Combination Solar Charging w/ AC backup
I have a Yeti 400 Lithium and a Boulder 100 and am hoping to use this to power an 18W pond aerator, roughly 24x7 (but with 30 minute breaks every 8 hours or so). Even with the breaks, we don't get that much sun in Michigan, so I expect the drain on the Yeti 400 to be enough to deplete it every day. I am looking for a device that can use Solar charging when available, but fall back to the AC adapter when needed.
Perhaps a 3rd-party AC adapter that has an input for the Boulder 100 and can intelligently switch between solar and AC?
Perhaps a simple switching device with two Yeti compatible inputs and one output, using a timer to switch to AC in the evening and back to Solar in the morning?
Ideally, I'd like to take advantage of the sun when it is out and run my load off AC only when the sun is not. For example, once the Yeti 400 is fully charged, then my load would be running off the AC adapter when the sun is down.
Any suggestions?
Comments
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Hi @AEtherScythe,
Since this is our old Yeti lithium battery, you can actually use the 4 X 8mm combiner to HPP connector to connect both the solar panel and the 5A power supply at the same time. You then use the HPP to 8mm cable to convert to the 8mm connection that the Yeti 400 Li needs to connect the combiner cable. The power supply and panel will charge the Yeti at the same time while the sun is up. Once the sun is down, the panel will stop charging the Yeti but the power supply will continue charging it. Link for these two cables are below.
If you are looking for the power supply to stop inputting power while the panel is inputting power, this will be a little difficult. Your suggestion of making a switch on a timer is the best solution but this switch will have to be custom made. It isn't something you will be able to find, so you may need to put it together yourself.
https://www.goalzero.com/collections/solar-accessories/products/high-power-port-to-8mm-connector
