Quick Answer
Boulder panels typically charge Goal Zero Yeti power stations at a rate of around 12-20 volts and 1-2 amps, resulting in a charging speed of 10-40 watts. In contrast, using an AC outlet can charge the same power station at a rate of 120 volts and 5-15 amps, resulting in a charging speed of 600-1800 watts.
Understanding Boulder Panel Charging Speed
When using Boulder panels to charge a Goal Zero Yeti power station, the charging speed is limited by the panel’s voltage and current output. A typical Boulder panel might produce 12 volts and 2 amps, resulting in a charging speed of 24 watts. To increase the charging speed, you can connect multiple Boulder panels in parallel, but this can also increase the system’s complexity and cost.
Charging Speed Comparison
To put this into perspective, charging a Goal Zero Yeti 300 lithium battery from 0 to 100% using a Boulder panel and a 20-watt charging speed would take around 15-20 hours. In contrast, using an AC outlet and a 1200-watt charging speed would take around 2.5-3 hours to charge the same battery. This significant difference in charging speed highlights the importance of choosing the right charging method for your specific needs.
Optimizing Charging Speed for Overlanding and Car Camping
For overlanding and car camping applications, it’s often essential to minimize charging time to ensure you have enough power for your needs. In this case, using an AC outlet to charge your Goal Zero Yeti power station is usually the fastest and most efficient option. However, if you’re in a remote area without access to an AC outlet, using multiple Boulder panels in parallel can help increase your charging speed and reduce the time spent waiting for your battery to charge.
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