Goal Zero Yeti 400 generator

[bornhunter]

Does anyone use one of these little battery generators? I used mine in elk camp this year (for a cpap) and it would drain the thing in about 5 hours. Then it would take about 3 to 4 gours to recharge it with my honda 2000 gen???

[Stein]

It has 400 watt hours, so depending on what you connect to it will determine how long it will last.  Same on the recharge, if your source has enough to supply the maximum the battery management system will accept it will charge fast.  If not, it will charge slower.

How much does your cpap draw?  I have no idea, but that seems like a very short battery life if that is all you are using it for.  I camped with a guy who used a much smaller one and it lasted a night and a half and it was much smaller than the one you are using.

[bornhunter]

It has 400 watt hours, so depending on what you connect to it will determine how long it will last.  Same on the recharge, if your source has enough to supply the maximum the battery management system will accept it will charge fast.  If not, it will charge slower.

How much does your cpap draw?  I have no idea, but that seems like a very short battery life if that is all you are using it for.  I camped with a guy who used a much smaller one and it lasted a night and a half and it was much smaller than the one you are using.

I believe its 90 watts. My cpap has a humidifier and heated hose so I know it will draw more power but I cant even make it one whole night. My hunting partner uses the same (yeti400) and only uses about 20% overnight. He runs a 12 volt power cord and I am using the factory 110 which I think draws more power. Its a real pain not making it through the night and then needing hours to recharge.

[Stein]

Yeah, the dc to ac conversion will use some power on top of what your machine uses.  If you dust it in 5 hours, you are using about 80 watts combined.

So, you need a bigger battery.  I would be tempted to use a simple deep cycle battery, if you have a boat you likely have one you are not using during hunting season.  You could get clever and charge it with your truck, most have 90-100A alternators and if you have a decent drive to your spot it might charge up during the roundtrip.

You would need a cpap that can run on DC or an small inverter which would result in some losses like you are seeing with your current setup.

If you are real clever, you might have two batteries on your rig with an isolator and simply run a cord to the tent and it would automatically charge when driving requiring no work on your part.

[timberfaller]

Yes I have a generator, not sure of the brand.   Tested it out with a table top fan, ran on high for almost 6 hours.  Just as the manual said it would.  Bought it for wife's curling iron, draw was to much for it, oh well, she'll just have to suffer at family camp!

[KFhunter]

Turn off your humidifier and hose, don't really need it anyways in a humid tent do ya?

Or just run the generator all night....I mean you're already running it 3-4 hours to recharge the goal zero

[JimmyHoffa]

Can you insulate it somehow, such that the battery stays warmer?  I assume it was getting cold during the night.

[bornhunter]

Turn off your humidifier and hose, don't really need it anyways in a humid tent do ya?

Or just run the generator all night....I mean you're already running it 3-4 hours to recharge the goal zero

I'm old, I hunt out of a camper. I am going to try that at home before my next hunt to Idaho in November. I shouldnt need the humidifier and if no moisture should not need the heated hose.
Thanks all.

[DRobnsn]

I don't have heat or humidifier but I have successfully ran my cpap with the 120v cord and small inverter off my truck cig lighter up to 3 nights without running the truck. However the truck does have dual batteries (diesel). I've been using this setup for about 7 or 8 years now. With the exception of a new cpap machine a few years back. I've done it this way in a tent and a rv. I'm currently working on installing a few 12v/usb power ports in the RV in the cupboards next to the bed. I picked up the correct 12v adpater cord for the cpap as well. Hopefully it will last as long as the truck does.   

I've been contemplating buying a generator like yours but will probably end up with the bigger 750 or 1000 to run a fridge and cpap when at camp.

[bornhunter]

I don't have heat or humidifier but I have successfully ran my cpap with the 120v cord and small inverter off my truck cig lighter up to 3 nights without running the truck. However the truck does have dual batteries (diesel). I've been using this setup for about 7 or 8 years now. With the exception of a new cpap machine a few years back. I've done it this way in a tent and a rv. I'm currently working on installing a few 12v/usb power ports in the RV in the cupboards next to the bed. I picked up the correct 12v adpater cord for the cpap as well. Hopefully it will last as long as the truck does.   

I've been contemplating buying a generator like yours but will probably end up with the bigger 750 or 1000 to run a fridge and cpap when at camp.

They now make a lithium 500 and a 1500.
PM sent.

[KFhunter]

I wonder if you can stick a new clean sponge in your humidifier reservoir to increase the surface area of the water and aid in humidification w/o running the heated base?

The sponge would need to be vertical so it stands out of the water, and allow for a wicking effect.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

[bornhunter]

I wonder if you can stick a new clean sponge in your humidifier reservoir to increase the surface area of the water and aid in humidification w/o running the heated base?

The sponge would need to be vertical so it stands out of the water, and allow for a wicking effect.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

Will have to ask about that.

[scotta]

My CPAP runs off of 12 volts dc . The 120 vac power supply coverts it to 12 volts dc . I found a similar plug and cut the cord off and hooked it directly to a deep cycle battery . If you have a volt meter just check the DC voltage coming out of your power supply . Then before plugging in the new cord off the battery make sure the voltage is the correct polarity ( reads the same as off of your power supply ) Tip of the connector is should be the positive connection . This would last several days with needing a charge. I’ve hard wired mine to my 12 volt system in my trailer and it works just like home .

[dmv9]

I run my cpap from a 12v home alarm battery (EXP1250). I've been able to get about 2 nights with it. I bought another power cord and then cut the leads so I could attach it to the battery.

[Calvin Rayborn]

Totally gear section