If you own a Goal Zero power station or power bank, you might want to charge it on the go with your car’s 12V outlet. But is the Goal Zero car charger a reliable way to charge your devices? In this post, we’ll review the features, pros and cons of the Goal Zero car charger and help you decide if it’s worth buying.
The Goal Zero car charger is a cable that lets you safely and efficiently charge a Sherpa 100AC, Goal Zero Yeti X, Lithium, or Lead-Acid from a 12V source, featuring a protective 15A user-replaceable fuse. It’s compatible with most Goal Zero power stations and power banks, except for newer Sherpas that don’t have an 8mm input. It’s easy to use, fast, and affordable. However, it has some drawbacks such as limited availability, possible overheating, and reduced efficiency in cold weather.
Features of the Goal Zero Car Charger
The Goal Zero car charger has some notable features that make it a useful accessory for your Goal Zero products. Here are some of them:
- 12V male cigarette input: The car charger plugs into your car’s 12V outlet or cigarette lighter socket, which is available in most vehicles. You don’t need any adapters or converters to use it.
- 8mm output: The car charger has an 8mm output that connects to your Goal Zero power station or power bank’s input port. It supports not only the Goal Zero Yeti 150, 200X, 400, 400 Lithium, 1000, 1250, 1400, and 3000 power stations , but also the Sherpa 50, 100, and 100AC . Note that newer Sherpas don’t have an 8mm input and are not compatible.
- 15A user-replaceable fuse: The car charger has a protective 15A user-replaceable fuse that prevents damage to your car or your Goal Zero product in case of a short circuit or overload. You can easily replace the fuse if it blows with a standard automotive fuse.
- 120 x 2.5 x 1 in cord dimensions: The car charger has a long and flexible cord that measures 120 x 2.5 x 1 inches (304.8 x 6.35 x 2.54 cm). This gives you enough length and maneuverability to reach your Goal Zero product from your car’s outlet.
Pros and Cons of the Goal Zero Car Charger
The Goal Zero car charger has some advantages and disadvantages that you should consider before buying it. Here are some of them:
Pros
- Easy to use: The car charger is simple to use, with only one input and one output. You just plug it into your car’s outlet and your Goal Zero product’s input port, and it starts charging automatically.
- Fast: The car charger can charge your Goal Zero product faster than using a wall outlet or a solar panel, depending on the model and the battery level. For example, it can charge a Yeti 200X in about 4 hours, or a Sherpa 100AC in about 3 hours.
- Affordable: The car charger costs only $69.99, which is a reasonable price for a reliable charging accessory. You can also save money on electricity bills by using your car’s power instead of a wall outlet.
Cons
- Limited availability: One of the drawbacks of the car charger is that it has limited availability. You can only find it on Goal Zero’s website under the Regulated Car Charger for Lithium Yeti category, and it might be out of stock or backordered at times. You might not be able to buy it from other retailers or online platforms.
- Possible overheating: Another drawback of the car charger is that it might overheat if you use it for too long or in hot weather conditions. This might affect its performance and lifespan, or even damage your car or your Goal Zero product. You need to monitor the temperature of the car charger and unplug it if it gets too hot.
- Reduced efficiency in cold weather: A third drawback of the car charger is that it might lose efficiency in cold weather conditions. This might affect its charging speed and output, or even prevent it from charging at all. You need to keep the car charger warm and avoid using it in freezing temperatures.
Conclusion
The Goal Zero car charger is a cable that lets you safely and efficiently charge a Sherpa 100AC, Goal Zero Yeti X, Lithium, or Lead-Acid from a 12V source, featuring a protective 15A user-replaceable fuse. It’s compatible with most Goal Zero power stations and power banks, except for newer Sherpas that don’t have an 8mm input. It’s easy to use, fast, and affordable.
However, it has some drawbacks such as limited availability, possible overheating, and reduced efficiency in cold weather. You have to be careful with the temperature and the fuse of the car charger, and check its compatibility with your Goal Zero product before buying it.
We hope this post helped you learn more about the Goal Zero car charger and decide if it’s a reliable way to charge your devices. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below. Thanks for reading!
