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Goal Zero · Will it run?

Can the Goal Zero Yeti 500 run a sump pump (1/3 HP)?

Published
Short answerNo

No. A sump pump draws about 800 W while it runs, and the Goal Zero Yeti 500 can only put out 500 W continuously. The smallest unit we list that can run it is the 998 Wh Goal Zero Yeti 1000 (6th Gen), with 2,000 W output, for about 11 hours.

Add your other devices to the Goal Zero Yeti 500 in the calculator

Key numbers

Runtime
Can’t run it
What stops it
Output
needs 800 W, has 500 W

Sump pump (1/3 HP)

Running
800 W
700–1115 W range
Start-up
2,100 W
Average
80 W
on 10% of the time

Goal Zero Yeti 500

Battery
499 Wh
about 424 Wh usable
Output
500 W
continuous
Surge
1,000 W
start-up peak

How we worked it out: 499 Wh × 0.85 ÷ 80 W average (800 W × 0.1 duty) would be about 5.5 hours, but the output limit stops it first. The 0.85 covers inverter and battery losses. We do not test units ourselves; the numbers come from the official spec sheets and typical device draws. How we pick

Goal Zero Yeti 500 portable power station, front view

Goal Zero Yeti 500

499 Wh · 500 W output · 1,000 W surge · 16.1 lb

Full specs and runtimes for the Goal Zero Yeti 500

What else the Goal Zero Yeti 500 runs

One device at a time, from a full charge.

Other power stations for a sump pump

The nearest sizes that can run it.

Keep going

Common questions

Why can’t the Goal Zero Yeti 500 run a sump pump?
A sump pump draws about 800 W while it runs, 160% of the Goal Zero Yeti 500’s 500 W continuous output. Overload protection would shut the outlets off.
Which power station can run a sump pump?
The smallest one we list that can is the Goal Zero Yeti 1000 (6th Gen), with 998 Wh, 2,000 W output and 3,600 W surge, for about 11 hours. Closer to the Goal Zero Yeti 500’s size, the EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus runs it for about 11 hours.