14/2 AWG Ancor Wire~ amzn.to/38mAzSe
Spade Connectors Male~ amzn.to/3gg7daF
Spade Connectors Female~ amzn.to/3dNFlsL
Stepdown (Butt) Connectors~ amzn.to/2BXWyCy
Crimp Tool~ amzn.to/31B7MYM
Wire Stripper~ amzn.to/2VA3o8z
Screw Driver~amzn.to/2YNkO3u
Wirer Cutter~ amzn.to/2D0SK4f
SPST Switch~ amzn.to/2YCDmmI
Dimmer Switch~ amzn.to/3i5Rug7
Overhead LED Lights~amzn.to/38dGZD9
Reading Lights~ amzn.to/2Bmgnnk
Extension Cords~ amzn.to/3ilgAHZ
Wire Loom 1"~ amzn.to/31DKMrV
Wire Loom 1/2"~ amzn.to/3dKVQpC
For more of the products we used, check out our website~ www.trailvagabonds.com/
Show your support on Patreon~ / trailvagabonds
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Buy Havelock Wool~ havelockwool.refr.cc/trailv
Shop Goal Zero Products~
Follow us on Instagram! #vanlife #goalzero#vanbuild
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*We are a participant in the Amazon Associates Program, eBay Partner Network, as well as additional affiliate programs designed to provide a means for us to earn a small percentage of sales by linking to Amazon.com, eBay, and other websites. Some of the links listed above are affiliate links. We appreciate your support!

[@Trailvagabonds]

We finally upgraded our GOAL ZERO to a Yeti 3000x! If you have any questions, please leave a comment below and I will be sure to answer them! If there are other things you are interested in knowing about our set up, let me know that too and I can do a future video answering your questions. Hope you have a great weekend!

[@ryankrol]

Hi, I recently hooked up my 3000x to my Promaster alternator. It was working great. Just like your video. But within a day it stopped working. 0 input. All connections are good. Any troubleshooting ideas? Goal Zero is sending a new link, but I’m skeptical that will help. Thanks!

[@Trailvagabonds]

@@ryankrol Hey Ryan! My initial thoughts would be a connection being loose but if you've checked those I doubt that would be the problem. Do you have the kit with the plastic connectors that keep everything together? My next thought is have you run firmware updates for both the 3000x and the yeti link? Sometimes the updates, if not done to the same firmware releases can play against each other funny. If you've done that as well my next hope would be that a new kit will do the trick. Hopefully those couple things help. If I can do any more troubleshooting with you once you've received the new one and it's not working, reach out to us on Instagram or email 👍🏼Goodluck and I hope it ends up working out! 🙌🏻

[@gabentg]

We have a 2003 Ford van we are converting to a camper van. Got a good deal from Costco on the 3000x before last Christmas. getting ready to install it in the van. What a super helpful video. I do need to understand how to hook up 12V components. We have a RECPRO fridge, van and puck lights that need to be hooked up. As far as AC I thought you wood hook up extension cords.

[@Trailvagabonds]

@@gabentg hey there! Glad the video can be helpful. We feed a 12v fuse block out of the Goal Zero High Power Port. Then run wiring from the block to our 12v accessories. We used this fuse block~ amzn.to/3L9NwB2 and this Anderson to Ring wire~ amzn.to/37NOBjj We have a couple other electrical videos on our channel if they can be helpful to you. Let me know if you have other questions 🙌🏻

[@gabentg]

@@Trailvagabonds Thanks so much for your prompt response. I just watched the two electrical videos. Do you have a video on how you wired the AC outlets?

[@edisonpendelton1417]

*I use this solar **Generater.Systems** at work. The building is 80 years old so there’s not a lot of electrical outlets. I use it for lights, fans, charge phones etc. works great !*

[@Trailvagabonds]

It really depends. What type of battery? 12v? Generically I would say you would probably need 800 watts of solar to generate enough to fill a 200Ah battery from empty in 5 hours. But there are a lot of different factors

[@beckyd6050]

Best video I seen explaining a charger! 4 this old 65 little lady that needs one! Thank u, thank u❤️🦮🙏

[@Trailvagabonds]

Goal Zero is a great option. They just release updated power stations with better batteries, faster charging options, and more powering options. Definitely a company worth checking out for their products

[@PeaceChanel]

Thank You Everybody for All that you are doing for our Planet Earth.... Peace.. Shalom.. Salam.. Namaste .. 🙏🏻 😊 🌈 ✌ 🌷 ☮ ❤🕊

[@mrsandman818]

Dude, this was such a comprehensive video on the goal zero 3000. You clearly know a lot about it and have put in a lot of work to put out a video that is this informative. Thank you for all the work you put into this.

[@Trailvagabonds]

Thanks so much! I think Goal Zero smashed it out of the park with the X models! I hope the video can be helpful to you! Let me know if you have any questions 🙌🏻

[@daisyv5038]

Dit-to-the-O! As a novice, I was actually able to follow all your mathery until it came to the link kit. My brain powered down at that point and waited for some more doggo cameos! Hahaha. But this legit armed me with some super power knowledge and I'm feeling very girl-boss now! Muchas gracias amigo! 👏🏾 👏🏾 👏🏾 👏🏾 👏🏾

[@Trailvagabonds]

@@daisyv5038 thank you! Glad to be helpful! I plan to film another video on the link car charging kit soon. We just moved cross country so I haven't had time to finish the update just yet. Hoping to do so soon and will share more in depth info on it 👍🏼Reach out if you have any questions

[@daisyv5038]

@@Trailvagabonds Sweet! I have to study up more to grasp all this. Now I'm thinking about replacing my van alternator for future planning purposes. That's a gift...to be able to think and plan ahead like this because of what I learned from your bazooka helpful clips. Can you even handle all the good karma??? 😉

[@Trailvagabonds]

It's definitely great to hear we are putting out worthwhile content! 😊 If you hadn't seen them, we do have 2 episodes about our electrical too on our channel

[@WhoIsJonHarris]

This video is by far the MOST informative video on battery/solar use I’ve ever watched. All the appliance use and charging options were explained as thorough as possible. The 12v output options, the car battery charging attachment, solar panel angle charging differences. So much was covered and I feel fully confident this setup will be more than enough for my needs. Great video.

[@Trailvagabonds]

Thank you so much for your comment! It sure means a lot to hear your feedback! 😊 We have been very happy with the 3000x! It has far exceeded our needs so far. Let me know if you have any questions!🙌🏻

[@saundz8791]

Would this be able to move a camper van 12v AC unit? If it's able to do so which would you recommend?

[@Trailvagabonds]

Most 12v units pull 75-100 amps and the Goal Zero line has a max 12v output of 30 amps from the HPP. Options with an AC cord could work if within the inverters specs but you still don't have a battery bank larger enough for long periods of cooling. It's usually always recommended to be hooked up to shore power when running an AC and the 12v units though sounding energy efficient are usually no different (having tens of thousands of dollars to throw at batteries could get you a bank that would run one). I maybe haven't done enough research on AC units to know if there is something better out there however. My suggestion would be have shore power that could both charger the GZ and feed an AC when at a campsite. For off grid use you'd be hard pressed to find an option that would be worth it

[@saundz8791]

@@Trailvagabonds thanks for the feedback. I was looking at the Domatic RTX 2000 from videos I have seen they recommend to run the unit with a 500+ amp hour capacity and in eco mode they say it pulls less then 30amps if I'm not mistaken. I know little about battery banks and solar so can't really say much else. I appreciate your response and the quality of your content this video really helped so much. I'm looking to build a mini camper van it being a Transit Connect, Promaster City or NV200.

[@Trailvagabonds]

@@saundz8791 the 6000x has 556 amp hours and I just looked up the product page for the AC and it does say 19a in eco mode but that's in a 24 v system, not 12v which GZ outputs. You could get in contact with their support to see if there is a 12v option/ability. Otherwise you'd have to make a diy system and put batteries in series to make a 24v system

[@leewinter28]

Amazing video on what Goal Zero Yeti is capable of! The work you have in the van is stellar. Great review and great van! Thanks for such a comprehensive video!

[@Trailvagabonds]

Awe, thank you! It means a lot to hear! I hope the vids can be helpful to you. All the best in your build! 🙌🏻

[@SocalHandyDandyDad]

Awesome video thank you for actually caring about educating us more than trying to be cool, Refreshing to see a real human!

[@Trailvagabonds]

Thank you for your comment! I hope the video can be helpful in your research. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask

[@dcell922]

Hey, you got it!!! Welcome to the 3000X club.

[@Trailvagabonds]

Woot! So exciting! And I feel like with how long we used the small 400 unit, this is luxurious! 😂

[@rimasmeleshyus4787]

One of the best on the market gold zero, many thanks

[@peggybreaux8973]

Just wanted to add. I am over 70, this should be up on gold zero. Best video I have seen. I am planning on the 6000 for our house because of hurricanes. My smaller 400 was not enough to run our large refrigerators. We have a double. But the 400 keeped a fan an charged phones for everyone. It charged backup small phone battery banks. Thanks again. Will be back if I have more questions.

[@Trailvagabonds]

Great choice! You won't be disappointed, it will give you so much ability! We have the 3000 and it's been ample for us, the 6000 will be wonderful! Reach out if you have questions😊

[@peggybreaux8973]

@@Trailvagabonds thanks, will do

[@Trailvagabonds]

@@peggybreaux8973 and thank you! Your comment was very kind! 😊

[@NathanMillerVisuals]

Best video for this unit! My parents have one for power outages and it’s wonderful. I have had the 400 AGM for like 7 years for my truck when camping or in the field and the inverter is having problems so I got a 1000x on the way! Very excited!

[@Trailvagabonds]

Congrats! We used the 400 agm for about a year. Goal Zero did awesome making the x models. I think the 1000 is a great size, you'll be very happy with it!

[@peggyclemons1039]

Great explanation and orientation to yeti 3000

[@TruthSeekersChannel]

So far this one is one the best I saw on KZbin!

[@peggybreaux8973]

Excellent video. Thanks I have the 400 gold zero an getting ready to upgrade.

[@normanbrennan7975]

all good

[@mikeflack555]

Great video. Actually gives complete information and explanations. Well done.

[@Trailvagabonds]

I'm glad to hear it can be helpful! Let me know if you have any questions and I can try to help. Cheers!

[@vanomadcyclist3474]

Great job as always Matt. 😊

[@Trailvagabonds]

Thank you! 😊

[@curtisjohnson4886]

Hey Matt you gave me some information awhile back I converted my van into a mobile barber shop. So far so good but I have power issues due to what I am using isn’t enough. I would’ve got the goal zero but man it’s so expensive but I am sure it’s worth it. Glad to see that your channel is doing well. Always look forward to your videos keep up the great work.

[@Trailvagabonds]

Hey! Good to hear from you! Of course I remember you. I'm sorry to hear you have had power issues. Do you plan on trying something new or supplementing power in some way? Thanks for reaching out! All the best!

[@danharvey61]

Great review. Thanks!

[@Trailvagabonds]

Thank you! I hope it was helpful to you. If you have questions, let me know and I can try to help

[@DD-sn4iz]

I usually get deterred by over 15 mins videos, but this turns out to be a very informative yet entertaining video, good job and thanks.

[@Trailvagabonds]

I'm glad you think so and commented! It means a lot to me to hear. I hope it can be helpful to you. Let me know if you have any questions 🙌🏻

[@DD-sn4iz]

@@Trailvagabonds Hi thank you for the reply, I do have a question, is there a way to find out how many charge cycles the battery has been through? there is one used for sale nearby that I'm interested in, do you know anything to look out for a used 3000x? appreciated.

[@Trailvagabonds]

I'm not sure of a way to see the charge cycles. Maybe a quick call to Goal Zero customer service. They have always been pleasant and very helpful when I've called them. If it were me I would look for any dings on the unit. I'd also maybe see if you could spend some using it to see if the battery discharges faster than expected. You could do the rough math plugging something in and estimating what percentage of the battery would drop over the hour. If it's a much larger percentage out I'd be leary. Honestly they are a great product though and I'm sure if it were a lemon GZ would probably hook you up

[@Knowfere]

Excellent presentation. Thank you!

[@Trailvagabonds]

Thank you!😊 I hope it can be helpful! 🙌🏻

[@gjonesii]

Amazingly informative video! Thanks so much!

[@Trailvagabonds]

Thank you! 😊 I hope it can be helpful! Reach out if you have any questions 🙌🏻

[@LucyandtheScamp]

Love the pups and that the one has a wheel chair. Did that for my old pup.

[@Trailvagabonds]

Love, the wheelchair puppy has partially learned to walk again! She's living her best life! 😊 I'm glad to hear you did that for your old pup, you're a Saint!

[@razahassan811]

Great charging power!

[@Trailvagabonds]

It’s definitely been ample for us. I know many people who make DIY systems can get batteries to charge a little faster but I think they have a great product that does everything we need for our van

[@donaldtrumpismypresident1132]

Hi Matt, very nice Job. Thank you so much. Andy from Germany

[@Trailvagabonds]

I'm glad it could be helpful. Thank you for letting me know!

[@Spinalcell]

great detail and explanation, ty very much for the time to show all of this.

[@Trailvagabonds]

No problem, I hope it was helpful! All the best! 😊

[@Ninjamstrboy]

Good job on this video! and Thank you!

[@Trailvagabonds]

I hope it could be helpful! Let me know if you have questions on anything 🙌🏻

[@tamikanguyen4474]

Very helpful. Thanks

[@Trailvagabonds]

Glad to hear it! All the best!

[@JB-kd5uv]

Amazing info! Only realized recently that you were also the guy now working with Trent and Allie. Love your content - hope you haven’t stopped!!

[@Trailvagabonds]

Thanks! Sadly we've taken a step back from our channel while getting the business up and running. We hope to start posting more content in the near future once we have our feet under us a little more. Moving across country was a big undertaking. Thanks for continuing to support us, hope to have more out soon! 😊

[@johnkarau1915]

Excellent review! Subscribed

[@Trailvagabonds]

Thank you! I hope you find our channel helpful! 😊

[@kaneshap.6146]

This was so helpful! This totally sold me. Thank you!

[@Trailvagabonds]

Glad I could be helpful! Let me know if you have any questions I could help answer 😊

[@MacSociety]

Great video. Thanks!

[@Trailvagabonds]

Glad to hear it! All the best! 🙌🏻

[@michael37539]

Great information, now I am ready to buy one. Thank you my friend.

[@Trailvagabonds]

Glad to help! All the best! Reach out if you have questions 🙌🏻

[@lynchvanderpoel8909]

Great video mate

[@Trailvagabonds]

Thank you! Hope it was helpful 🙌🏼

[@bobtausworthe]

Awesome video. I think it answers most of my questions. It looks like the only thing that's missing is an automatic transfer switch that would switch the outputs to shore power and bypass battery/inverter/converter when hooked up to external 110vac to save recharge cycles on battery. Not hard to add externally. Thanks

[@Trailvagabonds]

Good idea. It would be a bit difficult because of the amount of 12v items most people have in a van. You'd need to make sure to step down your voltage to run those items if they aren't coming out of the Goal Zero 12v. But it's a brilliant idea to save on cycles

[@ChimneyMan27]

This is a fantastic video, thank you for the effort in putting it together.

[@Trailvagabonds]

Thanks for saying so! Hope it can be helpful. Let me know if you have any questions 🙌🏻

[@ChimneyMan27]

@@Trailvagabonds I guess after this video does it work as well as it was designed? Any flaws?

[@Trailvagabonds]

@@ChimneyMan27 definitely has been great. We've found the 3000x may even be overkill for our basic needs so far. I honestly think with our charging options, the 1500x maybe the sweet spot

[@jamesmazurstudios]

Great video. Thank you.

[@Trailvagabonds]

Thanks for saying so! Let me know if you ever have questions 🙌🏻

[@jamesmazurstudios]

@@Trailvagabonds A quick question: Could you have got away with using the 1500X or do you find that the 3000X is truly needed for your use?

[@Trailvagabonds]

@@jamesmazurstudios for our personal use, I think the 1500x would be the perfect size. We rarely go below 85% with the 3000x. We are still conscious about our electrical use since we used to have a 400 agm Goal Zero unit. That might play into it partially. We have been very happy with the 3000x though, especially peace of mind if it were cloudy for a few days. If we had sized down though I think we would have still been happy with the choice

[@giveyandmyla1859]

Excellent and very well explained video. Great job💪

[@Trailvagabonds]

Thank you! 😊

[@VeganwithSoul]

I just don't know which one I want. I have been looking for over a year, this is helpful. Thanks!

[@Trailvagabonds]

I hope it helps!😊 Good luck with your decision! Reach out if you have questions🙌🏻

[@MrFooChops]

Vegans unite 😎

[@41bluets]

oh my gosh you just saved me hahahah! I have been spending days putting together a system by the incredible folks at far outride but my brain hurts and I'm overwhelmed and the price tag just kept going up and up. So I thought I would just for fun, look into if the yeti is really possible. This video was so helpful! Definitely going to go this route and will be checking out your other videos! Thank you!

[@Trailvagabonds]

Glad this could be helpful to you. We’ve been very happy with the 3000x. The 6000x definitely gives a little more capabilities off grid depending on solar and all that. Great options for sure! Let me know if you end up having questions 🙌🏼

[@41bluets]

@@Trailvagabonds glad to hear it! Just trying to sort it all out now especially w number of solar panels and roof real estate (for a medium roof transit, definitely pushing what I want to accomplish up there. I want to leave space for the dometic ac when I can afford it, bc of my dogs). After all of the maneuvering in my current van (which I just use for camping and travel, low roof basic build) trying to keep it safe and cool w one fan and windows and shade was always a challenge. Question- do your two fans really make a difference? I know you can’t rely on a roof top ac to make it like a cool house, but I feel like it would make life a lot easier! That said, if your two fans make life reasonable camping in the heat… it’s definitely the cheaper option! Also fyi I think your video pic is of max patch?! Ha! One of my fav places. (I live in Asheville)

[@Trailvagabonds]

Max Patch was Katie and my first hike as a couple. The weather was horrid that day haha. We lived in Winston Salem and got to the mountains as much as we could. We’ve since moved to Salt Lake City. Just fyi, a 12v AC pulls too many amps for the Goal Zero to run it. A 120v unit can run but for very little time on the GZ. Having a 120v AC unit that has a direct plug for campgrounds would probably be the best option if you go that route. For the fans, they don’t do great when it’s super humid but still take the edge off. We stayed at the beach in Georgia at 90 degrees over night with near 100% humidity and the fans were the only thing that made it tolerable. Having one over the bed with a window for cross ventilation is smart. I think two is definitely helpful for making more ventilation but humidity isn’t fun to camp in period. Only an AC would really help in that regard but as you said isn’t reasonable to run on a battery bank (unless you have unlimited funds haha).

[@pmus5]

New to the Goalzero World…have the Yeti500X…with 50watt folding solar panels…your segment was very informative helpful and well presented!!!…will continue to look to your other features!…🐿️

[@Trailvagabonds]

Glad it could be informative. Let me know if you have questions. They are powerful little tools to have. Hope it fits your needs!

[@AmsDreamJob]

Thank you so much for this review!!!

[@Trailvagabonds]

I hope it can be helpful to you! 😊

[@AmsDreamJob]

@@Trailvagabonds I'll be sure to use your ref link 👍

[@Trailvagabonds]

@@AmsDreamJob Thank you! Let me know if you have questions on any components

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

You did a top notch job here. I work with this gear daily and have featured some GZ gear on my channel. This is the best I''ve seen. A++ Subbed

[@Trailvagabonds]

Thanks so much! That's high praise and means a lot to hear!😊 We'll give your channel a look as well. Cheers!

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

@@Trailvagabonds it's not as well done as yours, but we have shared interests.

[@Trailvagabonds]

I bet it's great, looking forward to checking it out! 🙌🏻

[@wsimpson53]

Really great video! Explained everything really clearly!!!

[@Trailvagabonds]

I hope it was helpful! Sorry for the late reply, we were traveling. Let me know if you have other questions. I did just respond to one of your other comments too.

[@nancykelm3627]

Nice job with the video.

[@Trailvagabonds]

Thank you! 😊

[@cityoftrees9953]

I don’t have a van or a yeti but I still watched this whole video. Lots of info. Damn near kinda sad I don’t have a van I could travel the country in. And go camping

[@Trailvagabonds]

No wrong way to travel 😉 I use to camp out of the back of a Subaru Outback. You do you and enjoy this beautiful country anyway that works best!🙌🏻 Thanks for watching! Glad you found it entertaining enough to watch the whole video. Cheers!

[@bug512]

Thanks for all the great info. esp the car charging option.

[@Trailvagabonds]

Happy to help! I know when I spoke with Goal Zero getting the recall replacement they said the new Link Car Charging Kit should be available in June. They were making sure to fill recalls first. In case that can be helpful for you. Cheers! 😊

[@bug512]

@@Trailvagabonds It is helpful. Thanks so much.. Great videos !

[@Trailvagabonds]

@@bug512 thanks! 😊

[@falconhead2862]

First time on your channel this was a great video a lot of real world usage.

[@Trailvagabonds]

Thanks for watching! I hope this video and others can be helpful to you. Let me know if you have questions 🙌🏻

[@falconhead2862]

@@Trailvagabonds i have the 1000X and nomad solar coming this week. Will be my starter yeti dont have a van build yet. Really like yours great build!

[@Trailvagabonds]

@@falconhead2862 thank you! Sadly our build has kinda stalled with a big move but it's usable so we get out when we can! I don't think the 1000x will disappoint. It really will just depend on your usage but i think it will be a decent size to start with. We used the 400 agm unit for quite awhile and though it had limitations it worked. The 1000x is a huge step up from that! 😊

[@lordsmobile3262]

Thanks for sharing Nice video 💟💟💟

[@Trailvagabonds]

Thank you! I hope it can be helpful! 🙌🏻

[@michaelhardy8589]

goal zero yeti 6000x portable power station Test it out great 👍

[@Trailvagabonds]

Heck yea! Days of off grid use! I bet it's a crusher! 😎

[@spyghetti]

awesome review, looks like they really built some legit updates.. besides the obvious (MPPT, regulated 12, 30amp, etc).. using the app would be great for management.. I hate that the Bluetti doesn't have an app plus being able to control outputs. Those Eclipse panels are awesome.

[@Trailvagabonds]

Thank you! They seemed to really outdo themselves with the x line. Definitely some hiccups they've had with certain products but it all seems to be ironed out now. I haven't played around with the different battery profiles much but the app does seem to be super useful. When we finish our electrical cabinet, it will be nice to turn things on and off from our phones over reaching in and manually doing it every time. Or for those times we forget and can do it from outside the van. Bluetti is so new that maybe the R&D will be looking to do something similar for their future releases? And yes! I haven been very surprised by the Eclipse panels. I've read complaints about some of Renogys other panels but these are great!

[@christiannepogie5937]

First of all thank you for making the youtube video. I was really excited about the Yeti 6000X when I finally received it around May 2021, I used it for several months and didn't have any issues, until I stopped using it for about 4 months because I am renovating my house and I had to use Solar Panels from Goal Zero also. I been charging my Yeti 6000x for 3 straight days now and it only at 77% full. When I first plug it in to the same power outlet it shows 500W going in and after a minute it will go down to 50W. I also called Goal Zero Technical Support and we trouble shoot it but it turns our that it needs to be replaced with a new one (Hopefully New). The sad part is today is March 2022 and I haven't even paid the Yeti 6000X because I loan it through Affirm. I mean it has 2 years warranty but I just bother me that not even a year of using it, its broken already? I am very careful with it also and only use it for basic stuff in the house because I am afraid that It will stress the battery. What happens if the warranty expires? I will be stuck with a block of useless equipment and make it to a chair probably? I am freaking out really. Did anyone of you ran into this issue? Is there 3rd party where I can buy to extend the warranty? PLEASE HELP! Thank you!

[@Trailvagabonds]

Man I'm sorry to year that happened to you. I haven't run into any issues myself with our unit. We haven't gone long periods without topping ours up. I know the firmware has had charge issues in the past from what I've heard but outside of that I'm not sure. It's a very tough call to put so much money into a product that could become a paperweight like you said. It would be greay of they sold replacement batteries like their agm units. I've always had good vibes from their customer service when I've called so I'm not sure what would happen if it were out of warranty. Maybe there is something they would do especially if it's a regular occurrence. Sorry I don't have advice for you, sounds like a tough situation

[@christiannepogie5937]

@@Trailvagabonds It cost me more than $7k including all accessories and solar panels, I've decided to just sell everything once I receive the new one. Maybe $5,500. I'll just have to take the hit. I'll invest the money for house renovation instead. What do you think?😂

[@TruthSeekersChannel]

@@christiannepogie5937 Good idea!

[@qb682]

This seems like a much better option for simplicity sake at the very least

[@Trailvagabonds]

Definitely has it’s pros and cons, you just have to weigh them to see that it meets your needs. We’ve been very pleased with our setup over the last couple years.

[@neilbennett9485]

Thank you for your feedback. What about the new and trending DC air conditioners?

[@Trailvagabonds]

That is what I touched on with 12v units. The trending DC units on high have too large a power draw. The very popular Dometic RTX 2000 has a draw of 19 amps on eco mode so possibly on low settings you could run it for a bit but higher settings and startup (can pull 60-75 amps to start up) would not be possible so I’d advise against it. I will say the new Goal Zero Pro 4000 has a larger max output but again on max settings it would be too large an output with the Dometic. Maybe there are other A/C units with smaller amp draws but I’m not sure of them. A diy system may be the best option if you need a DC air conditioner and won’t be plugging in

[@mikeq5807]

I have a 3000, no x. Bought it from Goal Zero during their 2019 Memorial Day sale. Unit cost $2300, normally about $3100. Works well, but I prefer the smaller units, I have a 500x, and looking to get another one. I figure $800 would be a fair price to sell the 3000. If you're interested, let me know. Mike Quintal, in Portland, Maine.

[@feed_defend_evolve]

Great review!!! But 212 for your electric gooseneck kettle for your coffee?!?! Gotta try 195-200 max... don't "burn" your coffee my man lol 😆 🤙🏽

[@Trailvagabonds]

🤣🤣🤣 It was a wedding gift, I'm sure there are other similar models for much cheaper on Amazon haha. Glad you liked the review! All the best! 😊

[@anthonyturner1463]

Great channel very informative. How will you be wiring up your outlets to the goal zero? Extension cord with other end cut off and wired in to outlet??

[@Trailvagabonds]

Thank you! Hope they can be helpful to you! Yep that's exactly how I'm doing it. I talk about it in our Shiplap Wall video. It's a simple way to wire outlets. It'll hopefully do the trick for our AC needs

[@urbanarkoverland]

Great vid mate. Slow down in the non skippables 👍🏻

[@Trailvagabonds]

Thank you, hope it's helpful! And sorry, the ads are auto-added by KZbin. I've noticed they have changed their ads in general watching videos myself. More 15 second non-skippables back to back

[@urbanarkoverland]

@@Trailvagabonds ah fair play. The second ad is skippable 👍🏻 great review. Have one on the way. You have given me confidence in my purchase 👍🏻👍🏻

[@Trailvagabonds]

@@urbanarkoverland glad to hear it! Let me know if you have any questions as you get into it once it arrives. All the best! 😊

[@urbanarkoverland]

@@Trailvagabonds cheers pal 👍🏻

[@tonywaddell8414]

Ok--Just starting my van build and thanks for all of your build videos, in particular your upgrade to the Goal Zero 3000x. I have decided to go the same Goal Zero route and have several questions. We plan on using van for intermittent long trips but do not plan on living in the van full time--just 2 to 4 week trips that will incorporate a majority of overnight accommodations in hotels. Did you ever consider the Yeti 6000X or have you ever had an instance where you wished you had purchased the larger unit; the price increase to go for the larger unit seems to be reasonable--double the power for $1800. Another question is how are you going to "clean up" the 110 outlets that are being serviced by extension cords; seems like you will have to unplug one and then plug in another in order to change outlets which seems a bit cumbersome. Again, thank you for your help in getting me started.

[@Trailvagabonds]

Hey Tony! Just saw your support on Patreon! Thank you! Send us an email if you wouldn't mind and we can chat through these questions - trailvagabonds (at) Gmail (dot) com My first thought is the 3000x has been more than we've needed. The 6000x would allow for many days off grid without much worry. I'll definitely have some questions on your plans for charging and all. We'll go more in depth by email if you wouldn't mind 🙌🏻

[@RyanMcdunco]

My dude! You should be getting paid fat checks from goal zero here! Amazing video my friend!!!

[@Trailvagabonds]

Wouldn't that be the day!?

[@ThanksForTheLaugh]

@@Trailvagabonds personally, all those reviewing for swag videos on YT are mostly crap. Oh look it runs a hair dryer for 5 minutes, BUY it NoW!! I think that’s why so many “reviewers” put GZ down.

[@Trailvagabonds]

I'm sure when you have skin in the game and it's a way you make money, propping up products to make a sale can make a "review" video always land on the buy it now side. I have no sponsorship with Goal Zero but have personally felt like they make a quality product. This video was an initial unboxing of sorts video and hope it provides valuable info to those watching. I'll probably put together a honest review as we use it more in our van, especially hitting in things we don't like if we come by them. Thanks for taking the time to watch and reply! 😊

[@ThanksForTheLaugh]

@@Trailvagabonds The world’s oldest profession is a polite term 🙂 Glad I found your channel, Now where is the Merch 😂

[@Trailvagabonds]

Thanks! 😊 I hope you enjoy what we put out! As for merch, we do have stickers made that we can sell. No online store because we don't have the following or interest for the cost of one to make sense right now. Send us an email or Instagram message and we can talk over pricing if you'd like some 👍🏼

[@GRSEMETROMALL]

What I need to know is will it run an air conditioner. Is there a portable air conditioner? I see the 12v fans, but what about a fan that runs from alternating current? That’s real world to me. Although the heater was useful. I need to run eight hours and $6000, that’s a little bit of money

[@Trailvagabonds]

I do not have an air conditioner. I haven't done a ton of research on them but will say the average 12v A/C pulls too many amps for the Goal Zero DC side. Any A/C that pulls less than 2000 watts AC (3000x has a 3500 watt surge ability. You would have to double check startup draw though). Could be used. The only thing is A/Cs are power hungry, your system wouldn't last for 8 hours. The same goes for DIY electrical systems. You need a lot of battery bank to run an A/C for more than an hour. Shorepower is always a good option for utilizing an A/C unit

[@saundz8791]

I saw a video where a Domatic RTX 2000 A/C unite was running of a 540 Ah DIY system and it sayed that it could have ran for 8-10 hours depending on the setting and it was around 85 outside. But the A/C unite priced around 3k and and 2 270 Ah batteries go for 2.5k each... That's 8k for an air conditioner

[@Trailvagabonds]

That is a decent amount of run time for an A/C considering how power hungry they are. Thinking about recharging empty batteries though, you would also need a great deal of solar or somewhere to plug in. If you have somewhere to plug in, not using batteries for the AC would be the best option. I think if an AC is a priority making the decision to find campsites with power hookups should be important. Killing your battery system to zero is never great and seems like that would be pretty easy to do. Good to know there is an option for emergencies though!

[@GRSEMETROMALL]

@@saundz8791 that’s a little bit of money

[@saundz8791]

@@GRSEMETROMALL yes it is... I was looking in and interested but not at that pricetag. There are 12V AC units that are sold from China that cost 1/3 of the price. I'm still doing research.

[@danbross6422]

Great video. Doing similar system in our van. You answered some questions about fuse panel integration. Not van related, but where did you get the cart for your dog? Wondering because one of our labs has back end paralysis. Thanks

[@Trailvagabonds]

Glad the video could be helpful! 🙌🏻 The cart is from Eddie's Wheels. They do custom aluminum wheelchairs to your dog's measurements. This one is currently a loaner because it's a little big for Love but we are having one built for her. There is another company called Handicapped Pets that sells more one size fits all chairs too. Sprinting around playing chase and wrestling with our other dogs, it's pure joy for her (and us)! Definitely a worthy investment for a family member! 😊

[@danielbross1536]

Thanks!

[@IanRoberts11]

Great video 🙌 In your opinion would the 1500 x be enough ? We will have two fans maybe a isothern refrigator ,a coffee machine and some lighting a small water pump and water heater

[@Trailvagabonds]

After my tests I think the 1500x may be the perfect size for van life! I don't think you'd be wanting if those are your draws. If you have solar or the alternator charger I think it even gives lots of ability off grid

[@MrNatnaguit]

Big fan,got LOTS of ideas from your van series. Also got an upgrade from YT1000 to 1500X.questionNow, since I already have the Max.output cable like you did, why switch to just APP cable? any downside? thanks for all you!!! Happy Trails!🤙🏽

[@Trailvagabonds]

For the x model the HPP(APP) now has a max output of 30 amps. Before you needed the max current to combine all the ports but now it's just the single one for the max output leaving the max current cable obsolete. They do not recommend using it to combine outputs now. Made it not worth purchasing on my end since I never had a lithium unit I could use it with 😂 Hope that's helpful! Let me know if you need any other clarification or have other questions 🙌🏻

[@MacSociety]

I subbed. Enjoying this video and will check out others. Curious, can one use that Yeti Link to add one of their Yeti Tank Lead Acid Battery units to it AND connect to the vehicle battery too so the Yeti 3000x can charge while driving both the Yeti 3000x and the Yeti Tank battery? Would be nice to have the extra 100aH Yeti Tank for longer term stays.

[@Trailvagabonds]

Thanks for the sub! Sorry I'm just seeing your comment now. I don't believe there is a way to include an expansion tank while connected to the vehicle integration kit. They use the same plug at the back of the Goal Zero unit and I'm not sure there would be a way to connect both. It would be a great feature for Goal Zero to make! They do have the Yeti 6000x which is double to capacity of the 3000x. But hopefully we will see some advances in that regard from them. Seeing the stuff Ecoflow is doing with their RV/Tiny house kits I couldn't imagine Goal Zero being too far behind with some new tech

[@therugglet]

Thank you for a helpful demonstration of how Goal Zero can be used in a van. I was wondering how often you are accessing Goal Zero? Do you find you are constantly plugging and unplugging things into it? Can you leave all the charging options (shore power, alternator, and solar) connected simultaneously, or do you have to unplug and replug depending on the power source? Same question for the outputs, do you leave all your extension cord outlets plugged into Goal Zero? Do you have any issues with vibration shaking those loose?

[@josephjuno9555]

I have similar set-up using a Jackery 2000. Dont have solar yet. Charge wbile driving or stay at campground.

[@Trailvagabonds]

Nice! I hear they are great systems too

[@firedup4111]

Hey Matt! Do you have any video for your electrical set up with the yeti? Thank you! :)

[@Trailvagabonds]

Sorry I missed your comment. We have 2 videos of our system (using our past yeti 400 agm). The first video is here~kzbin.info/www/bejne/bGqndZeabL-Ng7M If you have any questions let me know and I can try and help out

[@dino-2379]

I am considering doing a van build and I have really been leaning towards powering the van with the 3000 X. I was very amazed at the amount of watts your alternator was creating through the yeti link 🤔 I had been thinking possibly like an 800 W inverter connected to the alternator and use the AC wall charging power pack to charge the yeti while driving 🤔 However it appears as though the yeti link is very efficient and running an inverter would not be necessary 👍. Hope you do a follow up video in the future on how your yeti 3000 has continued to work as your power supply for your van 👍

[@Trailvagabonds]

I was surprised too! It will be such an easy way to charge! I'll definitely continue to update along the way. I'll do a follow up when I get the new car charging cables too. I've heard they are probably releasing the new car charging kits in May. They are filling the recalls first. Good luck with your build! Thanks for watching!

[@sprinterdiscovery]

Excellent video and awesome for vanlife! Nice to see 700W charging on your Yeti 3000x - that's very quick! We're using a Victron Orion to charge our Goal Zero Yeti 1000, measuring at 30A and we're getting 360W input on the PWM side. From empty to completely full in about 3 hours of driving. We drive every day and it's topped up all the time. We're using the Anderson input. As for your firmware update for your 3000x, did you have to send your Goal Zero into the vendor?

[@Trailvagabonds]

Had I not purchased the car charging kit previously, I would have went with your option after you mentioned it to me in the past 🙌🏻 That's so awesome! For the firmware update, you can do it right from the Yeti App. Under settings there is an option to check for updates. It downloads automatically when paired. Goal Zero is really pushing the bar with their systems. It's going to be hard for them to top in the future! 😎

[@sprinterdiscovery]

@@Trailvagabonds The Goal Zero products really are amazing - they put a lot of thought and design into their products. There is a reason why the price is premium. There are things like car charging that other competitors can't match - many are geared towards solar or wall charging. I'd love to upgrade to the model you have - especially with wifi connectivity. That's a cool feature. Enjoy the weekend!

[@Trailvagabonds]

You too! Thank you! 😊

[@NorthwestLights206]

Do you have a video showing how you ran the Alternator Charging cable through the wall?

[@mikestone9129]

This thing is so awesome. But, for a lot of van lifers this will be way over priced, or at least out of our price range. As a disabled Vet on a limited income there's no way I could afford one. But it is without a doubt a great power source.

[@Trailvagabonds]

I understand it can stretch many people's budget. For a comparable diy system with the quality parts GZ uses, it's priced pretty competitively however. We got away with an AGM 400 and standard wall charger for shore power or our 200 watts of solar on the roof for over a year. Goal Zero just released the Yeti 1000 Core that is only $999. It can handle their 230w wall charger (which is about double the input as the stock charger) and take in 300w of solar. It doesn't work with the alternator charger but it has a lot of bang for your buck, much better than a Jackery or some of the other units out there ~amzn.to/2TNi9XJ Let me know if you have other questions on it. And do go with what works best for you! I think van living is for everyone, no matter the budget. We only share what we came to. All the best! 😊

[@leelee5668]

What a great explanation. What do you think of 1500X comparing to this?

[@Trailvagabonds]

Honestly I think it may be the sweet spot for a van! The 3000x is probably overkill for our average needs. I think you'd be happy with it. Let me know if you have other questions 🙌🏻

[@colbywharton7168]

Hey Matt great video have a 1500 x and waiting for them to fix the link What water kettle do you use ?? Seems like it has less of a draw and or is more efficient than mine TIA !!

[@Trailvagabonds]

Hey there! I think the 1500x is the perfect size! 🙌🏻 I hear the new link car kit should be out in May. Such an awesome option! The kettle we have is from Fellow. We were gifted it as a wedding gift😊 It takes a few minutes to heat up but seems pretty efficient over the last kettle we had

[@shaunmoffett2532]

Great video! Question...Can you have alternator and solar power hooked up at same time? Once you've stop driving will solar take over? Any info would be appreciated. Thx!

[@Trailvagabonds]

Yep! I called Goal Zero on this and the internal charge will prioritize the highest input so most likely the alternator charge. Then when the van is off switch back over to solar. They can't run simultaneously I was told, and either or, but there shouldn't be any issues plugging them both in. Hope that's helpful! 🙌🏻

[@tirivaenim]

Given possible poor weather, it would be great if it could charge simultaneously from alternator & solar. Is there any option for a 240v outlets & what Hp is your water pump? For cooking are you using gas or would an induction cooktop (2,500w) be capable to cook dinner/supper or breakfast? • What’s the maximum Pv watts or VoC for the MPPT? • Price?

[@michaelfermin1030]

Thank you, just what I needed. Can you show when to use 12V input? Can I have both inputs plugged?

[@Trailvagabonds]

Are you talking about the input under the lid as well? I may be misunderstanding your question so definitely follow up if I didn't but the nail on the head here~ You could utilize both at the same time with solar panels (or other input options). The input under the lid can only take in 10a or 150 watt max so it is limited. The total input into the system is 600w/50a max so between the two you can only max out on that amount. For example - If you had 600 watts of panels on the roof and it was inputting say 350 watts into the unit but you wanted a little extra you could add a 200 watt portable panel under the lid which say is taking in 120 watts then your system would have 470 watts feeding it from the two inputs

[@michaelfermin1030]

@@Trailvagabonds Thank you that actually answers my question. What happens if it exceed such as sudden change in Sunlight would provide so much watts. Does it have an over charge fail safe?

[@Trailvagabonds]

@@michaelfermin1030 I was told by Goal Zero the charge controller would only be able to take in 600w so if it was being fed 750 say, it would max on 600. If you go over the max amperage and volts however that can be a problem for the unit and can hurt things internally from my understanding. As long as you are paying attention to how the panels are wired as to not put in too many volts or exceed the max amperage you shouldn't hurt the unit going over on watt input

[@leowalker07]

Hey Matt! Just wanted to check in to see how your vehicle integration kit is going. We rented a van before building ours out and it seemed that the kit burned out the alternator but that was back in 2020 and it could have just been a bad alternator on the promaster 136 build that we rented. I'm considering buying one to help maintain our 3000X when our 400W of solar can't top it off during a cloudy day. I was curious if the 3000X was smart enough to know to pull from the vehicle alternator rather than the solar once you start driving or if you've had to unplug the solar to make sure it chooses the vehicle.

[@Trailvagabonds]

Hey! We've had good luck with ours. I know the previous model was recalled because connections could come undone and that could be part of why the alternator had issues but I'm unsure on that. Maybe it had to do with the alternator size too. I have heard people utilizing the link kit with mini vans so it seems maybe it was the recall issue. The new version has holders to keep all the connections together and the connections were changed ever so slightly too. GZ customer support specifically told me when the vehicle is on you don't need to remove solar and that the charge controller will choose the larger of the two sources to charge the unit. The nice thing when your battery is topped up, your solar will also charge the vehicle battery through the link to keep it full. Cool feature with the link. Another part of the problems in the past was the firmware updates. They took around 6 months when they realized the recall issues to rebuild the firmware so it's definitely important to update the unit from the app when you do install it (both the GZ and Link updates). Hope that helps! Let me know if you have other questions. I'll hopefully make an updated install video in the future (haven't had time recently) because the new vehicle kit has a fuse and the connectors I spoke of earlier which makes it quite a bit different then my original install. Cheers!

[@IanRoberts11]

Great Video I picked up the 1500 x 🙌 Question what tires did you go with and were they stock or larger ? Thanks again

[@Trailvagabonds]

Great choice! I think that's the sweet spot! Yes, they are the stock 225 75R16 size. We went with the BF Goodrich TA K02s

[@ballancampeau6427]

Nice video. First I’ve seen that shows real life demonstrations. Some questions: 1) what happens when the draw exceeds the capacity of a 12v port; 2) many appliances (like a microwave oven) say that they should only be connected to a grounded 110v outlet. The yeti is not grounded. Any concerns or advice?

[@ballancampeau6427]

Also, when you connected the link to the battery, you did not install a fuse. Does the link protect itself?

[@Trailvagabonds]

The power cuts out if you go over it's output. Though it has internal protection I think being concious of your output is smart. We maxed out our old 400 unit a few times. There is an equipment ground or isolated ground within the system for those items that need a ground. So the system isn't connected to an earth but is ground protected within it. For the Link battery charger, I went with Goal Zero's instructions. I would guess there is some form of protection either within the Link or with how it is connected to the Power System. I'd have to refer you to Goal Zero tech for specifics

[@lowriskok]

excellent review. i am disappointed with their lithium X units as the 8mm input max input has lowered from 240w to 120w as bigger units have been released. goal zero provides an 8mm to high power port 4x cable (anderson connection), a $30 part for those that have multiple small panels when you exceed 120w 8mm input. then you probably want to get a 30ft anderson extension cable for $60.

[@Trailvagabonds]

I think it was more a safety concern then anything since it's a lot of amps in a smaller wire. You could maybe make your own connectors for cheaper with 10 awg wire and connectors off Amazon. But it does seem Goal Zero's accessories are a premium for utilizing their products. Makes the price tag well over what you expect at the outset.

[@TrailBoundco]

good to see it works with the heater. my yeti 400 doesnt work with the diesel heater

[@Trailvagabonds]

For the 400 I was using, I cheated and used an Anderson into the chaining port on the side of the unit. I never had any issues with it but it is unregulated and doesn't show as output in the screen so utilize at your own risk if you try it

[@TrailBoundco]

@@Trailvagabonds my fuse panel goes into the side with the Anderson port and the diesel heater was hooked to that fuse panel. What happens when the heater surges to the high is that it pushes the Anderson plug out. Super strange

[@Trailvagabonds]

@@TrailBoundco oh wow! No fun! I fed the fuse panel with the cigarette port (10amp max) and the heater only from the side. I never had issues but it is surely pushing the limits! Good luck with the choice to upgrade! Let me know if you have questions on anything 🙌🏻

[@TrailBoundco]

@@Trailvagabonds I might have to try that hack in the meantime if I dont upgrade. any reason you choose to do fuse panel with cigaret and heater to Anderson side port? for me it would be easier to just add the heater with cigarette plug

[@Trailvagabonds]

I think the heater at start up can pull over 10 amps which is the 12v port's max. As you've found not working with your fuse panel, it would be the same deal

[@Lotuslaful]

Very helpful Thank you! What type of solar panels did you use? Do they have to be Goal zero? Also was curious re mounting on roof and tilt option Will check your notes Was going to go with bluetti til I saw this Thanks Pup is adorable too!

[@Trailvagabonds]

Glad to hear! Let me know if you have any questions 🙌🏻

[@Trailvagabonds]

I have the 2 x 100 watt Renogy Eclipse panels. You can use 3rd party no problem. Just need to be concious of the voltage and the X models can't take in more than 600 watts. I made a 80/20 rack that the panels mount to. I made a tilt mount but it's only worth using in the winter. I could have mounted the panels directly to some 2 hole tabs on the 80/20 otherwise

[@MattRau]

Great video! Question(s)-are you able to hard wire in new lights straight to the goal zero? (LED lights on the ceiling) Same question about 110v outlets mounted to a wall? Or would you have to plug in a coffee grinder, laptop charger etc. straight into the yeti every time you want to charge something?

[@Trailvagabonds]

Hey there! Glad you liked the video. For LED lights you can wire them into a fuse panel that is fed from the Anderson power pole (or high power pole) just like in a DIY system. The Goal Zero X line (1500x, 3000x, 6000x) can feed up to 30 amps of regulated 12v power to your appliances-LED lights, USB plugs, water pump, 12v fridge; most any 12v appliance you'd want to use in a van. For 110v outlets, you can hard wire outlets around the van and feed them by an extension cord plugged into the AC side. I talk about how I wired outlets in my shiplap wall video by extension cord. You could also run more than one outlet on the same circuit much like a house if you'd want, you'd just have to wire them together preferably with stranded wire as solid copper wires aren't recommended in a vehicle as they can vibrate apart. This would give you the ability to have multiple outlets around the van so you don't have to plug directly into the unit. I also had a couple other electrical videos that might be helpful for the 12v items, look back at our van build playlist to find them. Let me know if you have other questions or if you need links to the videos of they are hard to find. Hope that helps! All the best! 🙌🏻

[@MattRau]

@@Trailvagabonds Wow thank you for the quick reply! Great information, very new to this but that helped a lot. I’ll definitely be watching back to your videos on electrical components. Thanks again, great channel 🤙

[@adrianpena929]

Hi man, great video, super helpful. Just wondering I think I heard you say you got your yeti with 20% off deal. Do you know if that promo is still going on and where to get it? Thanks!

[@Trailvagabonds]

Hey brother! I got it from REI for their last member sale but they are offering 20% off right now! Jump on it because they sell out fast!

[@jeffmallo2755]

Now if I could just get the car charging kit! Ordered mine Nov 11 2020 and now they are saying it will arrive in June maybe!

[@Trailvagabonds]

I've heard they are covering all the recalls first. At least you can know all the issues are covered now! It is an amazing option for charging!

[@OutdoorsIQ]

Hey awesome video!! Can I ask if your Yeti fans power on/off for a split second when you press the AC button on?

[@Trailvagabonds]

Sometimes they do fire up right away. If I had one annoyance it might be that the fans can be kind of loud at times but with how effective they are at doing their job and making the system work properly, it's worth it 😂 Let me know if you have other questions

[@OutdoorsIQ]

@@Trailvagabonds Your right they can be loud, but don’t forget it’s a 2000w inverter! Which is pretty huge… I think that’s 150amps+ draw… Are you running the latest firmware? My kind of pulses on for a second, then off when you first press AC. Just trying to see if mine is faulty as my 500x doesn’t do this.

[@adamattoun9107]

I have (2) of the 3000x's and (1) 1500x and feel they're quite overpriced considering they're not LiFePo, rendering less number of charges throughout their life cycles comparatively. The chargers that came with mine provide around 50W input, which results in ~48 hours to fully charge. For the price the units cost, they should include the faster chargers. I have to purchase one more large capacity battery and this time around, I'll likely go with Bluetti. Cheaper, much more powerful charger, higher solar input, LiFePo, giving at least 10 years of full recycling. AND it can be used as a UPS given the pass through relays. I like Goal Zero, but they're not living up to their hyped marketing compared to the competition.

[@Trailvagabonds]

Hmm, my experience with the 3000x 230w charger has better input than you've seen. I'm sorry to hear you have had such issues. I have no experience with the Bluetti brand so can't speak to how much better they are. I've been very happy with our Goal Zero products and was only sharing my experience. Keep me posted if you get a Bluetti and how well it performs 🙌🏻 I'd love to have more information to share with people!

[@1lifewanderlust]

I’m looking to put this in my Sprinter. Looks like we have very similar power needs. Blender, kettle, laptops and camera batteries. Do you have this place in the back and how much does this weigh?

[@Trailvagabonds]

I have it on the driver's side under our bench seat, midway from the rear to the front of our van. I think they are quoted at about 70 pounds. If you use the car charging kit it uses a 12 foot extension cord so depending on the wheel base you have you have some options for where you place it

[@davemerrill1477]

Did you have a tough time updating your firmware? Can’t get mine to update. Does the fast charger get as hot as the regular charger? Thanks, love the video

[@Trailvagabonds]

Thank you, hope it can be helpful! I did have trouble updating when I wasn't connected to wifi on my phone. But once connected it was a simple process of downloading the update. And yes, the fast charger gets hot. It has a warning label that it should be given space around it because of the heat it generates. Pretty awesome piece of tech. Let me know if you have other questions 🙌🏻

[@Spare_Mag_Mike]

I was wondering if you could give an update on how this system is running for you...? Also this might be a question asked in the comments already but I'm short on time so ill ask direct... It appears you can run the yeti link for dc-dc charging and have solar coming in at the same time... is this correct/ how does the unit like both forms of power input at the same time? Thanks for the great videos.

[@Trailvagabonds]

Hi Michael, I’m really sorry I’m just seeing this now. Since getting a new phone I’m not being updated about all the comments and missed yours. As for our system, we still really like it. I do think having more than 200 watts of solar could be helpful when we don’t want to move much. Or the larger 6000x for when we are sitting and shaded or cloudy. For the Yeti Link car charging kit, I was told by Goal Zero Tech that the charge controller prioritizes the larger input so you don’t get both solar and the alternator charging the GZ at the same time, just the larger input which is normally the alternator in my experience. Hope that helps. Let me know if you have other questions

[@BrianLee-nz3vm]

Hi Matt, I have just found your channel, via this link to the Yeti 3000X. I will be starting my latest van build in about 2 months and have always gone the standard route, DC-Dc charging / solar charging to lithium batteries, with a 2000W inverter for the 110v, then on to 12v for the van and the inverter mainly for our coffee machine. I look at the 3000X or even the 6000X and think why? this looks a awesome piece of kit and a great review. Will it cope with a water pump for my sink and also a water pump for my rear shower. A year in are you still happy with the 3000X? Thanks for your time.

[@Trailvagabonds]

Hey Brian! We are still very happy with our 3000x. I think GZs updates to the x line are pretty awesome and covered most complaints people had in previous versions. I’ve also built a couple client vans with a 3000x and 6000x. I think for the quality of equipment in a GZ, the price is fairly comparable depending on the products you include in a pieced together electrical system. Ultimately a pieced together electrical kit can give you ability to run a more robust 12v system like a 12v air conditioner. But for an average build- a water pump, led lights, usbs, fridge. The appliances are all pretty efficient and 30 amp 12v output is ample. There are always trade offs. If a GZ goes out you have to replace the whole unit, not just the inverter as an example in a diy system. For plug and play ease of use, GZs only need a couple connections and a lot of people without electrical knowledge look at it much easier. I like them as an option for clients but think pieced together systems can give you a lot more ability to change things up and really drill into your exact needs. Sorry if that’s a confusing answer. I love the GZ and think it’s a great option for many builds/ peoples needs. But I don’t think it’s the only option and do think diy systems have their place when needed. Let me know if you have other questions on it. Hopefully that was helpful in some way

[@BrianLee-nz3vm]

@@Trailvagabonds Hi Matt, now that's what I call a comprehensive answer. Thanks. I am going to get prices from someone like ''Light Harvest solar'' for a pieced together system and see what the current price difference is between it and a GZ. I'll also look for other companies doing a complete package. The biggest thing I need is the Transit Van itself. I ordered it 12 months ago (September 2021) and now it's been moved to a 2023 MY. So hopefully I am at the head or the list, but I doubt it. It was delayed and then never produced because of a reversing camera shortage!! Thanks again.

[@davidbriseno3846]

Love the tutorial. I have the yeti 6000x trying to convert a bus and I had a question about connecting to the van battery. I have an extra 12 ft. EC8 cord and my yeti is about 6 ft. from the bus battery. Could I just strip the female end and connect negative to negative and positive to positive with an 80 amp circuit breaker? I know its a DIY job but just wanted to get your opinion. I didn't understand why goal zero had multiple connections. I appreciate any advice. THANKS?

[@Trailvagabonds]

Hey there! I've spoke with Goal Zero about it in the past and as long as you are using 8 gauge wire you can extend the cable. I'm not sure what gauge the extension cables are but if you find they are 8 gauge it would work fine to splice them together to get the extra length you need

[@davidbriseno3846]

@@Trailvagabonds THANKS!

[@Rockstar97321]

Can you add an aditional deep well or lithium battery or batteries to the Yeti 3000X for more electrical storage?

[@Trailvagabonds]

Goal Zero offers a Yeti Tank AGM expansion battery~ www.pntrac.com/t/TUJGRU1NSEJHRkxMTk1CRkhNS0xM?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.goalzero.com%2Fcollections%2Fall-products%2Fproducts%2F4-8-kwh-yeti-expansion-kit. You can add up to 4 of them which the previous link is a set. The only think is that they utilize the Yeti link so you cannot use the Tanks and Alternator Charger simultaneously. They 6000x has double the battery capacity of the 3000x which would then allow the use of the alternator charger~ www.pntrac.com/t/TUJGRU1NSEJHRkxMTk1CRkhNS0xM?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.goalzero.com%2Fcollections%2Fall-products%2Fproducts%2Fgoal-zero-yeti-6000x-portable-power-station. Definitely tradeoffs to either option I suppose

[@aaaaa1957]

Great video. Is the internal battery replaceable? If it is, is it a standard size off the shelf or is it specially made for the unit? How long do the battery ( batteries ) last in years with normal use?

[@Trailvagabonds]

Goal Zero doesn't have lithium replacements that I've seen. I'm not sure if you could switch it with one off the shelf. It would be a great question for their customer service. Otherwise their batteries are rated 500-800 cycles from 100%-0%. After 500 cycles they say you still have 80% capacity. I'm not sure what it would mean if you are always topping up the battery from solar and such. Maybe another good question for them

[@loumikb6556]

Thanks for the video. Could you please tell us if the AC receptacle on the Yeti has allowance for a three-prong grounding plug? I just can't tell if it will only take a two prong.

[@Trailvagabonds]

Yes it does take a 3-prong plug. It's not a true ground but there is over voltage and other protections built in. Shouldn't be a problem to run any AC item you want

[@loumikb6556]

@@Trailvagabonds Thank you very much!!

[@vicandannatravelisfun6234]

Hi Matt. Love your videos. I just put in the yeti car link. When I turn off the vehicle, the link is displaying all 4 green LEDs lit up. Does yours do that too? I called GZ and they said the LEDs should go off. Thanks.

[@Trailvagabonds]

Glad you are enjoying the videos, hope they can be helpful! I looked into the same thing because it worried be at first. I was told it shows the charge of your vehicle battery so that you know if it is topped up or not. With the integration kit installed, solar or AC charging will also help charge your vehicle battery which is super cool!

[@TrailtoTrailTom]

Have you tested running a full size fridge? I am mainly looking this generator for power outage in the house. Run the fridge, internet, TV and small heater fan. Curious how long it might last?

[@Trailvagabonds]

I did not put it through testing a full size fridge since it wasn't going to be my standard usage. It will really depend on how efficient your fridge is I would expect. Goal Zero's website states 55 hours on an average 55 watt fridge usage for the 3000x. Many fridges aren't that efficient though I don't believe. TV would also depend on the model you have. Some of the newest LED tvs sip power. Older plasma tvs are very power hungry. I know the 3000x and 6000x were built with home integration in mind for just those scenarios. With charging help from solar, I think it could get you through power outages rather than using a gas generator very well. I think there would still need to be tradeoffs to what you run so you aren't completly drained by the end of the day. Hope that helps. Goal Zero's product pages have average usage scenarios talking about time of use, charging scenarios, and other good information. Obviously always best case numbers but would give you a good idea. Hopefully there are some other channels out there talking about the home integration a little more. Let me know if you have other questions! 😊

[@brookeruntas9200]

Great video! We've been struggling to figure out how to use our goal zero in our new camper van and your video helped so much!! I had one question about charging. We typically leave the alternator charger plugged in while using the van and also the input charger under the lid. After watching your videos I'm thinking the alternator one connected to the van battery only works when the vans on and the input plugged in under the lid of the goal zero only works when plugged onto shore power. Is that correct and is there any harm in leaving them both plugged up at the same time? Wondering if we should be switching the charging input depending on if we are driving or at a camp. Thanks!!

[@Trailvagabonds]

You are fine to leave both plugged in. The Car Charging Kit will only charge while the vehicle is running (as long as you have the link in car mode, if you don't it could drain your van battery). When you are plugged into shore power, that would be charging from the AC brick that comes with the Goal Zero. If you have solar, that could be plugged into the front of the unit. That's one of the things that I have to switch on mine. My solar and AC charger are both Anderson connectors that plug into the front of my GZ. Let me know if you have other questions 🙌🏻

[@brookeruntas9200]

@@Trailvagabonds got it, thanks so much! We had our 30amp breaker blow and actually started smoking.. we think it possibly could have gotten a power surge while we hooked up to shore power. We replaced the breaker but our AC and TV that run off of it aren't working. Any ideas on what it could be?

[@Trailvagabonds]

@@brookeruntas9200 it's a breaker panel fed from your AC side of your Goal Zero? I guess I would need a little more information and can't picture how you are powering your A/C and TV.

[@jeffwatts2727]

Can you show if it can charge via the “Link” and regular input via solar/600W power supply simultaneously? Thank you

[@Trailvagabonds]

I spoke with Goal Zero and the tech said that the controller will only take in the largest amount of charge so solar or the 600w charger will be switched off while the alternator is charging. I have not personal "tested" it to know that is for sure but it seems likely. When I film my recall update video with the link car charging kit I will try to add a bit on that 👍🏼

[@jeffwatts2727]

Matt & Katie Thank you, looking forward to it to decide a purchase 👍