Joined
·
641 Posts
I'm thinking about installing lithium in my camper build mainly because we'd like to use an induction cooktop and electric kettle so we don't have to carry propane. I have done extensive research on inverter chargers that support lithium only to find that they are very expensive. I was looking at a victron energy setup with a 30amp mppt, 2000 watt inverter and 90ah lithium battery and it was $4500. However I just found out about the goal zero yeti 1400 lithium (around 110amp battery at 12v) for $2000. I know a lot of people hate on goal zero, but this seems to be a decent price to get into lithium as you get the battery, solar controller and inverter all in one. However the goal zero has some BIG differences compared to other build it yourself options:
What are everyone's thoughts? Here is a link to the Yeti 1400. I know the list is long if things it does not do, but it does have an attractive price.
- The lithium cells on the goal zero are NMC which are only good to about 500 cycles were LiFePo4 which should be good for around 3000 cycles. Unknown price for replacement battery.
- The solar charger controller is PWM and not MPPT. I'd only be using 300watt solar so I'm not sure if the difference in the controller is going to make a huge difference, but it's weird as the old yeti 1250 had an MPPT. I guess it's a way of cutting cost and hoping no one would notice.
- The inverter is only 1500watt. We plan on using induction cook top so we don't have to carry propane so this limits our options. Also my wife's kettle is 1500watt so I'm not sure if that'll work or not.
- No fast charging from the alternator. Most lithiums batteries have a BMS that can take a charge from an alternator.
- No fast charging from shore power. Since this isn't really an inverter charger, it can only accept a slow AC wall charger. It takes 25 hours to charge with the AC wall charger!
- No battery temp sensor. Lithium doesn't like cold charging. The system I was looking at had a battery sensor and would not charge if below freezing. Goal Zero tells you to put it in a cooler to keep it insulated....yea, it's on the product page.
- Not really expandable, at least not yet.
- No remote display to turn on or off the inverter or monitor solar or battery levels. This kinda sinks because I wanted the battery/inverter hidden under a bench.
- System is all in one. If there is a failure, it's most likely the entire system would be down.
What are everyone's thoughts? Here is a link to the Yeti 1400. I know the list is long if things it does not do, but it does have an attractive price.