1
Voltage Gate
PASSDevice output type must match generator output.
120V required -> 120V available
No — the Yeti 1500X is underpowered for a Shop Vac
No - this pairing is underpowered. Safe target ~1601W running / 4803W surge; the generator provides 2000W / 3500W.
- • Startup surge shortfall: needs 4176W (safe target ~4803W), generator provides 3500W.
Power Margin Analysis
2000W / 3500W Capacity Running 399W headroom
1601W required
Surge 1303W short
4803W required
Decision Gate Waterfall
Same decision gates as the engine: voltage, running, surge. Runtime is shown as operational context.
2
Running Gate
PASSContinuous draw with safety buffer applied.
1,601W required -> 2,000W available (399W headroom)
Required 1,601W required
Available 2,000W
3
Surge Gate
FAILStartup peak with safety buffer applied.
4,803W required -> 3,500W available (1,303W short)
Required 4,803W required
Available 3,500W
4
Runtime Insight
INFORuntime context only. It does not change the electrical compatibility verdict.
Runtime estimate appears after running and surge gates pass.
Power bars show required versus available output for each gate.
See generators that pass nativelyDecision Snapshot
Quick compatibility, required headroom, and model-specific context at a glance.
⚡
2000W
Running Power
🔋
1516Wh
Capacity
⏱️
—
Est. Runtime
☀️
600W
Solar Input
Quick Compatibility Check
- 1 Running headroom: target 1601W; generator provides 2000W.
- 2 Surge headroom: target 4803W; generator provides 3500W.
- 3 Result: pick a higher-output unit for safe operation.
What To Do Instead
- 1 Surge deficit: The Shop Vac (Wet/Dry, 5-6 HP Peak)'s startup requires 4803W (4176W + 15% buffer). The Yeti 1500X provides 3500W — 1303W short.
- 2 Safe target: Look for a power station with at least 1601W continuous and 4803W surge at 120V.
- 3 Compatible alternative: The Explorer 2000 Plus (3000W / 6000W surge) clears this device's requirements.
Model-Specific Results
0 of 3 models are SAFE or TIGHT. Most demanding model: Shop-Vac SVX2 (12-Gal, 5.5 HP Peak) (4,176W surge).
| Model | Running | Surge | Verdict | Runtime | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DeWalt DXV10P (10-Gal, 5.5 HP, 2-Stage Quiet) | 1,200W | 3,600W | Fail | — | Engineering Est. |
Show expert analysisTechnical: **Running load:** 1200W from OEM nameplate (10A × 120V). **Estimated startup surge:** 3600W at 3x running (motor-load multiplier — no OEM starting watts published). **Voltage:** 120V AC. 2-stage motor, 90 CFM airflow, 73 dB noise rating — quietest in this set. Field note: The DXV10P is the most power-station-friendly shop vac in this set. At 1200W running and an estimated 3600W surge, it works with most power stations rated 2000W+ with adequate surge capacity. The 2-stage motor runs quieter (73 dB) and may have lower actual inrush than single-stage models, though no OEM data confirms this. Can a portable power station run the DeWalt DXV10P? Only if your power source can supply at least 1200W continuous and approximately 3600W surge at 120V. The motor startup surge is the main challenge, not the running watts. | |||||
| Vacmaster Beast VFB511B (5-Gal, 6 HP Peak, Compact) | 1,320W | 3,960W | Fail | — | Engineering Est. |
Show expert analysisTechnical: **Running load:** 1320W from OEM specs (11A × 120V). **Estimated startup surge:** 3960W at 3x running (motor-load multiplier — no OEM starting watts published). **Voltage:** 120V AC. Single-stage motor, 102 CFM airflow, 320 Air Watts, 82 in. water lift. Field note: The Beast packs the most suction power per pound in this set — 102 CFM from a 12 lb unit. At 1320W running it draws 10% more than the DeWalt but delivers 13% more airflow. The compact 5-gallon tank makes it portable but limits continuous use on large jobs. Is the Vacmaster Beast harder to run on a power station than the DeWalt? Slightly — 1320W versus 1200W running, with an estimated 3960W versus 3600W surge. Both need a power station with at least 2000W continuous and 4000W+ surge for reliable startup. | |||||
| Shop-Vac SVX2 (12-Gal, 5.5 HP Peak) | 1,392W | 4,176W | Fail | — | Engineering Est. |
Show expert analysisTechnical: **Running load:** 1392W from OEM specs (11.6A × 120V). **Estimated startup surge:** 4176W at 3x running (motor-load multiplier — no OEM starting watts published). **Voltage:** 120V AC. SVX2 motor, 12-gallon tank — the highest-draw unit in this set. Field note: The SVX2 draws the most power in this set at 11.6A. Its estimated 4176W startup surge puts it beyond most mid-range power stations. If you need a shop vac specifically for portable power use, the 10A DeWalt is a safer choice. The SVX2 is best paired with stations rated 2500W+ continuous with 5000W surge. Why does the Shop-Vac draw more than the 6 HP Vacmaster? Peak HP is a marketing metric, not an electrical measurement. The SVX2 at 11.6A draws more real power than the 6 HP Beast at 11A. Always check nameplate amps, not HP ratings, for power station sizing. | |||||
How This Pairing Performs Across Our Database
This unit is outside the compatible set; 12 of 33 generators pass SAFE/TIGHT for this device.
How Shop Vac (Wet/Dry, 5-6 HP Peak) Performs Across 33 Tested Generators
12 of 33 generators are SAFE+TIGHT for Shop Vac (Wet/Dry, 5-6 HP Peak).
12
Safe+Tight
Safe 9 (27%)
Tight 3 (9%)
Fail 21 (64%)
Power Comparison: Goal Zero Yeti 1500X vs Top Alternatives for Shop Vac (Wet/Dry, 5-6 HP Peak)
Goal Zero Yeti 1500X Fail
Current unit
Running 2,000W
Surge 3,500W
Fit class uses buffered needs (running and surge) for this device.
Specs & Surge Analysis
Power Tools
Shop Vac (Wet/Dry, 5-6 HP Peak)
Workshop Cleanup
Select Your Model:
1392W
Running
4176W
Surge
120V
Required
True Surge™ Analysis
Safety Buffer: +15% Running Power Usage 80% Utilization
1601W required 2000W Capacity
399W headroom
Surge/Startup Peak 137% Utilization
4803W required 3500W Capacity
1303W short
Voltage Match 120V ↔ 120V ✓
Startup Surge Visual
Startup Surge
Shop Vac (Wet/Dry, 5-6 HP Peak) vs Yeti 1500X
Startup surge exceeds the power station limit. A soft starter may resolve the surge gap.
Compatible Alternatives to Yeti 1500X
These generators meet Shop Vac (Wet/Dry, 5-6 HP Peak)'s voltage, running, and surge requirements.
Best Value 
Explorer 2000 Plus
3000W • 2042Wh
Runtime at your load
~1h
Capacity Fit Expandable to 12000Wh
Lowest capacity that still clears surge + running load.
Max Runtime 
Delta Pro
3600W • 3600Wh
Runtime at your load
~1.8h
Longest Runtime Expandable to 25000Wh
Expandable to 25000Wh.
Compare Similar Units
Free Tools
Station Tools
Technical Analysis
Spec-Based • No GuaranteesTechnical Breakdown
Running range: 1200W (10A) to 1392W (11.6A) depending on motor size. Estimated surge range: 3600W to 4176W at 3x running (motor-load multiplier — no shop vac manufacturer publishes starting watts). Voltage: 120V AC for all residential models.
Expected Behavior
Shop vacs draw near-maximum rated power continuously while running. Unlike power tools that cycle between cuts, a shop vac runs steady until you release the trigger or switch. At 1 hour daily use, energy consumption ranges from 1200 to 1392 Wh.
Field Note
Peak HP is meaningless for power station sizing — a '6 HP' vac may draw less amps than a '5.5 HP' model. Always check the nameplate amperage. Motor startup surge is the primary compatibility concern: a shop vac that draws 1200W running may need 3600W briefly at startup. Size for surge capacity first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the Goal Zero Yeti 1500X power a Shop Vac?
No. The Goal Zero Yeti 1500X falls short on surge capacity (3500W offered vs 4803W needed, 1303W short). Safe targets include a 15% buffer for the Shop Vac (Wet/Dry, 5-6 HP Peak)'s motor load profile.
How long will the Yeti 1500X run a Shop Vac?
No reliable runtime estimate — this pairing is not compatible. The Goal Zero Yeti 1500X cannot safely power the Shop Vac (Wet/Dry, 5-6 HP Peak). See compatible alternatives above for power stations that meet this device's requirements.
Power Tip: To get the most out of your Yeti 1500X, keep it in a well-ventilated area. Extreme temperatures can slightly reduce the efficiency of the LFP/NMC cells.
Compare all 33 generators for the Shop Vac (Wet/Dry, 5-6 HP Peak)
Ranked by budget, runtime, and overall compatibility.
Technical Sourcing & Verification
ID: goal-zero-yeti-1500x-shop-vac-5hp 🏛️ Device Data Source
Engineering Est. Safety Factor Applied
Derived from variant list (max of variants). Running worst case = Shop-Vac SVX2 (1392W at 11.6A). Surge worst case = Shop-Vac SVX2 (4176W). Surge estimated using 3x motor-load multiplier policy (no OEM starting watts published for any shop vac in this class).
⚡ Generator Specs Source
OEM Verified
Goal Zero Yeti 1500X User Guide (147-100A)
Methodology informed by US Department of Energy (DOE) & EIA references where applicable.
Our methodology →
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