Customer Reviews

Yamaha EF1000iS 1,000 Watt 50cc OHV 4-Stroke Gas Powered Portable Inverter Generator (CARB Compliant)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've used these with friends camping and been absolutely amazed. This model has a number of positives about it. Yamaha has produced small, reliable generators for over 15 years.

My big plusses:

1 - REALLY quiet. The engine drives basically just an alternator and produces about 12V, though it varries. When there is a small load on the generator (typical of most camping / outdoor uses) it slows down the engine. This not only makes it quiet, it cuts back on fumes, and saves gas. A tank filling can last half a day easily depending on demand.

2 - clean power. Because the alternator is outputting a DC voltage into a sinewave inverter your 110 VAC is comming from one of the best sources. I use inverters in many of my service vehicles, right at 1000W, and have found no situation where that was not enough power. Since the inverter tells the throttle how much power it needs, wasted noise and gas are eliminated. Basically it does not feel like the old 5000W genset on wheels.

3 - light weight. Compared to taking the 5000W generator camping, the small size and light weight are a welcome change.

4 - very small gasoline consumption. Unless you are running the full 1000W all the time you'll get great mileage. If you do need to run 1000W all the time, consider a larger digital inverter genset. Honda makes a 2000W which can be joined to a second 2000W for 4000 total if I recall.

5 - well built engine. Although only 50cc, it has overhead valves and excellent sound isolation.

Cons:

It's not going to run EVERYTHING in your RV at the same time. If you are watching the plasma TV (400W) and turn on the microwave (1000W) the generator will shut down due to the 1400W load. Consider your loads and if you must run everything simultaneously.

Heavy loads make it spin faster and thus change the acoustic tone of the exhaust. If it's within hearing range and you turn alot of stuff on/off the noise may irritate some people.

Pros:

Put a 100 foot extension cord between you and the generator and you'll be saying "what generator" as the lights and appliances work fine for 12+ hours. It's that quiet.

1000W is enough to run your vehicle's battery charger, a good size TV, and small cooking appliances, just not at the same time. Consider the kill-a-watt wattmeter to know EXACTLY what your load is P3 International P4460 Kill A Watt EZ Electricity Usage Monitor

The previous review on this generator is correct. It is quiet and it is a very good gas saver. We use our generator for a 250 watt average load. With that load, the economy saver feature on this generator allows its 0.6 gallon tank to last a little over 12 hours!!

It is extremely quiet, just slightly louder than that of a good refridgerator.

Why the 4-star rating?

The Yamaha website doesn't appear to be too up-to-date on Yamaha Generator Service Shops. When we got our generator, it had a bad seal on it and the oil leaked out. When we looked on the Yamaha website, it showed two dealers in our area that fixed these generators. Neither one would take it. They said they stopped working on generators. I ended up having to drive over to the next town where the dealer told me that most dealers do not like to take generators unless they sold it to you themselves.

So, while I got lucky and found someone that would take it. Just be aware that you might not be so lucky. Before buying, call the dealers on the Yamaha website and ask them if they can fix a generator for you. Then you will have a better idea of what situation you are in before you buy.

I wanted a smaller generator than the one built into my RV to save on gas and operate quieter. this little yamaha did the trick. I use a 50 foot extension cord and run it to my rv through the window. It can power my computer, battery chargers, and small appliances on its quiet, low power setting. I barely hear when it is running on low power if it is 50 feet from the RV. Uses only 1/2 gallon of gas if i run it all day. but you do need to go to a local Yamaha dealer and get the proper oil. make sure you read the instructions for this or you will burn out the motor.

We have a Travel Trailer and love to camp! We are finding that we like camping along Forest Service Roads. We have 4 batteries and decided to help with extra power (charging the batteries) in remote situations and the Yamaha is perfect and much less noisy that starting our diesel truck and running it. The fuel the Yamaha needs is very little but the rewards are good! Perfect choice for our needs!

I love the size of this unit, perfect for my VW Vanagon camper.
I can't run a portlable AC unit as it doesn't have enough power output.
The oil filler dish is an interesting piece of equipment, it works.
For power where there is none I'm sure this is going to be just fine.
Its a little louder than I had hoped for.
All in all a quality piece of equipment, I would recommend this to a friend

It really is quiet if you doing have to utilize the entire 1000 watts. It is kind of loud if you have to run close to a full load. I would recommend the 2K or Higher if your running more watts and if you value quiet. But I do love this one for what it is!!

I purchased two generators to use with my RV and other outdoor activities. I compared this model to the Honda and chose this one becauseof reviews and the quiet factor. The generators start after about six to ten pulls when cold and operate fine when running. The gas save feature is good and quiets the engine noise. I purchased two generators because I wanted to keep the weight down and I don't need two generators when I'm on my boat or using them when tent camping. However, I do use both when using my 30 foot RV and that there in lies the problem. I should have close to 4000 watts when hooked in-line but have much less. I can not even run my microwave without them overloading and shutting down, nor even use my air conditioner when in the desert. Mind you, this is with all other electrical devices powered down and off. Similar sized Honda models have a much larger and beefier power cable between units but the Yamaha has this skimpy little wire...which may be the problem.

I'm disappointed and should have purchased the industry standard: Honda. Also, these generators tip easily compared to the wider Honda.