What is Pass-Through Charging?
Pass-through charging is a feature that allows a power station to charge its internal battery and connected devices simultaneously from an external power source. This means that you can plug your power station into a wall outlet or a solar panel, and then use it to charge your phone, laptop, camera, or any other device that has a USB or AC port. This way, you don’t have to wait for the power station to be fully charged before using it, or worry about draining its battery while charging your devices.
Pass-through charging is especially useful for situations where you need to keep your devices powered up for long periods of time, such as camping trips, road trips, emergencies, or remote work. You can also use pass-through charging to create a backup power system for your home or office, by connecting your power station to a solar panel and then using it to run essential appliances like lights, fans, routers, or laptops.
How Does Pass-Through Charging Work?
Pass-through charging works by using a smart circuit that regulates the flow of electricity between the external power source, the internal battery, and the connected devices. The circuit ensures that the power station receives enough power to charge its battery while also providing enough power to charge the devices. The circuit also prevents overcharging or overheating of the battery or the devices.
The amount of power that the power station can deliver to the devices depends on the capacity and output of the external power source. For example, if you use a wall outlet that provides 100W of power, and your power station has a 100W input port, then you can use up to 100W of power to charge your devices. However, if you use a solar panel that provides 50W of power, and your power station has a 100W input port, then you can only use up to 50W of power to charge your devices.
The amount of time that it takes to charge the power station and the devices also depends on the capacity and output of the external power source. For example, if you use a wall outlet that provides 100W of power, and your power station has a 500Wh battery capacity and a 100W input port, then it will take about 5 hours to fully charge the power station. However, if you use a solar panel that provides 50W of power, and your power station has a 500Wh battery capacity and a 100W input port, then it will take about 10 hours to fully charge the power station.
What are the Benefits of Pass-Through Charging?
Pass-through charging offers several benefits for users who need portable and reliable power for their devices. Some of the benefits are:
- Convenience: You don’t have to wait for the power station to be fully charged before using it, or worry about draining its battery while charging your devices. You can use your power station as soon as you plug it into an external power source.
- Efficiency: You don’t waste any electricity by charging the power station and the devices separately. You can use all the available electricity from the external power source to charge both the power station and the devices at the same time.
- Flexibility: You can use any external power source that matches the input port of your power station, such as a wall outlet or a solar panel. You can also use any device that matches the output ports of your power station, such as USB or AC devices.
- Safety: You don’t risk damaging your battery or your devices by overcharging or overheating them. The smart circuit protects them from any potential hazards.
Which Goal Zero Products Have Pass-Through Charging?
Not all Goal Zero products have pass-through charging capability. Only some of their newer models have this feature. Here are some of the Goal Zero products that have pass-through charging:
- Goal Zero Yeti 200X: This is one of the smallest and lightest portable power stations from Goal Zero, with a 187Wh battery capacity and a 120W AC inverter. It has a 60W USB-C PD port, two USB-A ports, a 12V car port, and a 6mm port. It can be charged by a wall outlet, a car charger, or a solar panel. It has pass-through charging for both USB and AC devices.
- Goal Zero Yeti 500X: This is a compact and versatile portable power station from Goal Zero, with a 505Wh battery capacity and a 300W AC inverter. It has the same ports as the Yeti 200X, plus an additional USB-C PD port. It can be charged by the same methods as the Yeti 200X. It has pass-through charging for both USB and AC devices.
- Goal Zero Yeti 1000X: This is a powerful and durable portable power station from Goal Zero, with a 983Wh battery capacity and a 1500W AC inverter. It has the same ports as the Yeti 500X, plus an additional 12V car port. It can be charged by the same methods as the Yeti 500X. It has pass-through charging for both USB and AC devices.
- Goal Zero Venture 30: This is a rugged and waterproof power bank from Goal Zero, with a 7800mAh battery capacity and two high-speed USB ports. It has a built-in micro-USB cable and a flashlight. It can be charged by a wall outlet or a solar panel. It has pass-through charging for USB devices.
FAQs
- Can I use pass-through charging with any external power source?
You can use pass-through charging with any external power source that matches the input port of your power station. For example, if your power station has an 8mm input port, you can use any external power source that has an 8mm output port, such as a wall charger or a solar panel.
- Can I use pass-through charging with any device?
You can use pass-through charging with any device that matches the output ports of your power station. For example, if your power station has a USB-C PD port, you can use any device that has a USB-C PD port, such as a phone or a laptop.
- Does pass-through charging affect the battery life of my power station?
Pass-through charging does not affect the battery life of your power station. The smart circuit ensures that the battery is charged properly and safely, without overcharging or overheating it.
Conclusion
Pass-through charging is a feature that allows you to charge your power station and your devices at the same time from an external power source. It offers convenience, efficiency, flexibility, and safety for users who need portable and reliable power for their devices. Goal Zero is one of the leading brands that offer pass-through charging capability in some of their products, such as the Yeti X series and the Venture 30. If you’re looking for a portable power station that can charge your devices while being charged itself, you might want to consider Goal Zero products. They are designed to meet your power needs in any situation, whether you’re at home, on the road, or in the wild.
