Voltage drop on console AC outlet

[SlickRickMotoADV]

I have a Goal Zero Yeti 500x that I have wired under my floor, which is wired to charge from the AC port when the Jeep is running.

When I first put it in there, I used the 60W charger. All was well. Eventually I upgraded to the 120W charger to charge twice as fast, knowing the Jeep AC outlet is rated for 125W.

When I run the 120W charger from the Jeep AC outlet, it puts out about 45W. If I plug it into my home outlet, I supplies the full 120W.

I spoke to Goal Zero, and they stated this:

"I've talked this over with some of our engineering techs and while they don't have enough information to know for sure, they think that you may be getting close to the 125W limit on the inverter in your Jeep. When this happens, the Jeep throttles it's output, of the PSU of the Yeti 500X sees the voltage sag from the power throttle. This causes reduced output, and creates a similar reaction from the MPPT charge controller in the Yeti 500X which increases the effect. Basically, the inverter and the MPPT are reacting to a specific set of circumstances to create a much lower input to the Yeti power station than they would under other circumstances."

An electrical friend of mine agreed with this, but both what Goal Zero and my friend said are a bit over my head.
Is there anything that can be done to get the Jeep to supply the full 125W to the outlet or is this just how it is?

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[GATORB8]

Why not charge DC?

I don't doubt the OEM inverter is throttling, the one in my Ram can't even charge my laptop.

 

[SlickRickMotoADV]

Why not charge DC?

I don't doubt the OEM inverter is throttling, the one in my Ram can't even charge my laptop.

I also charge DC too. I have a whole Redarc system too. Specifically, in wondering about this AC wattage issue though. Is there anything that can be done to get it to reliably put out 120W?

 

[GATORB8]

I also charge DC too. I have a whole Redarc system too. Specifically, in wondering about this AC wattage issue though. Is there anything that can be done to get it to reliably put out 120W?

It's not blowing a fuse, so it has to be the module. Could always install a better inverter wired to the battery.

 

[lashlee]

I read somewhere that the OEM inverter is rated for 60-70 watts reliably. If AC is what you want to charge with, I would look at a suitable aftermarket inverter, or use the DC version and skip the inverter altogether.

 

[Zandcwhite]

Seems like power loss for no reason charging a DC battery from a DC vehicle electrical system using a DC to AC inverter and then an AC to DC inverter? Yes you could upgrade the inverter, but power losses are generally a %. The more you increase the watt output the more power you are wasting. Their 12v charge cord has a 15A fuse making it 180 watt, it should charge both faster and more efficiently.

 

[THAW]

The Goal Zero 120W power supply has an input rating of 3 amps. The max the Jeep AC outlet can handle is less than 1.5.

Like @Zandcwhite suggested, the Goal Zero 12V charger (10A output rating) in conjunction with the Jeep's 12V outlets should provide more wattage.

 

[Zandcwhite]

The Goal Zero 120W power supply has an input rating of 3 amps. The max the Jeep AC outlet can handle is less than 1.5.

Like @Zandcwhite suggested, the Goal Zero 12V charger (10A output rating) in conjunction with the Jeep's 12V outlets should provide more wattage.

Technical not if the Jeep 120v actually consistently put out 1.5A, 1.5x 120v would be 180 watts. The OP is only seeing 45W charging. The combination of the Jeep throttling output and the goal zero throttling based off the low input and inefficiencies built in to DC to AC to DC conversion is resulting in low change rates. The fact that their 120w charger calls for a 3A input speaks to just how inefficient that conversion is. That's 360w AC input needed for a 120w DC charger. Instead of wasting 2/3 of the power inverting I'd gladly take the 120W DC charging option.

 

[THAW]

Technical not if the Jeep 120v actually consistently put out 1.5A, 1.5x 120v would be 180 watts. The OP is only seeing 45W charging. The combination of the Jeep throttling output and the goal zero throttling based of the low input and inefficiencies built in to DC to AC to DC conversion is resulting in low change rates. The fact that their 120w charger calls for a 3A input speaks to just how inefficient that conversion is. That's 360w AC input needed for a 120w DC charger. Instead of wasting 2/3 of the power inverting I'd gladly take the 120W DC charging option.

Probably. It's unclear to me if the power supply has any technical issue with input of less than 3A; I was just pointing out the rating isn't supported by the Jeep AC outlet.

And I agree, the input/output ratings suggest a terrible efficiency.

 

[SlickRickMotoADV]

The Goal Zero 120W power supply has an input rating of 3 amps. The max the Jeep AC outlet can handle is less than 1.5.

Like @Zandcwhite suggested, the Goal Zero 12V charger (10A output rating) in conjunction with the Jeep's 12V outlets should provide more wattage.

This is the info I came here for. Thank you.

 

[SlickRickMotoADV]

Now to find my 60W charger (where the HELL did I put that?!) so I can return this 120W to REI (thank god for 1 year returns).

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