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  • Yamaha EF2000iSv2 Inverter Generator Review:Get All The Facts

Yamaha EF2000iSv2 Inverter Generator Review:Get All The Facts

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Whether you live in the outer reaches where connecting to the electric grid is not possible, need portable power for work or you want to be prepared for power outages in your area, a portable inverter generator is a smart investment.

There are many different models to choose from, but here we will discuss the attributes of the Yamaha EF2000iSv2 generator and give you our unbiased review.

Product Showcase

How Big Is The Yamaha EF2000iSv2 Portable Inverter Generator?

This particular model of Yamaha generator is compactly built at 19.3×11×17.9 inches, which makes it approximately 2.2 cubic ft.

Such a small profile means it will be easy to store and transport, making it the perfect addition to your work truck, camping supplies or emergency gear.

How Much Does It Weigh?

For most inverter generators, the actual weight of the product is less important than other features.

However, when you are talking about a portable type unit, this changes things a bit.

The Yamaha EF2000iSv2 weighs in at under 50 pounds, 44.1 to be exact, so its definitely something that could be considered portable.

Power Source

The Yamaha EF2000iSv2 creates power for various applications, but needs a “power” source of its own.

Gasoline will be the source of choice for this and nearly all other generators on the market. It sports a 1 gallon gasoline tank.

How Much Is The Power Output?

This particular model has an impressive power output for its size and portability at 1,600- 2,000w operation range.

Of course, no generator should ever run at full capacity for an extended period of time, so this means you get 2,000 watts starting power and 1,600 watts running power.

Why is this important?

If you need to use a table saw, pump, drill, air compressor, chainsaw  or other equipment that has its own electric motor, they will need more starting power.

For example, a typical circle say may require 1,200 watts to start but only 720 watts for actual running time.

What Is The Actual Run Time?

How long can you work or power some indoor items during a power outage?

The Yamaha EF2000iSv2 offers extended run times thanks to its smart throttle technology.

This unit can actually sense how much of a load it is under.

When work is light, it will reduce power, which cuts fuel consumption and reduces noise levels at the same time.

What About The Noise Level?

This Yamaha is rated at 51.5 dBA at 25% load.

What does this really mean? For starters, it is going to be louder if it is under a heavier load.

You should also know the location you operate your generator in will have a huge impact on noise levels. Here are a few things you should know:

  • dBA stands for decibels.
  • Normal conversation is rated at 60 dBA
  • A rock concert is around 110 dBA
  • In an enclosed space, sound will be amplified and while out in the open, it will be muted.

When noise considerations are paramount, keep one more thing in mind.

What is a mildly irritating sound level for one person may be rock show stadium aggravating for another. Keep the other members of your household or work team in mind when choosing a generator based on noise.

This Yamaha boasts a sophisticated muffler system complete with spark arrestor. It also has noise reduction rubber feet to encourage smoother yet quieter motor operation.

At ¼ load, you can actually stand next to this device and still have a conversation, and probably not even notice the unit is running.

Maintenance Required

Maintenance on one of these little beauties is pretty simple, especially when you consider the oil watch warning system and electrical overload breaker.

The first will warn you when the unit needs oil or an oil change while the second will shut down the device to prevent damage in case of a power overload.

These units are fairly easy to maintain, watch the oil, keep vents free and clear and drain the carb of fuel before storage with the installed gasoline petcock.

No gas in the carb means fewer problems with stale fuel after long periods of storage.

Remember, proper maintenance reduces the need for costly repairs!

Appropriate Applications

Basically, anywhere you need a couple of outlets and portable power, this is your beast. The Yamaha EF2000iSv2 is good in many situations, including but not limited to:

  • Keeping the refrigerator going when the power goes out
  • To power lights, fan and chargers for your next camping trip
  • As a take along farm tool, power your drill, saw or other equipment out in the field while you are working on equipment.
  • New construction often needs a source of power, similar to farm example above.
  • Small off-grid locations where traditional power sources are unavailable

Motor

This Yamaha has an overhead valve engine with steel cam and valve train components.

Inside are cast iron cylinder sleeves for added durability and longevity.

When you think of this device and its engine, small but sturdy would be an accurate description.

Fuel Efficiency

One of the biggest issues with generators in general is their fuel consumption. How much a generator will burn in gasoline or diesel will vary by size and type of generator.

For example, a 5,000 watt open frame generator will generally require about 18 gallons of fuel for a 24 hour period.

This is definitely not economical and is a big part of the reason manufacturers have created portable inverter generators that have load bearing sensory technology. These devices can run 8-10 hours on as little as 1-2 gallons of gasoline.

How Easy Is It To Use?

Technology often outpaces the average customer experience, but in the case of this Yamaha EF2000iSv2  generator, better tech is a good thing.

One thing you will be happy to note is this baby pull starts very easily, thanks to the auto decompression system. This system automatically decompresses the engine, which makes the pull rope starting system much easier to use.

This device also has auto warm up, a feature that increases engine speed so your high demand appliances can be powered quickly.

Last but not least, all controls are easily accessed and the fuel gauge is designed so the user can easily monitor fuel levels.

How Many Power Outlets?

Your Yamaha EF2000iSv2 gives you access to two AC power outlets and one DC outlet for charging small electronics. (cables for DC are provided)

Is It Environmentally Friendly?

Emissions are a big problem for generators. Users need to be cognizant of the harmful fumes a gas powered generator can produce, particularly if they will be housing the unit indoors.

Thankfully, this unit has some of the highest EPA ratings for all 50 states, they have the longest emission engine durability ratings issued by the Environmental Protection Agency.

What Kind of Warranty Does It Offer?

Warranty generally depends on where you purchased your unit. This Yamaha generator comes with a limited 3-year warranty, provided you make your purchase through an authorized Yamaha dealer.

After making your purchase, it is important you go online and register the purchase. You will need serial number, name of the dealer, your personal information and date of purchase. The warranty guarantees your unit to be free of any defect in material or workmanship for a period of three years.

Of course, you must regularly service your generator and it cannot be utilized for commercial purposes (the warranty for commercial use varies somewhat).

You can actually read what’s included in this 3-year warranty, by accessing the pdf document through this link.

Other Features

If you ever need more power than one generator can provide, you will be happy to know the EF2000iSv2 has the option to be run in parallel mode.

You can pair two of the same generator models or even a few earlier compatible models such as the EF2000iS.

Utilizing this feature will give you double the power output, but will require that you purchase accessory cables in order to connect the two units.

You might also be interested in the RV adapter kit, which is a 30 amp receptacle for use with RVs. Of course, if you are using the parallel mode, you will already have purchased this accessory.

Where Is The Yamaha EF2000iSv2 Made?

As you all probably know, Yamaha is a large, multi national company that was originally founded in Japan more than 120 years ago.

Its product lineup covers a wide spectrum of products ranging from musical instruments to motorcycles.

The Yamaha generators product range is manufactured under the Yamaha Motors Company, which was established in 1955 upon separation from the Yamaha Corporation.

Now, as far as the issue where this particular model is made, it’s a bit controversial, as roughly half of the actual users state their device shows to be made in Japan, while the other half contend that theirs shows to be made in China!

From reading reviews online, we couldn’t reach a definite conclusion whether units made in Japan are superior from units made in China (or vice versa) in terms of quality.

So, it’s safe to assume that, irrespective of the origin, quality controllers in the Yamaha Motors Company make sure that each device is manufactured according to the same quality standards, which are undeniably high, being a japanese company!

What Do Consumers Say?

Information is great, but what do the people say who have actually purchased and used this model? Overall response to this unit has been positive, 77% of reviews on Amazon give it 5 stars with comments on:

  • Compared wonderfully to other well known brands such as Honda
  • Fuel gauge makes all the difference
  • Very quiet operation
  • Well built, durable
  • Very efficient, 9 hours on one gallon of gas (one persons experience)
  • When deciding on a generator fuel consumption is a number one concern, this unit beats out a lot of the competition on this point alone.
  • Starting this unit is super easy

As you can see, customer reviews are usually very positive and the same theme seems to dominate them all this unit is quiet, well made and ready to see you through the darkest nights regardless of the cause.

Nevertheless, for the sake of giving you an as much as possible an unbiased review, I should also present to you some of the most important shortcomings of the Yamaha generator, as seen through the experience of actual users:

  • Apparently, one important flaw of the device in question is that it consumes a lot of oil, once you have used it for a couple of thousands hours of operation. As one user puts it “I’m talking 8-12 hours from full crankcase to low oil shutdown – like fill the oil every time you fill the gas.”

However. you should take this negative observation with a grain of salt, as excessive oil consumption   might be related to inadequate maintenance. As another user replies in response to this review, this problem might be due to not cleaning the spark arrestor, which, as the manual recommends, should be cleaned every 100 hours of use. 

  • Another flaw pointed out by another user is that if you plan to use the generator in an altitude higher than 4,000 feet, then you should make sure you install a high altitude carburetor kit. And once installed, when you try to run the device in a low altitude environment then damage may occur.

This shortcoming of the Yamaha EF2000iSv2 is actually stated in the device’s manual. So, make sure you take into consideration this fact, when you plan on purchasing a generator that will best fit the circumstances that you plan to use it in.

Specifications:

  • 3-yr limited warranty
  • 51 – 61 dBA at ¼ load
  • Continuous run time- 10 hours on one tank at ¼ load
  • Fuel capacity- 1.1 gallon
  • 44 pounds
  • 3×11×17.9 in
  • AC current- 13.3 / 16.7
  • Wattage maximum- 1600- 2000

Price

Price will vary depending on your location and where you shop, but current online prices put this unit in the $800 – $900 range.

Of course, if you have a subscription like Amazon Prime or you are purchasing the generator locally, you will not have any shipping costs.

Follow this link to see the latest price and discounts offered.

Choosing the generator that is right for you 

What do you need your generator to do for you? Will this be a substitute for your off-grid solar array when days are cloudy?

Do you need something for camping? Maybe you need access to your power tools on remote job locations?

Before deciding which generator is right for you, it is important to take the time and become very familiar with the specifications of each of the top units in the field.

You should know exactly what you can expect from the generator, what the warranty covers and how they compare to other units when it comes to longevity. This will give you the information you need to purchase the right one.

The Yamaha EF2000iSv2 Review: Our Final Verdict

The Yamaha EF2000iSv2 is a lightweight, easy to use portable generator that operates quietly enough for you to have a conversation with someone in close proximity to the unit.

For what it is, this little generator is packing some serious energy, and at a price most would find affordable.

Yamaha EF2000iSv2 Power Generator Summary Review

IMPORTANT FEATURES
PROS & CONS
-Dimensions 19.3×11×17.9 inches (2.2 cubic ft)
-Weight 44.1 pounds
-Tank capacity 1 gallon gasoline tank
-Gas powered
-2,000 watts starting power and 1,600 watts running power
-Smart throttle technology (intelligent load monitoring)
-51.5 dBA noise output at 25% load
-Run Time 8-10 hours on as little as 1-2 gallons of gasoline
-EPA Compliant
-Easy Maintenance
-Parallel ready, can hook up two generators in parallel to boost power
- Two 120 volt outlets and one 12 volt
-Environmentally friendly
- Auto Idle fuel saving technology
-oil watch warning system and electrical overload breaker


PROS
-Lightweight- makes transporting this unit is much easier than the big bulky models
-At 2,000 watts maximum, this little generator puts out enough energy for the most robust camping trip or for those times when power is out and you must keep the refrigerator up and running
-Good warranty from the manufacturer, just make sure you are purchasing your generator from a verified Yamaha dealer
-Quiet operation is something all generator users long for. Some are happy while others will be disappointed. Thanks to the small size, smart technology and advanced muffling system, this unit is quite tolerable at 54 dBA

CONS
-Compared to the traditional standby or standard power generators, this generator lacks on the amount of power that it can output
-But still, despite its limitations, this generator is in it for the long haul

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