Side-by-side testing of Goal Zero Nomad 20W, 50W, & 100W panels with Sherpa 100AC

Описание: On July 24th, 2024 at 11:30AM on a clear blue morning I tested a nearly-discharged Goal Zero Sherpa 100AC with three Nomad-series solar panels (100W, 50W, and 20W rated output).

I also chain-connected the panels together in different combinations and observed their solo vs chained power output.

Later this summer I'm headed to Alaska to do another remote wilderness canoe around tidewater glaciers and massive mountains.  On our last trip (2022) it was clear that the Nomad 20 and the Sherpa 100PD didn't meet our needs, largly because I failed to recognize two important things:

1. The 100PD doesn't have a 8mm input jack to utilize the full power output of the Nomad-series panels, so you're stuck using the 10.5W-limited USB-A connection.  So even if you buy a Nomad 200, you're only going to be able to soak up 10.5W from that panel if you're using a 100PD.  This is why I upgraded to the 100AC for this iteration.

2. These Goal Zero solar panels (and in fairness, most other panels of similar portability and price point) have an actual output power of 50%-70% of their rated output, so throw away your expectations that are based on those "rated output" numbers.  This is why I went nuts and bought the Nomad 50 and 100 to see which one(s) I'd prefer to take with us this year.

Anyway, here are the results of my testing in the video:

CONDITIONS:
11:30am July 24th, Seattle, WA, full sun, clear skies, 70F, 5-10kt breeze, 18'MSL.

SOLO TESTS:

100 solo= 56W (56% of rated, potentially the 100AC is throttling as a safety)

50 solo= 34W (68% of rated)


20 solo = 14W (70% of rated)

CHAINED/COMBINED TESTS:

100+50=65W combined (43.3% of rated, 100AC throttling as a safety)

50+20= 46W combined (65.7% of rated)

CONCLUSIONS:

I'm probably going to return the Nomad 100 because it's too bulky and doesn't have a chain port connection.  I'll definitely keep the 50, and if money were not an object I'd get a second Nomad 50 so I can have the extra wattage AND the redundancy.  Bears tear stuff up for fun from time-to-time, and it's also easy to accidentally trip on the cords and break these things while you're out in the sticks with no soldering iron....so yeah.

The Nomad 20 is probably going to be sold, as it just doesn't kick out enough power given its bulk (compared to the 50).

So there you have it!  I hope this helps your decision-making process.  

If you have questions, throw them in the comments.  I have like 100-something subscribers, so it's not like I'm getting swamped over here. 🤣