Goal Zero Yeti 400 Solar Generator, AGM Lead-Acid, 396Wh Capacity

2024-08-18T20:00:00

This has been a very durable product. We use it for tailgating and camping. i have now replaced the battery once and it is still going. I also use it for recharging my drill batteries every day.

JohnR

Originally posted at

2022-12-27T19:00:00

Do not buy this product! I was gifted this product new in the box. It must have sat for a few months because it was dead. It would not take a charge. I called the customer service line and they suggested I buy a replacement battery. So much for 500 battery cycles.

JROBB

Originally posted at

2022-09-04T20:00:00

We took our Yeti 400 on an off-roading Trip to power all of the devices we wanted to use for our 4 day trip and after the drive in we learned the AC Outlets Stopped Working. We then checked the USB and DC outlets and they worked fine. After returning home I dismantled the entire device and checked fuses on the AC inverter chip and nothing was blown. Turns out a few of the wired connections connected to the larger things on the board (one of which was the transformer) had disconnected, likely due to the vibrations of driving. I resoldered them to the board and the AC Outlets work again, but it's a little frustrating that Goal Zero didn't decide to support the inverter and other larger things on the board with more than just glue. I am not confident bringing this device on rougher roads anymore as these components may become disconnected again. Other than these complaints the remainder of the features of this device work great.

SDET27

Originally posted at

2022-05-27T20:00:00

I live in Texas and bought this to run a portable fan at my boys swim meets. Used it for the 1st time today. I made sure it was fully charged the day before and it died after only running the fan for an hour. For $450, it definitely didn?t meet my expectations. I?ll be asking for a refund

Dad379

Originally posted at

2022-03-16T20:00:00

I've had the Yeti 400 for charging ipads, phones, outdoor lighting on trips and as emergency backup. This lasted until a fuse blew. I contacted Goal Zero and instructed how to change the fuse myself except you need a soldering gun to do so. I'm now left with a massive paperweight as the plug no longer works.

lleblond

Originally posted at

2020-12-13T07:57:25

Yeti is the Gold Standard of solar portable generators. A GREAT PRODUCT!!!!

Doc P.

Originally posted at

2019-10-16T20:00:00

Purchased our Yeti 400 a few years ago from Costco and immediately took it on a cross country road trip. It worked great for all of our needs. Cameras, iPads, Bluetooth Speakers, Phones, Notebooks, cell phones, and various lighting products. One day, we could no longer charge one of our notebooks so I called Goal Zero. They issued a return label and shipped out a replacement within 24 hours. Ended up picking up a smaller Yeti 150 which is perfect for quick tailgates at games and concerts without the heft of the Yeti 400. I know there are cheaper products on the market but I like how easy Goal Zero products are right out of the box.

D90Rovin

Originally posted at

2019-09-03T20:00:00

I purchased this 3 years ago as a backup power supply, and use it almost every day to charge my phones and tablets. I use a 100 watt solar panel when the sun is out, but AC the rest of the time. I've also used it for portable ham radio use, and it works great.

Tim T.

Originally posted at

2019-08-20T20:00:00

Am really disappointed about having to purchase another battery - the first one died about 15 months after purchase. There has to be a better unit out there.

Laur

Originally posted at

2019-07-28T20:00:00

I lived in a 5x8 travel trailer for 6 months and this was the only power supply I had. I had LED lights, iPhone, iPad, and little usb fan hooked up all the time. Used the Boulder 100 to keep it charged. If the weather called for a few cloudy days, I would take it into work for the day and let it wall charge. Haven’t had a problem with it so far.

Tcbranger

Originally posted at

2019-05-22T20:00:00

We bought the Yeti 400 to run a CPAP in remote areas which it did beautifully as it is designed for medical equipment with the sine wave output on the 110AC, lasting the whole night (without the humidifier). Loved the design. Used it for about ten nights total. Then the AC output died. It ramps the current up and shuts off every time i try to power it up without anything plugged in. The other ports still work, but the AC is permanently dead. Hoping someone posts a better brand to use here. I'll check back. Funny that "Short Life" is a con button on the review form. Must be a real problem. Could get a powerwall from Tesla for not much more.

bigwoofie

Originally posted at

2019-05-21T20:00:00

My dad left my goal zero in the rain while we were floatin a river for a week and it filled up through the top 4 bolts! The screen was full of water, everything really.. bummer but I dried it out by opening it up and blowing a fan on it.. still works 100 percent! Maybe even better than before. I have lived in a truck for 2 years so this thing has endured some pain, sleeping all winter with temps below 0F, litterally 10* wow. No charge controller or inverter BS just plug and play! Makes life easy, I added an extra Yeti 400 batt and this thing keeps the fridge going 24/7 + computer charges etc etc

ShredDh

Originally posted at

2019-04-17T20:00:00

I bought this and found it does not store power well at all. Also highly doubt it holds 400watts. For example: charges I-Pad from 26%-100% and Sony a7II DSLR camera battery top off new purchase, draining 40%. And for being so outdoor & “green” friendly, it was disappointing that 12v charger cable for expeditions/journeys is NOT included. Glorified power adapter for solar power access! Very disappointed! Was hoping this could store power for various small draw expedition needs at night. Not. The handle is very nice for comfort carry.

Indigo

Originally posted at

2019-03-11T20:00:00

I owned for 3 years and I love GOALZERO products check out my goal zero yeti 400 review on YouTube at eclipse entertainment presents

Esias

Originally posted at

2018-06-02T20:00:00

I use my Yeti to charge my phone daily, and other devices sporadically. It is important to keep keep it charged and also use it regularly. Just like the battery in your car. If you do not use it and charge it, it will prematurely expire and be of no use. My Yeti will be ready for an emergency because I use it and keep it charged.

calipac

Originally posted at

2018-04-10T20:00:00

We have to ford a river to get to our remote straw bale cabin in the mountains. Sometimes we can drive across; sometimes there is a foot bridge. This spring, the bridge had not yet been restored, and we were lucky that the river was low enough to drive through. The next morning the river was high and raging after raining during the night upstream in the mountains. This might seem irrelevant to Goal Zero customers, but for us, it underlines how remote our cabin is and how quickly we can be cut off from the world. It reminds us to appreciate the reliability of our Yeti Goal Zero!

MountainMeadowCabin

Originally posted at

2017-10-09T20:00:00

I’ve had my Yeti 400 for three or so years. Recently, the power inverter failed. I contacted Goal Zero and they had me send it back (at their expense) and they sent me a factory fresh, brand new unit. I was hoping for parts at best. They sent me a brand new unit. Amazing! Also, they did it quickly after all of the 2017 hurricane damage. I am sure they have had a recent spike in demand but treated me like a priority. I even asked that they service folks in need first. They still got me handled quickly. Thanks Goal Zero!

Jim S.

Originally posted at

2017-09-26T20:00:00

Used it to power devices for Ragnar race, amazing!

Stitch J.

Originally posted at

2017-09-19T20:00:00

I own two of these and bring them outside to charge from my 100-W panel. They charge up all my portable devices, my coffee grinder, a few lamps, and could charge more. Will probably put the panel on the patio cover and run a line into the house pretty soon. Probably will get one of the larger Yetis soon as well. They're made well and have worked perfectly so far.

David L.

Originally posted at

2017-09-01T20:00:00

I've used this in my compact R.V. for about 2 years just plugged in to a cigerett lighter outlet with a harbor freight inverter. It supplied all my recharging and lighting needs flawlessly. It now lives aboard my 24' sailboat where it is charged by a single 50 watt solar panel. It continuously powers a 12v cabin fan, cabin light, C.Crane radio, and effortlessly recharges my phone, marine handheld radio, and other misc. electronics. It never dips below 80% charge, even in dead of night. Because this product has served me so well, I've since purchased several other G-Zero gadgets and found them all to be good stuff. Particularly like the solar flashlight that I leave out on deck at night and keep near my bunk at night as a handy flashlight at night, withought ever putting batteries in it. Great Stuff!

Captain C.

Originally posted at

2017-08-03T20:00:00

I purchased the Yeti 400 about a year ago and it has been a very good companion. at first, I thought it would have been good for us (my family) to get the larger Yeti, but this one was PERFECT. On my family's recent road trip, we had to go without plugging in our RV for multiple days straight and the Yeti helped out lots. we always liked to have a fan running for some "white noise" and the Yeti ran the fan all night with extra power left over. Wile we where on the road, we would charge it with the cigarette lighter then we charged the rest with the Boulder 30 when we got to our stop. Wile we were at home, it is nice to run a fan, charge your phone, etc without needing to pull out an extension cord. During summers, it is nice to sit with my feet in the pool and watch a movie on a monitor (I would needed to grab the extension cord again if it wasn't for the Yeti). So pretty much, the Yeti saved us time and struggle because there where no extra cords.

RoadTrip123

Originally posted at

2017-06-28T20:00:00

I purchased the Yeti 400 as backup power for my CPAP. I use a Philips Dreamstation Auto. Stats for the first night taken from the Yeti 400 display: -With mask off and humidifier off, it used 24 watts -With mask off and humidifier set at 2, it used 70 watts -With Mask on and humidifier off, watts fluctuated between 3 and 24 in relation to my breathing. -With Mask on and humidifier at 2, watts fluctuated between 50 and 70 in relation to breathing. I slept for 7.2 hours with the humidifier at 2 and pressure at 17, and I consumed 235 Watt Hours. The Yeti 400 showed that it was in the 60% block by morning. It was exactly what I needed!

Kahlua

Originally posted at

2017-06-24T20:00:00

I own 2 Yeti 400 stations for emergency home and field use. However, the AC Inverters on my units (and I'm told others) are unsuitable for Ham Radio Field use. They generate a 25 khtz noise on all HF Bands. My Ham radio club directed me to halt using the AC inverters for field operations because it not only disrupted my station but other's nearby. If you plan to use these units to power HF radios (or VHF/UHF Mobile radios) use the Anderson chaining connectors on the side of the Yeti to obtain DC power directly from the battery. (The Yeti front panel DC Power connections cannot handle radio transmitting power demands.) The Anderson chaining connectors power source combined with an in-line voltage meter will work -- add the solar panels to replenish the battery and you can still salvage good service from your Yeti. Goal Zero needs to take a hard look at their AC Inverter design.

Cowpens06

Originally posted at

2017-06-13T20:00:00

I am a Photographer and needed reliable power that was safe to run my laptop off and charge gear and Goal Zero was the product that I bought. I have the Yeti 400 and a 20 watt folding solar panel and 1, 8mm 30ft extension cable to plug the charging panel into with 3 of the old style lamps a Rock Out 2 for music and a Mini Lamp for my tent. This rig travels in a case I made for about $20 bucks. I camp 2-3 times a year for 2-3 weeks at a time and never need to worry about power. Also its nice to have power during a pesky black out at home. The only thing I found was that a single 20 watt panel gets the job done but I will be buying a second one and making a portable stand to keep the panels at a 45 degree angle. This wasn't cheap to buy but remember you get what you pay for.

Andy C.

Originally posted at

2017-05-08T20:00:00

I upgraded to a Yeti 400 from a 150. I have chained 4 - Duracell 35 amp hour batteries, totaling 2,000 watts/175 amp hours. I can watch a 50" Samsung LED HD TV with satellite dish for several hours and run an ARP cooler through the inverter with no problems. I also have several Goal Zero products that stay fully charged, as well as cell phones, tablets and an occasional lap top. I would have purchased the 1250, but no room, the 400 is doing a great job staying charged with a Renogy 100 watt mono solar panel.

Rooster C.

Originally posted at

2017-03-23T20:00:00

I use the primary for emergencies and camping. It's amazing, form factor is well worth the cost. It even runs a small frig, with an extra battery chained. One of the best investments I have made. Absolutely love this unit.

MsPoprouge

Originally posted at

2017-02-14T19:00:00

Camping in the mountains or dez, I only run my generator every 3 or 4 days to charge the coach. I like to keep hours down on the $6000 coach genny, and keep peace and quiet in the mountains. My Yeti400 charges 6-8 cel phones, 2 tablets, and my wife's laptop all at once in the afternoon / evening. By 10pm the Yeti might be down to 70% with all of these devices at 100%. My single 140 watt solar panel will have her back to 100% by noon the next day... and the cycle goes on for 7-10 days. I also charge my drone batteries as well as my r.c. cars off of the Yeti 400. They are all sensitive, expensive smart batteries, and the True Sign Wave Inverter has never injured any of my equipment! Unfortunately, my motorhome generator took out a laptop battery, and a newer smart phone because it is not true sign wave. I never charge sensitive electronics on my generator any more, ALWAYS on my Yeti 400! Have had it for a year, Love it, LOVE it, LOVE IT!!!

cOZYCAMPERS

Originally posted at

2016-11-23T19:00:00

3 months ago my husband and I purchased a yeti 400. We've been living in a yurt with no power/lighting (except a propane light) for 15 years. Some years back my husband put together a bike generating system that charged a Duracell power pack. The Duracell only made it 4 months before it quite working and was meager on features. We have been keeping our eyes open for a replacement and when we herd about Goal Zero via our work in Greenland, we started researching and decided to go with the Yeti 400. The Yeti 400 is incredibly practical for our use. We have followed the directions explicitly and (for our own reasons) have not let the power level drop below 80%. After this purchase we've invested in lighting as well and I'm here to say the light-a-life 350 light's (2 daisy chained together) and the Lighthouse 250 lantern have lit up our world. I can actually cook a meal in the kitchen without my headlamp. We've also upgraded a few of our other electronic devices to rechargeable products - all of which charge wonderfully off of the Yeti 400. Not only are the products we purchased excellent, but the customer service was as well. When I called and explained my husbands bike power set up and inquired if there was a way to safely charge the Yeti 400 from the bike, the fellow helping me took the time to talk with Goal Zero's engineers and sent me the proper adapter the next day. The adapter of course works perfectly and my husband is able to get his morning workout in and top off the Yeti 400 at the same time. We are very happy with our purchase.

Silvia

Originally posted at

2016-10-06T20:00:00

I bought the yeti 400 for my camper van. So stoked I did! It powers all my things effortlessly and quietly. I Highly recommend it.

PLTbilly

Originally posted at

2016-10-06T20:00:00

The Yeti 400s are not as durable as they might seem. I bought 14 and had to return 3. I have another that the AC will not work. I live in a very remote area in Alaska. The chaining cables do not work. The product can not be outside as the dew causes the Yeti to burn out. I am not giving up. I am purchasing one Yeti 1,250 and trying to only use the sun for power.

Klutuck D.

Originally posted at