josh2a wrote:If it can be plugged in at all times, is there smart/trickle charging intelligence in it that will not prematurely age the battery? Also, from the product's page (https://www.goalzero.com/shop/p/16//2:6/), there is a broken link
(http://www.goalzero.com/pdf/HowtoReplace.pdf) which implies that the battery is field replaceable. Is the battery field replaceable? If yes, what are the specifications for the replacement battery and the procedure? Thanks and BCNU//jle

Yes there is an on-board charge/smart controller that monitors the power in and out, and it is an AGM battery, so it is not damaged by having it plugged in all the time. It is field replaceable, meaning if you had a replacement battery that we provide, you can change it out easily with a phillips screw driver. The battery is a 14 AmpHr battery. I'll get with out engineers to see what the dimensions are. Sorry, I didn't have that info right in front of me.

If the Goal Zero guy is still around, will a Nomad 7 be able to charge this? I realize it would take a while, but what about, for example, if it was 50% depleted, could I charge it with the Nomad for a few hours and get it back to say 80%?

goalzero wrote:The shelf life is about 6 months. We (GOAL ZERO) recommend that you have it plugged into some type of power source all the time. So, when the power goes out, or you are loading up the car to go camping, you know you have a full battery, and you don't have to worry about the shelf life. If you cannot have it plugged in, we recommend that you recharge it every two to three months to maintain it properly.

Thanks for dropping in, Goal Zero!

Homedepot sells 4.5Ah 6v lead batteries for $20, so this thing is selling at close to the cost of the batteries ($62) purchased at your local homedepot.

Pretty package, but it lacks jumper cables to use on a car.

Could this power pack run a home sump pump during a power outage?

rufusrex wrote:If the Goal Zero guy is still around, will a Nomad 7 be able to charge this? I realize it would take a while, but what about, for example, if it was 50% depleted, could I charge it with the Nomad for a few hours and get it back to say 80%?

I am around, and I am a guy! You had a 50-50 shot at that gender assignment! The Nomad 7 is not designed to recharge this battery because we regulated the voltage down to 12V and this is a 12V battery. You need a power source that is a higher voltage to get a faster charge, like a Boulder 15 or any of our other Nomad Panels. It would charge it from 50% to 80% in about a day from a Nomad 7, and you would need an adapter cable. If you choose to do that, please contact us and we'll get you the correct cable (GOAL ZERO SKU # 90807A). I know Woot.com is offering the Boulder 15 at a killer price as an add on to this purchase! Thanks for being a GOAL ZERO champion!

chipfiev wrote:Could this power pack run a home sump pump during a power outage?

If the Sump Pump is powered from 12V or 110 AC (wall outlet) and draws less than 80 watts, it would run from this Power Pack during a power outage. How long it would run depends on how much power the sump pump requires, and how long the sump pump runs for during its cycles. This Power Pack was designed to run Laptop size devices down.

Saw this at Costco last week. I looked pretty good but you can't get this by itself normally. You usually have to by a large solar panel (large as in not really that portable but still carriable). This is a good deal if you camp a lot. These things hold a lot of charge.

geo8rge wrote:Homedepot sells 4.5Ah 6v lead batteries for $20, so this thing is selling at close to the cost of the batteries ($62) purchased at your local homedepot.

Pretty package, but it lacks jumper cables to use on a car.

What you are getting with the GOAL ZERO Escape 150 is a 14Ah battery that is easy to use. So you don't have to figure out how to use the batteries you buy from Home Depot. I'm guessing you would have to buy a USB adapter and A/C inverter from Home Depot to get the same functionality with the batteries you refer to. We think its a pretty package too!

I think I'm going to pull the trigger on this one. My apartment building doesn't have AC outlets outside, which I need to run a Dremel, buffer, vacuum cleaner etc for my car.

goalzero wrote:I am around, and I am a guy! You had a 50-50 shot at that gender assignment! The Nomad 7 is not designed to recharge this battery because we regulated the voltage down to 12V and this is a 12V battery. You need a power source that is a higher voltage to get a faster charge, like a Boulder 15 or any of our other Nomad Panels. It would charge it from 50% to 80% in about a day from a Nomad 7, and you would need an adapter cable. If you choose to do that, please contact us and we'll get you the correct cable (GOAL ZERO SKU # 90807A). I know Woot.com is offering the Boulder 15 at a killer price as an add on to this purchase! Thanks for being a GOAL ZERO champion!

Where is woot.com offering the Boulder 15? I don't see it on the many Woot! sites, but they're much more cluttered these days :| Thanks and BCNU//jle

Where is the Boulder 15 on sale at woot? I bought the Escape 150 this morning, I'd be all over that Boulder 15.

goalzero wrote:I am around, and I am a guy! You had a 50-50 shot at that gender assignment! The Nomad 7 is not designed to recharge this battery because we regulated the voltage down to 12V and this is a 12V battery. You need a power source that is a higher voltage to get a faster charge, like a Boulder 15 or any of our other Nomad Panels. It would charge it from 50% to 80% in about a day from a Nomad 7, and you would need an adapter cable. If you choose to do that, please contact us and we'll get you the correct cable (GOAL ZERO SKU # 90807A). I know Woot.com is offering the Boulder 15 at a killer price as an add on to this purchase! Thanks for being a GOAL ZERO champion!

I love my Escape 150 Power Pack! I have 3 of the 3 watt lights the speakers and several of the usb lights. It is a great buy for anyone who needs power for camping or if the power goes out. Great price!!

Leprechaun7 wrote:Where is the Boulder 15 on sale at woot? I bought the Escape 150 this morning, I'd be all over that Boulder 15.

I'm sorry! They must have sold out of them this morning. They had a limited number of them. I spoke too soon. Please forgive!

josh2a wrote:Where is woot.com offering the Boulder 15? I don't see it on the many Woot! sites, but they're much more cluttered these days :| Thanks and BCNU//jle

I really messed up on that post! They had a limited number of them for sale, and it looks like they already sold out of them! Sorry!

DAHH!! I bought one this morning and didn't see that either! Rats!!

goalzero wrote:I really messed up on that post! They had a limited number of them for sale, and it looks like they already sold out of them! Sorry!

chipfiev wrote:Could this power pack run a home sump pump during a power outage?

Typical AC sump pump uses like 500 watts (1 hp = 750watts). You should look at a DC back up pump sold at most home stores.

goalzero wrote:I really messed up on that post! They had a limited number of them for sale, and it looks like they already sold out of them! Sorry!

Anybody remember how much they were on sale for, while they were available? I want to know how hard I should kick myself!

goalzero wrote:I really messed up on that post! They had a limited number of them for sale, and it looks like they already sold out of them! Sorry!

How about offering us a deal on the boulder 15 (or the Escape 30), maybe a coupon code? I've already got the Nomad 7 and battery kit/led light and love it. Picked up this battery this morning and would love to pick up a larger panel at a great price for it.

GoalZero guy - do you know what the part number is and the specs for the car adapter cable that you can charge the battery in the Escape 150 with? The output car adapter cable comes with the kit but not the charger.

rtfirefly wrote:Anybody remember how much they were on sale for, while they were available? I want to know how hard I should kick myself!

There're still listed at $79 I think.

I'm more disappointed that Woot didn't list the link to supported solar panel and/or mention if the cables are included for them.

happycamper666 wrote:GoalZero guy - do you know what the part number is and the specs for the car adapter cable that you can charge the battery in the Escape 150 with? The output car adapter cable comes with the kit but not the charger.

That SKU is 90826A.

chrisgohlke wrote:How about offering us a deal on the boulder 15 (or the Escape 30), maybe a coupon code? I've already got the Nomad 7 and battery kit/led light and love it. Picked up this battery this morning and would love to pick up a larger panel at a great price for it.

Check out Woot soon for a killer deal on the Boulder 15!

goalzero wrote:Check out Woot soon for a killer deal on the Boulder 15!

My credit card it anxiously waiting! Thanks!

Been all over the Goal Zero site looking up adapters and solar panels. Already ordered a car chord to charge the escape 150 while getting to the camp site.

Definitely interested in a solar panel like the Boulder 30 suit case. That looks like an awesome setup for car camping.

ObsessiveCompulsive wrote:You'll see more Goal Zero coming soon, possibly even the Boulder 15.

Thank you for the feedback and let us know what you would like to see in the future. We aim to please!

Holy Smoke!
Mine is already out for delivery! This is the fastest woot shipping i've ever seen!

Edited: Issue addressed and remedied by Goal Zero.

ObsessiveCompulsive wrote:You'll see more Goal Zero coming soon, possibly even the Boulder 15.

Thank you for the feedback and let us know what you would like to see in the future. We aim to please!

Hurricane season is here and I'd be interested in buying a couple of the Goal Zero 350 Power Packs and some solar panels. Hoping that Woot decides to carry more of their products.

Edited: Issue addressed and remedied by Goal Zero.

goalzero wrote:I am around, and I am a guy! You had a 50-50 shot at that gender assignment! The Nomad 7 is not designed to recharge this battery because we regulated the voltage down to 12V and this is a 12V battery. You need a power source that is a higher voltage to get a faster charge, like a Boulder 15 or any of our other Nomad Panels. It would charge it from 50% to 80% in about a day from a Nomad 7, and you would need an adapter cable. If you choose to do that, please contact us and we'll get you the correct cable (GOAL ZERO SKU # 90807A). I know Woot.com is offering the Boulder 15 at a killer price as an add on to this purchase! Thanks for being a GOAL ZERO champion!

Hope the goalzero guy is still here. Based on your response I contacted support to get the correct cable. I went to the page for the product sku you mentioned and made sure I was getting the correct thing. The support person there contradicted the info you provided here. Here is the question I posed and the answer they provided, which are now listed on the support page for the sku'd product you recommended. -

Q:"I want to confirm that this cable will connect a Nomad 7 to an Escape 150 and allow me to charge the Escape (albiet slower than with a larger panel). This application was suggested by your rep in the Woot forums where I just purchased the Escape, but it is not listed under the product info here, so I want to confirm prior to ordering."
A:GoalZero said:
"The Nomad 7 solar panel isn't designed to charge the Escape 150, there isn't a direct cable hook up and the panel is very small. We recommend using one of the larger panels."

Charged mine up over night Thursday. Used it to top off a laptop for about 2 hours. Umplugged it, shut it off and the next morning, it was DEAD. Zero change. Not happy.

msinthemn wrote:Charged mine up over night Thursday. Used it to top off a laptop for about 2 hours. Umplugged it, shut it off and the next morning, it was DEAD. Zero change. Not happy.

Please contact us at support@goalzero.com and we'll help you out. We want you to enjoy our product and we're here to help.

Edited: Issue addressed and remedied by Goal Zero.

Edited: Issue addressed and remedied by Goal Zero.

GoalZero guy, please see my issue that you missed! One post above the one you most recently answered.

Probably get some use out of mine tonight as we are getting pounded by Debbie here in Tallahassee.

chrisgohlke wrote: I went to the page for the product sku you mentioned and made sure I was getting the correct thing. The support person there contradicted the info you provided here. Here is the question I posed and the answer they provided, which are now listed on the support page for the sku'd product you recommended. -

Q:"I want to confirm that this cable will connect a Nomad 7 to an Escape 150 and allow me to charge the Escape (albiet slower than with a larger panel). This application was suggested by your rep in the Woot forums where I just purchased the Escape, but it is not listed under the product info here, so I want to confirm prior to ordering."
A:GoalZero said:
"The Nomad 7 solar panel isn't designed to charge the Escape 150, there isn't a direct cable hook up and the panel is very small. We recommend using one of the larger panels."

It is the correct cable... the cable SKU 90807a found at http://www.goalzero.com/shop/p/30/-Solar-4-7mm-6ft-Extension-Cable/5:1/ states in the description...
"This cord extends the reach from Elite and Escape solar panels by 6 feet. Also chains Nomad 7 to other panels."
This cable will fit on the 12v output of the Nomad 7 and allow it to power other stuff that has the 4.7mm input.
The problem with that and most likely why they put the 12v port port on the 7 the way they did (annoying to plug into larger battery packs) is that the nomad 7 is a ~6-7v panel native. The solar "super charge" output to the guide 10 is 6-7v unregulated and that is the best way for power out of the panel. The 12v output is stepped up from 6v and there is dramatic inefficiency in that so it is able to output about 13v at only 3 watts. Down from the 7 watts it starts with! The larger 12+ volt native panels don't have the step up problem and are able to output near their full rated power at the 13-15 volts needed to charge a 12v battery.
You could combine a few nomad 7 panels with a 4.7mm combiner cable to boost the power output, but at that price it's better to just buy a larger panel such as a nomad 13, nomad 27 or escape 30 and then chain the nomad 7 to those for a little boost.

Thanks Kenundrum, so I think what you are saying is while the cable will connect these things, the goalzero guy really never should have said that the Nomad 7 would work with this product. He'd said it would give the unit about a 30% charge in a day. Given that the much larger Boulder 15 would fully charge it in 10 hours, that seemed like it was maintain reasonable efficiency, and the drop in charging speed was simply due to the significantly smaller panel.

Hopefully they come through and put the corresponding panel up for sale soon since apparently the panel I already own isn't going to do me any good. :/