Frequently Asked Questions - Goalzero Yeti 400 User Manual

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of battery is in my YETI?
Your YETI uses a 12V, 33Ah sealed lead-acid battery (AGM), and similar to
what is found in your car. Here are some basic facts about AGM batteries:
1. AGM batteries should be kept full at all times.
This means you should leave your YETI plugged into a power sources at
all times, especially during storage.
2. AGM batteries last longer if you do not drain them completely.
This stems from the "battery memory myth" in old rechargeable batteries.
You can read more about this in the Battery 101.
How do I know if my YETI is charged?
To check the charge level of your YETI, refer to the LCD Battery Display.
When lit up, you'll see a battery outline with 5 segments, indicating the
current charge level. You can turn on the Battery Display by pushing the
DISPLAY button. It is OK to use your YETI even when it's not fully charged.
My YETI is beeping... what does that mean?
Plug your YETI into a power source, like a solar panel or outlet, as soon as
possible. This chirping is to alert you that your YETI's battery is low and
needs to be charged.
Can I take my YETI on a plane?
You sure can, although it is a bit heavy. The YETI contains an advanced,
sealed lead-acid battery that is completely safe to bring along on your flight.
Bring along your user manual to show the type of battery inside.
Is the battery inside my YETI replaceable?
Your YETI depends on an advanced lead-acid battery to power your gear,
and like all other batteries, one day it will make the journey to the battery
graveyard. Lucky for you, the YETI's battery is replaceable. Follow these
steps for replacing your YETI's battery:
1. Remove the four top bolts
2. Remove the lid
3. Remove the battery terminal bolts
4. Lift the old battery out of the body of the YETI
**This battery is HEAVY. Use caution and proper technique when lifting.
5. Insert replacement battery and reassemble in reverse order of steps above.
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Once you have replaced your battery, you will need to find a local battery
recycling center to dispose of it properly.
For more help replacing your YETI's battery, contact our Customer Solutions
Center at 1-888-794-6250 or at support@goalzero.com
What do the different display options mean?
Your YETI's LCD display is an advanced feature designed to help you better
understand power and monitor your consumption. The INPUT side reflects
the amount of power your YETI is receiving while it's charging. The OUTPUT
side indicates the amount of power the devices you have plugged in are
pulling out of the YETI – in the form of AMPS, VOLTS, WATTS, AMP HOURS
and WATT HOURS.
You can use the numbers displayed in WATTS to estimate runtimes. For
example, if you have a light plugged in that is pulling 100W, you can estimate
the YETI 400 will run the light for about 4 hours (YETI Wh/Device W =
runtime in hours; 400/100= 4 hours).
WATT HOURS (Wh) and AMP HOURS (Ah) represent the amount of power
being pulled per hour. This number continues to accumulate with each use of
your YETI and can be manually reset whenever desired.
Can I power devices from the Anderson PowerPole ports on the side of the
YETI?
No. There is no under-voltage protection built into the Anderson PowerPole
ports on the side of the YETI 400, meaning if you try to power devices
from these ports you could damage the battery. These ports are meant for
chaining other YETI 400s or EXTREME 350s for longer runtimes.
What does a pure-sine wave inverter mean?
When it comes to power, you might have heard the letters DC and AC thrown
around. DC stands for Direct Current, and is the only type of power that can
be stored in a battery. AC stands for Alternating Current, which is the type
of power your devices use when they're plugged into the wall. An inverter is
required to change DC output to AC output and requires a small amount of
power for the change. You can see this by turning on the AC port and looking
at the OUTPUT on the LCD display.
A pure-sine wave inverter, like the one found in your YETI 400, produces an
output that is exactly the same as supplied by an AC wall plug in your house.
Although integrating a pure-sine wave inverter takes more components, it
produces power output that makes it compatible with almost all AC electric
devices you use in your house.
So in the end, the pure-sine wave inverter allows your YETI to safely power
almost everything under 400 watts in your house that you would normally
plug into the wall.
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