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OTRA15 · 03-11-2020, 02:26 PM

Thanks for that good feedback.

Peter

[Click on the orange arrow in the quote to see the full post over there]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pahaska

As I posted earlier, I have the 40-amp output adapter from my Goal Zero 1000 tied backward through heavy wires to previously unused fuse 15 to the input bus for 12v fuses. This allows me to feed all 12v users in the coach without conversion losses.

This morning, I took a series of readings with the GZ turned on and the master switch at the door turned off. Here are some of my readings:
<snip>
. . .

Pahaska · 03-13-2020, 01:00 PM

I copied this image out of the 2018 User Manual and Photoshopped it to be printed and pasted into my user manual. It shows my Goal Zero hookup to the 12v fuse panel. It may answer questions for a future owner of my AI

This may serve to answer some questions I have received via private messages.

Pahaska · 03-13-2020, 08:46 PM

When I was testing the Goal Zero with the master switch by the door turned off, I noticed an odd reading. The coach was still plugged in externally and the inverter was still charging the batteries. The Blue Sea battery manager switch was showing that the two batteries were connected. I was in deep shade, so the solar was doing nothing.

With the master switch off, the coach batteries were reading 12.3v while the start battery was showing the expected 13+ volts. Yet, the two batteries were linked together by the battery manager.

When I turned the master switch back on, the coach batteries jumped to 13+ like the start battery.

During the shutoff, the touch panels were working correctly. I had this happen once before when I was parked in the sun for a while with the master switch off. The battery manager was still connecting the batteries since I was getting a good solar charge, yet the coach battery was showing low. I'm wondering whether it is some fluke in the touch panel circuitry.

Any ideas.

Pahaska · 03-19-2020, 12:13 PM

I'm sequestering solo in a state park for a few nights. Thought I would take a few Goal Zero readings while I'm here.

Shut off main disconnect and turned on Goal Zero at 10:30 last night. Only fridge and freezer running, plus a few lights while I prepared for bed. Went back to shore power at 8:30 this morning.

Goal Zero was down 39%, which is about what I expected. Low temp outside last night was predicted to be 70 degrees, so no heating or fans were running.
Tonight, I'll turn off the freezer and repeat.

Way too cloudy to get any use out of the solar panel. Plugging it in just seems to confuse the charging rate from the 120v charger. I have the fast AC charger, but I didn't bring it with me. I'm getting 72 amps through the built-in AC charger, running through the MPPT port. I only get 61 amps if I plug it in directly.

OTRA15 · 03-19-2020, 12:21 PM

Thank you for your ongoing updates of the GZ 1000. Not sure if you have room for a larger unit, but have you ever thought of going to the GZ 3000?

https://www.goalzero.com/shop/portab...r-station-app/
https://www.airforums.com/forums/f24...-a-177828.html

Thanks,

Peter

PS -- FYI/FWIW for any newcomers to the Goal Zero discussions here -- other threads:

https://www.google.com/search?q=Goal...=airforums.com

Pahaska · 03-20-2020, 04:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OTRA15

Thank you for your ongoing updates of the GZ 1000. Not sure if you have room for a larger unit, but have you ever thought of going to the GZ 3000?

Way too big and way too heavy. No need for additional functionality.

OTRA15 · 03-20-2020, 07:15 AM

Thanks

Pahaska · 03-20-2020, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OTRA15

Thanks

I was on the road when I answered you rather tersely. I should have mentioned that there is a big difference in the space available in my Interstate GT and your Flying Cloud. Perhaps, if I still had my Classic 28, I would have chosen one of the larger GZs. Also, at 87, the GZ 1000 is plenty for me to schlep around.

OTRA15 · 03-20-2020, 05:32 PM

Thank you for the details, "Sir" . . .

Well done, indeed!

Peter

rolitsky · 03-21-2020, 07:38 AM

Thanks for your messages. I just got my Yeti 1000 for my 2016 GT EXT and at 73, 45 pounds is surely heavy enough! I did the same experiment with the same results with the refrigerator and freezer powered by the Yeti. I'm going to try just the refrigerator OR freezer this time. I'd like to remain off grid for at least 2-3 days at a time.
Richard

Tronadora · 03-21-2020, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pahaska

Way too cloudy to get any use out of the solar panel. Plugging it in just seems to confuse the charging rate from the 120v charger. I have the fast AC charger, but I didn't bring it with me. I'm getting 72 amps through the built-in AC charger, running through the MPPT port. I only get 61 amps if I plug it in directly.

John,
I think you meant to say 72, and 61, watts... not amps... ?
Thanks for publishing your wiring diagram.

Pahaska · 03-21-2020, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tronadora

John,
I think you meant to say 72, and 61, watts... not amps... ?
Thanks for publishing your wiring diagram.

Correct. I do know better, having designed electronics for 35 years for IBM.

steilkurve · 03-26-2020, 03:02 PM

Interesting thread.

Just got a Yeti 1400 that I intend to use as generator for extra power while boon docking in our 2020 Bambi 22FB. Question, anyone knows I could use an existing Zamp solar briefcase to charge the Yeti? It's got its own controller so I'd have to bypass it I guess but more importantly, it's an SAE connector. Could just buy an 8mm cable and plug it directly into the panel, skipping the Zamp controller?

Rig Rat · 03-26-2020, 06:37 PM

I got this from another forum member who has a zamp suitcase and used Anderson connectors to bypass the built in Zamp controller to charge his GZ.
He also wanted the flexibility to also charge his house batteries. Thus this wiring configuration.
He also had a hand drawn wiring schematic with the photo as well

Just found his link; http://www.airforums.com/forums/show...69#post2282169