There's no denying that Yamaha is one of the most reputable and trusted by the public brands when it comes to portable generators. When choosing to purchase one of their inverter generators from a reputable dealer, you are choosing peace of mind, as well as customer confidence. After all, there is a reason why so many people every year decide to trust this brand and continue to purchase their products.
Yamaha portable generators are manufactured by Yamaha Motor Corporation. The company was established in 1955 in Japan with Genichi Kawakami as the first president. The firm offers a huge lineup of product range which is enjoyed worldwide due to their trademark superior performance. We reveal our favorite Yamaha portable generator here.
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Our Favorite Yamaha Portable Generators
1. Yamaha EF2400iSHC - Gas Powered Portable Inverter
The Yamaha EF2400iSHC can be either the perfect option for an RV or a smaller backup generator for the average consumer in need of emergency backup power.
The running power of this inverter generation sits at 2000 watts, while, its surge power is 2400 watts, which is quite good considering that portable generators are not meant to power up big appliances, but rather serve as a backup power source for when there is no access to electricity (e.g. during camping).
It's important to remember that if you are planning on using it on appliances that consume a lot of energy, then this Yamaha generator won't be a good choice, and you need to invest in a larger one. Using it on something like an AC unit can cause engine damage, and result in a shorter lifespan of the generator.
The 'iS' part of the name indicates that Yamaha EF2400iSHC is using a microprocessor that controls the engine, and ensures greater fuel efficiency. The 'i' stands for 'inverter', which means that Yamaha EF2400iSHC produces energy that can be safely used to power most modern-day electronics, such as your laptop or your phone.
It produces clean power in a unit that not only runs quietly and efficiently but is also highly portable. It features pulse width moderation and automatically protects itself from low oil pressure. Yamaha EF2400iSHC features an oil warning system - once the oil falls under a lower level, the engine will stop working, and will not turn on again until the oil is refilled.
This Yamaha inverter generator is also equipped with a fuel gauge, which means that you check the fuel level without having to open the fuel tank. The fuel tank can hold up to 1.6 gallons of fuel, thanks to which the generator is able to run for up to 8.6 hours when used on a quarter load.
Additionally, Yamaha EF2400iSHC is compliant with emission engine durability ratings issued by CARB and EPA. Keep in mind though that it uses gasoline, which means that it shouldn't be used in poorly-ventilated places, or close to buildings - ideally, it should only be used outdoors.
A feature worth mentioning is the Smart Throttle system which automatically adjusts the engine speed to match the load, ensuring greater fuel efficiency and noise reduction. The noise level at full load is rated at 60 dB, while on 25% load the noise rating drops to 53 dB.
Yamaha EF2400iSHC is very easy to maintain. First of all, before you put this Yamaha generator away, make sure to run the curb dry using the gasoline petcock so that you can prevent stale gas problems, which can lead to generator damage. Second of all, the Yamaha generator is equipped with a removable back access panel, which means that you can easily reach all the parts you might need to clean or repair without having to take apart the entire generator.
All that being said, there are also some disadvantages to using this Yamaha inverter generator - the most important one being that you cannot use it with another generator to produce more power. What's more, it can also be quite heavy for some people as it weighs 75 lbs.
If you're worried that you will experience problems with the Yamaha inverter generator after a few months of use, you will be glad to hear that Yamaha EF2400iSHC comes with a three-year warranty that can be extended to four years.
Pros
- Easily Drains Gasoline for Storage
- Lightweight and Extremely Portable
- Incredibly Quiet Operation
- CARB Compliant for Nationwide Use
Cons
- You Cannot Use the Yamaha EF2400iSHC with Another Unit
< Click Here For A More In-Depth Yamaha EF2400iSHC Review >
2. Yamaha EF2000isv2 Portable Inverter Generator
At first glance, the Yamaha EF2000isv2 portable inverter generator does not look like a typical generator, but rather like some old-school radio - however, despite its rather unusual design, this portable inverter generator does its job better than fine. Its surge power sits at 2000 watts, while its running power is 1600 watts, which is pretty typical for this type of generator.
Just like in the portable inverter generator we have mentioned above, the 'iS' part of the name indicates that Yamaha EF2000isv2 is using a microprocessor that controls the engine, and ensures greater fuel efficiency. The 'i' stands for 'inverter', which means that it produces energy that can be safely used to power most electronics, even those that are very sensitive.
Yamaha EF2000isv2 is very lightweight, as it weighs just a little over 44 lbs, making it one of the lightest ones in the 2000 watt category - everyone will be able to move it around easily, no matter how much muscle strength they have.
The fuel tank of this Yamaha inverter generator can hold up to 1.1 gallons of fuel - thanks to this, the generator can run up to 10.5 hours when used on a 25% load. Compared to some of the other models available on the market, this is actually a great running time when taking into consideration the size of the generator - it is a perfect choice for when you need to leave the generator running for the night.
Its easy-to-use design and reliable electrical output make it an excellent asset to any home, construction business, or camper. In fact, this portable inverter generator is perfect for campers. It is extremely quiet, as its noise level sits at only 61 dB, ensuring that you won't disturb yourself or anyone around you (e.g. other campers). What's more, it is approved for use on all the United States Forest Service sites and can be legally used in all 50 states.
With regular maintenance and routine servicing, you can use the Yamaha EF2000isv2 for years to come.
Despite all the good things connected with Yamaha EF2000isv2, there are also some disadvantages - as with everything. The main one is that it is rather expensive - however, taking into consideration its durability, and the quality of the product, it's safe to say that it's money well spent.
Additionally, you also receive a three-year warranty, that can be extended by a year, ensuring that even if something happens to your portable generator during this time, you can always count on customer service to help you out and direct you to the nearest service to make sure everything is fine.
Pros
- Compact and easy to use
- High fuel efficiency
- Incredibly Quiet Operation
- Eco friendly
Cons
- Expensive
<Click Here For A More In-Depth Yamaha EF2000isv2 Review>
The Yamaha Generator Brand
Now that you know which Yamaha portable generators are our favorites, let's talk a little more about the brand itself - Yamaha.
About the Brand
Yamaha is a Japanese manufacturer that, as we have already mentioned, was founded in 1955 as a result of separation from Yamaha Corporation - although nowadays those are two different companies, Yamaha Corporation is still its largest shareholder, with almost 10% in 2019.
The company, led by its first president, Genichi Kawakami, released its first product the same year it was founded. It was called the YA-1 and it was a 125 cc two-cycle, single-cylinder motorcycle. Ever since it was first introduced, it was an extreme success winning several racing competitions and getting the Yamaha brand recognition.
Since then, a lot has changed in the company - it grew so much that today they are a global corporation, selling their products to almost every single country in the world. Over the years it has gathered not only millions of loyal customers but also a plethora of different products that they manufacture.
Nowadays, the company has a wide range of products that they manufacture: motorcycles, commuter vehicles, recreational vehicles, boats, marine engines, small tractors, personal watercraft, electrically power-assisted bicycles, automobile engines, unmanned aerial vehicles, power products, compact industrial robots, wheelchairs, parts including apparel, helmets, musical instruments, and so much more.
The Yamaha range of portable generators produce premium-quality reliable electric power for a variety of uses:
Outdoor work: due to their stable power generation and quiet operations, Yamaha generators are ideal for powering tools used for outdoor activities such as gardening, woodworking, construction, and mobile shops.
Recreational use: because of their compact size and silent operation, Yamaha generators work very well in leisure pursuits like camping, fishing, hunting, tailgating, and the likes.
Emergency: When mother nature decides to strike, Yamaha generators can provide steady backup power to carry all household appliances for long durations. Your household will continue to enjoy modern conveniences such as refrigerators, air conditioning, TVs, DVD players, etc completely unaffected by power outages.
Yamaha generators are produced in three broad configurations; Inverter, FW, and Standard.
Inverter: The inverter type of generator provides high-quality electricity with low total harmonic distortion using inverter technology which can also be used safely for sensitive electronic equipment and devices like personal computers with built-in microprocessors.
With the help of complex electronics, the engine speed is varied with any change in the load which makes the unit consume low amounts of fuel and run quieter. The inverter technology also allows for a compact design.
FW: Yamaha FW systems employ the use of Damper Windings or “Future Wave” to considerably reduce harmonic distortion thereby producing a much cleaner power than the “standard” generator types.
This makes them ideal for use to power equipment that does not work well with regular generators such as
- corded electric tools,
- power adjustable IH cooking ranges,
- motor-driven adjustable-speed machines (such as a pitching machine),
- and metal halide floodlights.
They are priced lower than inverter types despite the considerable reduction in harmonic distortion.
Standard: this is the regular type of portable generator. It doesn’t provide power that is as stable and clean as the inverter and FW types. However, it generally has larger power output, requires less maintenance, and is the most affordable of the three.
Yamaha generators are noted for their abundance of state-of-the-art technology that promises high-level performance in the various applications that portable power is required and also makes them outstanding in usability, economy, and durability.
There is a wide range of Yamaha generator models available so that you can always find the right generator to fit any condition of use. Some of the innovative features that set Yamaha generators apart include:
- Super-quiet muffler with USFS-approved spark arrestor that reduces noise levels to a lowly 51.5 dBA at 1/4 load
- Smart Throttle adjusts the engine speed based on load which improves fuel economy and further reduces noise
- Patented Yamaha Inverter system with Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) control
Yamaha generators might not be the most affordable in the market, but they offer superior performance that is difficult to match.
Our #1 Recommended Yamaha Generator is…
Portable generators are an important part of equipment for anyone that travels in the RV, loves to go camping, or spends a lot of time in conditions in which there's no actual access to electricity. After all, everyone needs to charge their phone or other devices every once in a while to let their loved ones know that they are okay. That's precisely why choosing a portable generator is such a big deal to many people.
When choosing a portable generator, it's important to pick one that's reliable, fuel-efficient, quiet, and a good value for your money. Although there are plenty of different models available on the market, we believe that the Yamaha EF2400iSHC Portable Generator is the top choice when comparing all of these important factors.
It's fuel-efficient, it can last for more than 8 hours when used on 25% load, it is very quiet as it produces only about 60 dB of noise, doesn't need a lot of work to keep in a good state, and so on. What more can you want from a portable inverter generator?