New Yeti link charging when van is off
I recently had the updated Yeti Link installed to charge my GoalZero 3000x off of the alternator when running. When I turn on the switch that connects the Link to the alternator it begins charging with the van not running. Total input starts at about 7-800 watts and then dials back it will fluctuate back and forth from lower watts to higher. I have no idea what is going on here for now I am keeping it turned off as I don't want to kill my van battery. I'm hitting the road next week and hope to have this resolved. Any ideas or suggestions? I have not yet tried connecting to the new Link via bluetooth and wonder if it just needs and update.
Comments
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Do you have the old link with the round brass connectors in the back or the new on with the large grey connector pigtail?
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Did you get this figured out? This is what mine is doing. Updated all the firmware on the unit and link, and ran all the new wiring harnesses correctly and it's pulling while the van is off as well.
I'm wondering if there's a setting somewhere that "car mode" somehow needs to be enabled so it knows when to pull power and when not to?
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Hello @kdog and @sagethevan ,
There is indeed a CAR mode and TANK mode. The simple answer is that Tank mode will drain from a battery until it reaches around 10 V, give or take. This can be too low for your vehicle to start. Car mode will not start pulling from a battery until it detects a voltage of about 13.3 or higher and will keep draining until it reaches around 12.6V. This is generally still enough for most vehicles to start on unless the battery is extremely old.
To swap between the two, please try one of the following:
- Using the Goal Zero App, connect to your Yeti (must be a wifi compatible unit) and in the Device Settings Menu, open up the Connected Accessories page. There will be an option for the Link and the Car/Tank mode switch is in there. You will need to save to ensure it stays there as just exiting will revert your changes.
- Using a paper clip or similar sized object, there is a button on the top right edge of the Link Module about 2/3 of the way from the front. Push the paper clip in so you hear a click. Repeat 4 times with about half a second in between each push. Each time you push the button, the lights will all flash off and on. Once you have pushed it a fourth time, you will see either of the two following light sequences.
- CAR MODE LIGHT: all 4 lights will flash 3-4 more times
- TANK MODE LIGHT: all lights will flash one by one from bottom to top in a scrolling pattern. It will repeat a second time.
It sometimes can help to cycle between the two modes to familiarize yourself with the two light patterns and to ensure it is in the mode you want it to be on.
