Name: Goal Zero Yeti 1250 Solar Generator with Roll Cart
Brand: Goal Zero
SKU: GO31901
Price: 1399.95 USD
Availability: Discontinued
Rating: 4.1 (51 reviews)

Goal Zero Yeti 1250 Solar Generator with Roll Cart

Goal Zero Yeti 1250 Solar Generator

Goal Zero

Adorama

Home Electronics

Batteries & Power Supply

Power Supplies

Solar Power

Goal Zero Solar Power

Goal Zero Yeti 1250 Solar Generator 

Buy: Goal Zero Yeti 1250 Solar Generator with Roll Cart Type: Solar Power Unit

My wife and I bought one at Costco about 6 yrs ago. We charged it by Solar for 6 full hours. It worked for about 2 hrs.
Personally, I think we're due a refund (COMPLETE)!

We have had it for over a year and it worked great! Than the power button won't glow green any more. We tried to reset it by holding down the power and display button then the button blink green than red and than it shuts off while the display remains on. I've written numerous emails to the company who have not been able to fix this problem either. Don't know what to do next

Having  issues and no one from goal zero can help

I tried them in my car temp at 20 degrees they worked perfectly. I didn't use a power inverter to save energy. I used a 12-volt heater to heat the car before I drove home. To test the battery and system out. It stays in the car not getting charged. You just need to learn what you can do and not do to save energy. 3 months in a car cold winters are not bad.

I brought 4 of them used.

I have a Yeti 1250 to power my shop.  Its fed by 3 100 watt panels and does a great job.  We are currently under our second fire weather Public Safety Power Shutoff in Northern CA.  With the current input and weather conditions, we are able to adequately run a full size refrigerator, as well as our office (modem/router, printer, landline phone, etc) no problem.  I am writing this during the shutoff.  We have other GZ products for camping use, which are providing lighting and device charging.  The Yeti product line is fantastic.

Fantastic backup / emergency power

Got it for Christmas ;  The guts of this unit is just about 95 percent made in China.  It was a cool Christmas present for my sister who is environmentally conscious.
However in all honesty I will rely on my Honda Gas inverted generator.  Why?  Simple!   This unit has a lot of frustrations. I have a buddy who has one of these things ,  It is Very slow to charge.  Plus if you intend to go on an expedition type of trip for long term use, you will need to have tons more in equipment ; namely enough and larger solar panels to eliminate the pokey time it takes to charge.   So okay, if you want to depend on just this alone because you feel guilty for not thinking of our environment????   Be my guest.  
I would  probably wait another ten years to see how much better this type of stuff will be then, before I give up on my 4K$ Honda gas generator.  I fire it up and it does the work with ZERO frustrations or worry.   Last year I was in Arizona desert for nearly 60 days with my Honda Gen.  All I needed was enough gas and that was easy to deal with even with the 25 gallons of fuel.   Although as I stated from the top it will only be a "just in case"  back up.    For my in my own opinion wait ten years I bet it will be far more advanced than what it is now.   For those environmentalist activist....Sorry I am still sticking to old school Fuel.

Good for back up from Honda inverted generator.

Moved to the Adirondack Mountains and lived off the grid for 2.5 years in the old place while building the passive solar home with a house-sized array and battery bank.

We kept two of these chained in the attic, connected to two 100W panels, and they powered our laptops, washing machine, vacuum cleaner, headlamps, "Lighthouse" lamps rechargeable batteries, cell phones, etc.  Around winter solstice we sometimes had to top off the power with a generator, but overall these did the trick beautifully.  We're keeping them connected to the new home as a backup power source, just in case.

I just recommended one of these to a friend whose sister lives in Puerto Rico and has been without power since Irma washed through.

We lived for 2.5 years off the grid using these

I have had two 1250's now for three years and like many, as back up "just in case:
1 IF you leave them on their trickle charger and DO NOT use them (held for an emergency) after a year, the batteries will die and NOT take a charge. so now you have to buy new batteries (100's of dollars) which I DID..........
2) so with new batteries, and only 6 month wait, plugged in my wife's O2 Condenser which is one of many reasons why I had this......a friggin condenser.........LASTED FOUR HOURS
3) for WHAT I got them for (instead of storing propane and gas) they are not functional....maybe for the LED lights/little fans/1.7-3 CF mini refrigerator's (laugh at a full size) which is falsely or better, "intimated" to work for)
4) yes it will charge on the solar panels: I live in the desert: so sun is not a problem
unless you can set up some type of heliostat follower, be prepared to shift your panels ( I have the four panel 30W set ups x 2) every 30 minutes to max solar capture
5) if you live in an area where the weather changes rapidly be aware that the cables (and they are EXTRA) are very short so unless your indoors is right next door to where you are charging, you will have to have your YETI next or near the panels
I was going to buy the LIPO system hoping it would be better, BUT I think NOW for the money and non performance, I will look at TESLA units and roof Panels
NOW my situation is SPECIFIC for a home owner in situ, not a camper or remote 
location so take this review as it is meant to be

FINALLY I GET TO WRITE AN HONEST REVIEW

I bought this after Hurricane Irma, a few days before Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico.  Have been using it to power up a standard size fridge, a fan, and charge my electronics for over a month.  Still no power at my apartment but have been able to keep fridge on during the day with two 100w boulder briefcase solar panels and use the charged battery at night for two fans and charging cellphones and laptops.  Originally bought with one panel had to buy a second one since the only place where I am able to set the panels securely in my apartment only gets sunlight for about 5.5 hrs a day.  Thinking of buying a third panel (200w boulder briefcase) if power doesnxt vomes back in the next few weeks to be able to fully recharge the battery, keep fridge on during the night, and chain a 12v 100Ah battery.  Didn't expect to be out of power for such a long time but the Yeti 1250 has been a lifesaver.  Will recommend to anyone that lives on hurricane prone areas, specially those that live in apartments and can't have fuel generators.  For me it was a good investment since it has been over a month without power in which I haven't had to do long lines or buy fuel for a generator.

Excellent for emergency power backup

We have been using and living off the Yeti 1250 in our Westfalia for over a year now. We charge it with 2x Boulder 90 panels and get all the power we could possibly use. Our TruckFridge TF-49 runs off the Yeti 24/7 with enough power left over to charge our phones, camera batteries and more. 

Thanks for the great products that are so easy to use Goal Zero!

Provides all the #vanlife power we need!

This bad boy plus 4 more 100 Ah batteries and 2x285 watt PV panels for collection all day, works great powers a mini fridge all day, overhead LED lighting, TV blue ray player etc etc etc, only draw back is its heavy! good thing i keep stationary, great unit if not needing to be moved often.

Great unit, powering a cabin!

VERY satisfied so far. Like the fact I an keep it charged at home. With the solar options I can take it everywhere.

New to Goal Zero

Got this for a backup just in case we have power outage, This is the second purchase I have bought from Goal Zero and am very happy with the quality.

Great Product.

I purchased the 1250 directly from GZ.  Fast shipping and delivery, easy to assemble. Heavy and bulky so it needs the cart to wheel it around. I've only used it once to power up a blower at my storage unit and it worked fine for the short amount of time it was used.

Great Back-Up

I bought this generator a couple of years ago. It works well for what we have used it for, and we are satisfied with it. One thing I would change is to have the controls on the top with a waterproof cover over it. It weighs about 100 lbs, so it is not easy to tilt, and leaning over to read the controls at ground level is difficult and ridiculous. Also, my Mom uses it to run a portable oxygen concentrator when the power goes out, but she has trouble seeing the buttons. They are black on black with tiny print.  It looks spiffy, but for an older person, that is very difficult. Specifically, the Display light button is so difficult to see, even I didn't notice it for the first year, and it is intended to help see the screen. You cannot use it, if you cannot see it, so you had to work real hard to see the lcd screen. Overall though we have been happy with it. One thing though, you need to make sure it can run what you want. It is a good generator, but it will not run my Mom's household oxygen concentrator, but only the portable one.. You should check the wattage requirements of the equipment you want to use it for or you may be unpleasantly surprised.

Very Good Product

I don't write very many reviews as I have a busy life. I felt compelled to write a review of a recent incident. I will say I am a long time Goal Zero customer and have purchased several of their products. I still have an escape 150 that I use among various other Goal Zero products. I decided to buy the Yeti 1250 about two (2) years ago more or less. It operated flawlessly for that period of time, then there was a battery problem or so I thought. I called customer service and explained my situation. I was advised that this was beyond the warranty so I asked about ordering a new battery, (Goal Zero web site indicated there were no batterys available). The guy in customer service did locate one in their warehouse!!! I bought it and had it sent to me. I replaced the battery, easy battery replacement is another reason I buy Goal Zero products, my Yeti 1250 was back up to speed. I later found the old battery still has some life in it so I have been using it also. Well then a short period of time later the on and off switch started to act up and I had to hold it in for the Yeti 1250 to stay in the on position, not a good thing. I again called Goal Zero customer service. I spoke to Hunter about this problem with the power switch. We spoke for a period of time and I tried various maneuvers with the Yeti 1250 but to no avail. I was advised if I were to send the unit to Goal Zero they would send me a refurbished unit. I would have to pay for the shipping to their location...WOW my Yeti was no longer under a warranty but if I shipped it to Goal Zero on my dime, then Goal Zero would send me another Yeti 1250, refurbished mind you..... I received my Yeti 1250 and Goal Zero paid to ship it to me.... I am pleased to say once again Goal Zero has exceeded my expectations. My refurbished Yeti 1250 is operating just like it is a new one. Time will how long this Yeti 1250 will last. I do recommend one use the Yeti 1250 down to 60% at least once a month and then charge it to the max. Thanks again Goal Zero and to Hunter in customer service. Just my thoughts from the Banana belt of Montana.

Goal Zero Yeti 1250 and customer service

I bought this just fascinated with the technology. It arrived with its battery charged and ready to go. 24-hours later a rogue blizzard hit my town and knocked out power with temps around -40F. I plugged this beauty into my baseboard heating controller to keep my houses temperature up. In just 24 hours it saved me over 10k in frozen pipe damage. YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL COME IN HANDY!!! Just buy it...plug it in...shelve it...and save it for a rainy/snowy day. (Also amazing on camping trips...just saying.)

Pricey but saves you in the long run...big time!

I purchased two Yeti 1250's in February 2013. I purchased to have available in my Condominium to power small items like a fan, small tv, small electric cooler when power was lost. Followed directions plug into wall charger when not in use. 
June 2016? Less then three years since purchsae lost power turned them on, no power! Goal Zero is telling me I need to PURCHASE two new batteries ($219.00 each)!!!!!!!!
Will update if this changes!
Bruce B

Dissapointment, do not purchase!

Not a bad piece of equipment but not made for rugged field operations. Most fuses are internal and if you blow one, you have to take the top off and replace the fuses. The 1250 should have been engineered with re-settable circuit breakers **accessible from the outside of the case** because not everyone who takes this into the field is going to carry spare fuses. In my opinion, the cheap engineering makes this unit unreliable in an emergency.

Nice but has numerous shortcomings

I purchased the 1250 Yeti a couple of months ago. It's purpose is to keep power sustained to an electric medical bed for a hospice patient living at home. It has worked with outstanding performance and has given us a sense of security no matter what power outages may occur. Thank you Goal Zero.

Great back-up power.

While Goal Zero states the Yeti 1250 can be charged via home outlet, solar, or car adaptor, the unit does not come with the car adaptor--one must purchase it separately. Given the cost of the 1250 Yeti, I am disappointed that the car adapter is not included. I was off-grid with 4 30 solar panels and encountered a few days of rain. Solar panels did not work and no electricity since off-grid, I was about to load the unit in my car Yeti 1250 when I made day car trips--but to my great surprise, no car adapter was included. AMAZING. Lack of the adapter caused me to have to limit my use of the Yeti 1250. Goal Zero, shame on you for cutting costs on your most expensive unit--and it could have been a real problem for me if the rain continued, i.e., we would not have any light, electricity, etc, which was something I paid good earnest money to not do without.

No Car Adaptor with $1,600 Yeti

I bought this product for my camper, and it far exceeds my expectations. Runs everything and more. Stay up all night, and it charges back in the day. 5 stars!

Out of this World!

My family loves the lake. Here in Arizona it's sometimes the only relief you can get in the summer months from the heat. The problem we've had in the past is the people left on the beach are hot, and our food usually attracts bees. This last trip to the lake I brought my Yeti 1250 and 4 boulder 30 solar panels. I powered 2 large fans and a mini fridge. It was a hit! Cold drinks, no watered down coolers and a constant breeze from the fans. I'm totally sold on Goal Zero products. Everything about the company from the products to there tech support and customer service is awesome.

Yeti 1250

I bought my Yeti 1250 for a number of reasons. Where I live my power tends to go out often. With a home made cord I have, I can use my yeti to power my house, also when camping, it's great to charge laptops, phones, and other electronics. Even for lamps and fans. I highly recommend this product.

Perfect for camping and emergencies

When I read about this product it said I could run my refrigerator off it. So I purchased it since we were having a lot of power outages. I used it and it lasted 30 minutes. Then the battery wouldn't charge us all the way after that. Now it says small refrigerator. Would have been helpful before I purchased it.

Not as strong as I thought

Pros: great idea , good for power when no electricity , can be charged by solar , quiet , possible gas gen replacement
Cons: very heavy, watts meter does not register until over 50 watts , something not disclosed on any literature about the product , we actually thought it was broken until cust service told us

We live aboard a sailboat. When out, I needed a way to run our 110 V refrigerator when away from shore power. The Yeti 1250 plus solar panels has been the answer. Because of the curved surfaces, I purchased two relatively inexpensive Renogy 100 W flexible solar panels and wired them to the AP input of the Yeti 1250. The system works great, keeps the refrigerator going on extended trips away from the marina. In this application, the Yeti 1250 is functioning as an extra "house-bank" battery/controller. The Yeti 1250 works as advertised. It is a great product!

Perfect Addition to My Boat

I was reluctant to spend the money on this thing, but have purchased many other Goal Zero products and have been extremely satisfied with every one of them, so I took the plunge.

I use the Yeti for power outages which usually don't last long where I live. I am able to light the entire house with LED work lights and also run small appliances without any issues at all. I do not include the refrigerator or freezer because they are just too much of a draw. I have a regular gas generator if it comes to that, but I don't want to fire up the generator every time the lights blink out for an hour or two. The awesome thing about the Yeti is that there is no gas, fumes or noise to worry about, so for a short power outage it's perfect.

I also use the Yeti when I go camping in my car. The Yeti performs like a champ and again without gas, fumes or noise, so I'm able to keep it inside the car and don't have to run a generator outside or find a place to plug in. I can charge all of my gadgets, laptop and run small appliances without any trouble. This is much better than running these things off of the car battery and perhaps finding out in the morning that the car won't start. On a short overnight trip, I don't even bother bringing the solar panels because the capacity is enough to just change it when I get home.

After doing much research on these kinds of devices, I have discovered that some people are put off by the price and say that you can build something like it for a fraction of the cost. If you're an electrical engineer that might be a great option, but I'm a simple guy and don't have that kind of expertise. Others claim that you can buy some other product that's "just as good" for a fraction of the price. BEWARE and read some of the rest of the reviews for those products. They are not the same quality as the Goal Zero products. I base that statement on my own experience with many Goal Zero products not just the Yeti. Spending a little extra gives me ease of use, quality and reliability that I have come to love.

Charge it, use it, enjoy it, and repeat.

Cheap NO, Worth it YES

i bought this unit as i was an ir for the company and wanted to test what i was selling . I heard many claims that it runs this and that . my latest test was taking my dish system, blue ray, dvd and vhs sound system . these devices used 50 watts combined according to the output on the 1250, i computed this gave me 20 hrs with out sun support to re charge the system, it did run the system for 20 hrs, during that day my 90 watt and 6 30 watt panels input 67 watts that day, not enough to sustain the system for another 20 hrs, so i put it back on 110v , the next day a great Sun shown and put into the system 175 watts, however i did not put the system back on the 1250 why not, i figured out in 30 days that system cost me 50 cents , to pay for the 1299.99 system at 50cents a month. I decided to move to another thing,
my 17 foot travel trailer , yep i now use the 1250 as shore power , i do not get the microwave or air conditioner, however now i have the 90 watt bolder trying to re charge a deep cycle rv battery,

own a yeti 1250 and 400 semi good products

I bought this in December 2014, just in time in Jan 2015 our area got hit by high wind and my house list power, took out Yeti 1250 from the box and plugged in my fridge and some led lights, the Yeti ran for six hours straight from box, I am glad I bought this product

excellent products

Bought the 1250 about 18 months ago for power source in remote cabin (off the grid). Permanently installed 4 30 watt Boulder panels. Use for lighting (8 DC from Goalzero), electronics, power tools and small refrigerator. Works great for weekend use. We are extremely pleased.