Goal Zero Yeti 1000 Teardown: What's inside?

[@untetherednomad6393]

Fun to see inside, thanks for the video! I have had the top lid off several times to reposition the AC on off button but did not poke around in there much. I have been using my GZ yeti everyday for almost 18 months as a full-time nomad and so far it still charges to 100% via solar or gas genny or both.

[@veetropicals]

I know I wouldn't dare to go inside the Yeti's brain but I have to thank you for the learning tour. Getting to know more about my Yeti because of all your step by step videos. Thank you so much👍

[@IngardArthur-wx5tb]

Wow, that's way more simple than I expected. I have the 1400 Yeti and it's basically the same. Thanks for sharing this. I was able to open up the Yeti and re-align the inverter button. Seems to be working now.

[@todd.parker]

Glad it helped!

[@orengoorlando]

Wow! Never thought that I could see the inside of a Yeti. That was cool. It's really interesting to learn more about our solar power system. Thank you Todd!

[@todd.parker]

Yeah it’s funny there isn’t even a photo of the inside, figured I’d fill that gap even though I’m not capable of a true teardown

[@eugenesylvie4164]

Hi Todd! I'm just watching your video, and at 5:10 you mentioned you heard some comments about wifi not working. Can you explain wifi and goal zero? Thank you.

[@jgg204]

This is an excellent video. Lots of people on social media bashing Goal Zero for being expensive, but they aren't taking into account that the entire case is thick aluminum framed. A Goal Zero Yeti could roll over in a sharp turn or fall off a stacked pile in your cargo area and fall on the floor, and most likely be just fine, b/c everything is bolted to a metal frame. Jackery, Bluetti, and others are all plasticky junk and would crack. Heck the handle on the Jackery is fixed and would just crack. Goal Zero is like the Apple of the power bank industry.

[@todd.parker]

I agree that their extruded aluminum case is really great. I like the simplicity and ruggedness of the GS stuff but I do think they have fallen quite a bit behind competitors at this point and the value proposition isn't there anymore. Let's hope they release something new soon that includes an internal high speed charger, LFP batteries, expansions batteries that aren't lead acid, etc.

[@3ricj]

A few comments: The bottom screws are for attaching to the cart, or other future accessories. As with many things, the way you replace the battery is by replacing the cells - they look like standard 18650 cells. If you are going to use an insulated screwdriver for 12 volt things, it's helpful to prevent shorts, but at 12 volts nothing will zap you unless you like lick it or stick it into your body somehow. BUT, your tapemeasure isn't insulated, and could start a fire if you short out the + and - terminals. Finally, thanks for doing this, even if you don't know much about it - we need more bravery and curiosity about things, and you are clearly showing that and teaching that. Thank you.

[@TheFpO]

Hi,great video. I came across yours trying to fix my 1400. And I cant seem to find a picture of the bottom of what I think is the inverter board. Something got burned but I cant replace if I don't know what it is. 😅 Keep up the content.

[@jussikankinen9409]

Does it work with bigger battery

[@TheBatteryDoctor]

Have a Yeti 1400 in for repair, the cells in your video is LG M26, chinease version (we have not opened our)its a very bad cells that loose capacity fast and become unbalanced. If there is just + and - going from the battery then battery replacement wound be very easy. Is there any other wires going to the top floor on your unit?

[@todd.parker]

There is a wiring harness that probably communicates from the BMS to the CPU and display

[@Josiejorgensen846]

Hey there... do you have any tips when the yetti won't charge? Don't know what to do to get it to charge up again..😒

[@todd.parker]

Try charging from solar, sometimes that helps

[@AlmostIdahoOverland]

My Yeti 1000x fans have never came on? Is that normal? I thought maybe it just hasn't gotten hot enough? I just found that ODD?? Purchased Jan 2024. Anything ideas or suggestions?

[@Fraggboy]

Todd, thanks for the bottom tear-down (sneak peek). I don’t know where you found that photo showing the BMS and battery. Goal Zero said they would charge $499.99 (includes shipping back) to replace the battery pack. That is more expensive than a 1k AGM battery, but much lighter and a bit smaller.

[@todd.parker]

Good to know the price. Based on the way this battery works, sending it back makes sense. I’m actually waiting to get my Yeti back, they agreed to swap mine because it wasn’t holding a charge

[@leftofone]

@@todd.parker Thanks for the video. Very impressive build quality. How long have you had your Yeti and what did you do to obtain warranty service for not holding a charge? Mine was bought August 2019 and I want to be certain the battery is up to snuff. I think I have a two year warranty because I registered online. It has been lightly used and well maintained. PS - screen regularly reports 93-94 % after draining and "full" charge. usually12.5 , sometimes 12.4 volts.

[@todd.parker]

My Yeti was actually more than 2 years old. I’d call or chat with them if the resets aren’t working to recalibrate. Mine was only outputting about 840wh though they didn’t ask that.

[@Fraggboy]

@@todd.parker How long is the warranty for? I thought it was only a year.

[@sprinterdiscovery]

@@todd.parker Very brave to take it apart like that! What symptoms did you experience when it wasn't taking a charge anymore? Also, how much did it cost to send it to them, and have them fix it?

[@MiguelMartinez-h4u]

Is there a way to charge the internal battery without the original charging cord? The original was eaten by my pitbull SPAZ. Yes eaten .... Plz. Help

[@todd.parker]

Goal Zero sells replacement chargers.

[@MiguelMartinez-h4u]

@@todd.parker yes , thank you I figured they did, but seems how I lost near everything including my life and the life's of my dearly loved Dingo Kloii and pitbull Spaz , my emotional support animals , in the Alameda 🔥🔥🔥, we are now homeless and kinda strapped for cash. Starting over has never been this difficult.. I was looking for alternative ways , if there is any to recharge this very important lifeline of ours. My yeti 1000x has been a god send for us and it's crucial we get it back up and running, so plz if you or anyone out there can shoot some ideas or help our way would be most def greatful and most appreciated 👍😁. Thank you in advance, Sincerely Lost and powerless

[@mariacarrera8282]

My yeti 1000 is not charging, any advise please

[@tommy28hhpr]

So can you.replace the goal zero battery?

[@todd.parker]

I don't think that's an easy job and they don't offer replacement battery packs unfortunately

[@iralperman247]

Yup. Now I don't have to scratch my curiosity itch and take mine apart. Just want to share that I've had mine since 2017 - when they first showed up at Costco. I use it 3-4 times a year as the main 110V power source for my off the grid cabin. It has been reliable - everything works. It's not super heavy - about 30 pounds - but I would not want to carry it far. I purchased a second charger as it has two charging ports and, yes, it charges exactly twice as fast - taking half the time. That is helpful because otherwise it takes about a day.

[@molinarodriguezteo]

Greetings Todd, I've been following your channel for a while and grateful for the tests and recommendations. 2 years ago I own a Yeti 3000 unit as a backup in the house. My only concern is the safety of having a Li-Ion battery inside the Yeti. Do you know of any GZ scheduled replacement or modification (outside of GZ) of the unit to replace its internal battery with a safer one?

[@todd.parker]

I have no information but I can guarantee they won’t offer a LiFePO4 drop in replacement. They don’t even have a user replaceable battery in the lithium Yetis.

[@leedlbo9949]

I had a customer bring me a Goal Zero Yeti 1000 it was dead and out of warranty so took a look at it the battery is a 3s 13p Li-Ion this one had 3.65V-2600mAh-LG-M26-18650 cells with a maximum of 10 amps each x the 13 cells , yelp 130 amps so please don't do what I did unless you are qulified . There was on this bms test points to check each group of cell voltages , this battery had 1.8v on 2 groups and 2v on another so charged each group slowly to 4 volts and then noticed bms not working so reassembled pack and put a new ac charger on the unit and finished charging now finally the bms came on but nothing is responding on front display so about to see if I can wake it up when I get back to it . This power unit is built really nice so hopefully it will wake up. This unit was put away for several years without charging and the BNS just shut down like it should to protect the cells so hopefully it will be fine. So guys protect your investment and keep it charged and please use it at least some so it will be ready in an emergency .

[@todd.parker]

Thanks for sharing all that info! Good stuff

[@tommy28hhpr]

@leedlbo9949 Do you think these batteries are rebuildable?

[@1161909]

My eight millimeter solar connector on the front face of my Goal Zero Yeti 1000 doesn't seem to be connecting right and it would not charge how can I fix that? I've seen how I can remove the top thank you for that I really appreciate it but by looking at your video it doesn't look like it's too hard to get at it but have you any ideas about how I would get it to connect to my solar panel? It seems like it's not connecting inside for some reason I don't know if it's on my solar panel connection or if it's on the goal Zero Yeti?

[@todd.parker]

Can you use the 8mm under the lid to test if it’s the panel or that specific connector? There are a number of inputs on the 1000. Seems you could open the top and see if the connectors has come loose if you wanted to fix it.

[@1161909]

@@todd.parker it's definitely the connector not on the solar panel I checked that already I think I'll try remove the lid and see if I can get in there but it looks like just too much movement on the connector like it's loose almost like a piece of wire inside the connector is not touching anything but I will remove the lid and take a look at it thank you so much

[@joeltreacy5875]

Mine got "stuck" it seemed and wouldnt charge but I disconnected the batteries as per a yeti customer service person and was able to get it going again

[@Kpb1634]

i wonder if its possible to expand the battery by replacing it with the one that goes into the yeti 3000

[@todd.parker]

My hunch is that would work but they don’t sell replacement batteries

[@Kpb1634]

@@todd.parker ya taking a second look at the battery internals it seems to be a 3s batter. I wouldn't be suprised if you could replace them with 3 big one from alibaba and wire them into the bms.

[@SleepingGaint]

So can I send my yeti 1000 back to goal zero to have a new Battery installed when the time comes?

[@todd.parker]

They were supposed to have replacement batteries but that never happened, maybe because it’s too difficult to swap

[@allaboutroofing2]

Goal zero is well behind the current competition. I suspect they will be out of business if they don't start innovating soon. These current models have been the same for about 4 years and are regular lithium cells. The competition offers far superior lithium iron phosphate cells which are leaps and bounds better in terms of cycles and charge rate, better inverters, usb c up to 100w and nearly half the cost per Wh vs goal zero. Admit I used to be a goal zero fan boy, but if you compare to bluetti or eco flo, its obvious goal zero is a over priced dinosaur. 🦖

[@mwiz100]

Ecoflow is using NCM lithium, same as Goal Zero. Bluetti tho is using the better iron phospate.

[@allaboutroofing2]

@@mwiz100 you are incorrect. Eco flow is LiFePO cells.

[@peterhutchings6356]

I find for a lot of gz products the “parts” don’t seem to be publicly available, I hunted for the GZ 9mm chaining cable for the Sherpas Google also returned nothing. Seems very closed loop. Interesting to see the modular expansion of the yetis as they get bigger

[@peterhutchings6356]

Forgot to add. Some products do exist (light-a-life) non branded and also some of the flexi GZ panels but without the “ports” gz has on them

[@todd.parker]

Yeah, GZ has a lot of semi-proprietary connectors that are a real hassle. I prefer MC4 and XT60 connectors like most other brands now use. I wonder if they will every update their product line....

[@peterhutchings6356]

@@todd.parker I have found the Lenovo 7,9mm nibs fit the goal zero ports and as such enable building hybrid leads. I currently have a 5,5 to 7,9 lead for my 60&120w panels into the yeti. The 9mm ones are rare (like can’t find them anywhere) except on an ageing high power laptop power supply

[@BCBoatsAndCanoes]

Thanks Todd, great video.

[@chrismeginbir2493]

did you happen to see where the temperature sensor is inside the unit?

[@todd.parker]

Hmm, no but I assume it at the bottom where the cells are

[@redstar612]

Thank you Todd for the video 👌

[@snosrfr71]

Yeah, my 1000 is doing the same thing. And rather than send it in for a $500 NMC battery replacement, I just picked up a battleborn 100Ah and "chained" it as you did in your previous video. This set up, along with the GZ link, and 2 100W panels on the roof rack keep my ARB fridge continuously powered, and my jeep's dual batts trickle charged. Is there a way to add a battery monitor to see the charge state for the yeti and BB? I have them under my DIY storage platform that replaced the back seats, and while I did install fans for circulation, it's a pain to get to...

[@todd.parker]

You could add a Victron smart shunt to your external battery and monitor the state of charge on your phone.

[@snosrfr71]

@@todd.parker could I wire the yeti to the shunt as well? Would I be able to connect to the terminals and run wires with the bottom cover back on? *btw, great vids! I CANNOT believe GZ is replacing your 1000's NMC!!! Well done indeed!

[@todd.parker]

@@snosrfr71he@@snosrfr71of the Battleborn from your phone. Treat them as separate systems but connected via the car charger and battery charger

[@guthmang]

Do you have an "X" version to do this with? Would be interested in seeing the difference...

[@todd.parker]

I don’t unfortunately

[@usmcdoc2512]

I think the fan is offset in mine. Makes a funny sound for several seconds when it turns on.... Anything i can fix ir just suck it up? I know nothing.

[@todd.parker]

Mine is very quiet. Maybe pop the top off to see if something is loose

[@usmcdoc2512]

@@todd.parker okie dokie. thank you..... Hold my beer

[@allaboutroofing2]

Your right about over engineered cases...they are suoer nice, but when the technology inside is outdated and they also want a premium for it, I'll take a plastic body with far superior internals. I don't need the body to last 300 years when old tech standard lithium cells will fail in 5 years or less. There is no need for aluminum body and i feel like goal zero focused too much on that aspect with no real benefit.

[@todd.parker]

I agree. I do think the case design is pretty smart because it’s just some aluminum extrusions so they can make it taller or shorter to fit different size batteries but I can’t recommend their stuff anymore

[@mariacarrera8282]

To replace battery in yeti 1000 cost $570 , it is five years old I say better buy a new one , any advise

[@mariacarrera8282]

Where can I purchase a new one , I will try to return my yeti1000 to Costco

[@todd.parker]

I'd suggest looking into Ecoflow or Bluetti. Their products are a better value and more innovative.

[@marcussundberg647]

Hi Todd, How could I get in contact with you, I have some (for you) very basic speaker questions. It’s regarding Ikea Symfonisk and a sub.

[@todd.parker]

Might as well ask here so others can benefit

[@marcussundberg647]

@@todd.parker yes of course. If I take the woofer wire from a Symfonisk and would like to connect to my JBL sub. Is there any benefit to convert it to RCA, or should I just use the speaker level input on my sub?

[@todd.parker]

You must convert the powered signal from the symfonisk to a lower power signal before plugging it into the RCA inputs on your sub. At a minimum, it will sound distorted but it could damage your sub. Because it’s too much power

[@marcussundberg647]

@@todd.parker so an option would be to skip RCA and just use speaker level input on the sub?

[@todd.parker]

Yes, if your sub has speaker level inputs you should use those. I thought you were asking because you sub only had RCA inputs

[@realtalkwithaaronbregg]

As always, good stuff! I have an interesting question for you (some of us are battery noobs) in regards to my 1000x. How much wear and tear on the Yeti is it when you are bringing in as much power (via solar) as you are taking out. I am hoping that you say its better than draining it and then recharging it. :)

[@todd.parker]

It is better. I think charging and recharging at the same time probably is pretty easy on the battery whereas discharging and recharging it counts as a ‘cycle’ and you only have ~800 cycles before the battery has lost 20% of it’s capacity.

[@realtalkwithaaronbregg]

@@todd.parker Awesome! Many thanks for the info and I look forward to more content from you!

[@jenniferhill1750]

Thank you Tod. Interesting. I don't think I would take it apart. I will leave that to you.

[@TheChaco1963]

Make a review of the goal zero 6000x please

[@todd.parker]

I need someone to send me a review unit...

[@lifepolicy]

Yep. From an engineering standpoint, the goal zero yetis are awesome. But sadly I read a lot of bad things about them in other videos. I hope mine will hold up and have no problems.

[@todd.parker]

I still think the Yetis have the best inverters and displays in the industry but they are quickly falling far behind Ecoflow and Bluetti on features and price. Let’s hope they step it up.

[@lifepolicy]

@@todd.parker, For now, the Yeti X fits my needs perfectly. With the progress in technology, there will be something better and/or cheaper sooner or later. Since I plan on using my Yeti X for the next 10 years (I have it in use just for a few weeks/year), my biggest fear is that it will fail at some point.

[@senior706]

Had this same model and now after 3 years it's having charging issues. Goal zero won't do a diagnostic as they just want to change the battery for $400. Thought it would last longer than 3 years.

[@jeffus]

@@senior706 Same thing happened to me, but now they want $500 to replace the battery.

[@brandondejongh5125]

Not sure if you'll see this or not but I have a 3000 that there was no communication cord to the mppt coming from the board. It looks like it come from the front board with 5 wires. Where your wires come out and goto the charge controller mine comes out by then loops back to the board. Not sure if it was wired wrong or what the deal was but goal zero wants 450$ to fix it and run the wire. If this is all it is the. I can fix it but don't want to burn up something

[@bonilla2022]

You mentioned 'Replacing the battery'? Did I miss something? great video, Thanks

[@todd.parker]

I was trying to see if they used a drip in battery like the previous generations but the answer is no. If you need to replace the battery you need to main it back to Goal Zero, unfortunately

[@RayLacks]

very cool

[@bentnickel7487]

The handles are high quality plastic. I know what you mean, but I never thought the world would ever get to that point. :-) ;-) :-D

[@alexsimon915]

Mine decided to quit working recently…. I guess no easy solution

[@todd.parker]

Try contacting support, they are pretty helpful

[@paulbunion6233]

maybe an ignorant idea, BUT, if you are using it in a full time nomad application, when the battery dies, as it will, remove the battery and wire in a suitable large battery to stand beside it, use the Yeti as the brain center and essentially an external battery as the power. As long as the "new" battery is similar specs, all the features should work the same. Does that make sense to the more knowledgeable or am I simply displaying a total lack of understanding ? be kind ! I'm fragile

[@todd.parker]

I think that makes sense. The only Q I have is there is a set of BMS wires that may look for something specific to the built-in pack but in theory it makes sense.

[@michaelprice3785]

All I know is my Yeti is junk. Have gone with Ecoflow and Jackery.

[@todd.parker]

I agree that GZ lost its way. Big fan of Ecoflow now

[@iiinsaiii]

Damn it! I was waiting fir this video and I’m sorry it was disappointing. You said you was going to pull out the battery to take a good look at it. This was just disappointing.

[@todd.parker]

Sorry, I didn’t see much point in removing it since it seemed custom. Like I said, I was a bit wary of going too far.

[@Fraggboy]

Don’t be disappointed. At least he found the “unicorn” photo of the innards (which I have been trying to find)..

[@iiinsaiii]

@@todd.parker I was expecting to see more of the batteries. Not just a tease. Was hoping to see more of what really power this unit? So if someone want to repair theirs and want to make a diy one, they would know what type of batteries they are.

[@todd.parker]

@@iiinsaiii the battery is a pretty basic 18650 pack. The main thing I wanted to know is the part number and if a drop in replacement was possible. If you’re handy enough to DIY a pack, opening your unit is easy peas.

[@iiinsaiii]

@@todd.parker I know what type of battery the 3000 has. I was hoping to see what was the smaller ones have. It’s cool thanks anyway.

[@hartwinbruckner9260]

Disastrous wiring for the price

[@todd.parker]

It is a bit messy