The 2400 and 3000 Watt Yamahas use the same sized engines. The 2400 uses an aluminum block to save weight.
The 2400 is 1/2 the weight of the Honda or Yamaha 3000.
In a few cases, a 2400 wouldn't run a 13,500 BTU A/C without a hard start kit ($20). Also in a few cases, a 3000 wasn't enough to run the same sized A/C without the hard start kit!
I have talked with LOTS of people about my EF2400iS, on this forum, other forums, via e-mail (after seeing my webpage about the testing I've done), and a handful of coworkers.
They only person I've talked with directly that's ever had an issue was someone trying to run a 15,000 BTU A/C unit. I said I didn't think it would work, and that turned out to be the case.
I've had mine for a while, and I'm still very pleased with it. Though I know I've influenced hundreds of sales, I don't receive a penny!
My primary purpose of this generator is emergency power for my home in FL. Hurricane country here. During outages, I put a 5000 BTU A/C unit in my bedroom window. The generator will run this A/C unit from idle, 53 dB (whisper quiet), all night, on the built-in 1.5 gallon gas tank. Neighbors can't hear it, and it uses a fraction of the fuel my previous 4400 Watt generator did (1.5 gallons for 8+ hours vs 1.0+ gallons PER HOUR).
I made a small cart for mine, so I can wheel it from the garage, across the lawn, and onto the patio behind the house. I could carry it that far, but no need...
My previous generator was a contractor type. About 150 lbs, and LOUD. Too heavy to pick up, too loud to use at home except during daylight hours in an outage.
Decide what's best for you, and buy what you really need. These things are too expensive to have to buy twice!
We are on the verge of investing either in the Honda2000, or Yamaha2400. Here is how I understand it sofar.
--------------------------
Yamaha Inverter EF2400iS
-Pro Yamaha comments-
There is a 'good' chance it may run my A/C.
The salesman said it has 'cleaner' power.. I'm suspect of such comments, but I'll point it out.
The metal handles are easier for security
Inverter EF2400iS specs
------------------
Type Brushless Inverter
Maximum AC Output 2400 watts
Rated AC Output 2000 watts
Rated / Maximum AC Current 16.7 / 20 amps @ 120V
Engine OHV, Air-Cooled, Four-Stroke, Single Cylinder
Displacement / HP 171cc / 5.5 hp
Overall Length 20.7"
Overall Width 16.5"
Overall Height 18.1"
Dry Weight 70 lbs.
Fuel Tank Capacity 1.6 gallons
Continuous Operation at 1/4 Rated Load 8.6 hrs.
Noise Level 53 - 58 dBA
Warranty 2 Years Limited Warranty
_____________________________________________
Honda EU2000i
-Pro honda comments
$200 cheaper.
More people seems to have Hondas.
There is a service place close to my home.
15hr operation on 1/4 load
Lighter to carry
EU2000i Specifications
-----------------------
Engine GX100
Displacement 98.5 cc
AC Output 120V
2000W max.(16.7A)
1600W rated (13.3A)
Receptacles 20A 125V Duplex
NEMA Plug Number:
5-20P
DC Output 12V, 96W (8A)
Starting System Recoil
Fuel Tank Capacity 1.1 gallons
Run Time on One Tankful 4 hrs. @ rated load
15 hrs. @ 1/4 load
Dimensions (L x W x H) 20.1" x 11.4" x 16.7"
Noise Level 59 dB @ rated load
53 dB @ 1/4 load
Dry Weight 46.3 lbs.
To me, given the choice between a Honda 2000 or a Yamaha 2400 the Yamaha seems better at my own budget. Given an unlimited budget, I would go with a dual Honda 2000 setup.
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* This post was
last
edited 12/17/07 10:58am by SkullAndSquirrel *
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Here's a link discussing the hard start kits, and links to suppliers: Link.
There's NOTHING wrong with the Honda 2KW. Fantastic little generator. But it will not run a 13,500 BTU A/C solo, reliably. Do a search on this forum, this topic has been discussed at length.
My camping buddy has two Honda 2KW generators, and one alone will not start his 13.5K BTU A/C unit. Two of them, with the parallel cable will run it no problem. But he bought his setup before the Yamaha 2400 became available. He now says he'd likely go with the Yamaha if had to do it over as he'd only have 1 to haul in his P/up, rather than two.
If you price out two Hondas, and the cable, you're about 2 times what the Yamaha cost. $1000 more to do the same job. Made the decision an easy choice for me.
As for a cable securing the metal handle, not advisable. They are only bolted in place, and only take a few seconds to remove with a ratchet:
I would suggest drilling a hole in the metal plate just below the handle. The plate is an intregal part of the generator, and they'd leave half the frame behind...
Also, when looking at fuel consumption numbers, keep in mind you're comparing a single Honda 2KW to the Yamaha. To have the ability to run the A/C, you'd need two Hondas... so you need to cut the 1/4 load figure in half, because you'll have two running. Also, two generators make more noise than 1, so the 53 dB figure increases also. Just food for thought...
Edit: The reason the Honda 2KW is more popular than the Yamaha EF2400iS is simple, the Honda 2KW was the ONLY option for years. You wanted a quiet generator, you bought a Honda. The Yamaha 2400 is a fairly new model, and the only one below a 3KW (140 lbs) designed to run a 13,500 BTU A/C unit solo. And like the Honda 2KW, it can be bridged with a like generator for increased capacity. But that has the same issue for me that the two Honda 2KW package has, too expensive. If you need bigger, buy it. Bridging is an expensive option, no matter the brand!
I've also used a Fluke Scopemeter on my Yamaha. Very clean power, far better than a campground!
* This post was
edited 12/17/07 01:04pm by 2manytoyz *
Just a quick note on the frustration of Yamaha gen purchasing..
I went to three local places. When asked about running an A/C on it, each one replied "I dunno if I would try that...". Only one salesman would admit he has seen a yamaha run an A/C "and that was not on a really hot day"..
It's annoying to have the salesperson trying to steer me to a bigger gen set. Perhaps they are trying to garner higher sales, perhaps they are misinformed, perhaps they are speaking from real experience... Either way, I tend to find you guys here tend to be better informed.
Driling a cable hole is a fantasic tip. I was considering ways to secure the unit that included welding a cage straps and all sorts of jibber jabber.. Now I can plainly see two strategically placed holes drilled into the handle frame will be a fine deterent.
I've also used a Fluke Scopemeter on my Yamaha. Very clean power, far better than a campground!
I was curious about that. I know that the Honda put out a very smooth sine wave even though it is an inverter generator. Regular MSW inverters usually put out a stepped sine wave.
So the Yamaha produces a nice smooth sine wave like the Honda?
It's interesting that neither the Honda nor the Yamaha use PSW inverters yet they put out such smooth power. Must be done through extra filtering that the stand alone MSW inverters don't have.
I have had nothing but problems with my 2400, matter of fact it would not start just now. ran for 4 hours no problems shut it off and tried to restart nothing. seems like it floods really easy. I took it to the dealer once already and was not impressed with the service maybe if you get a higher cost item they take better care of you. It is not that quiet. The 3000 Honda is really quiet. I have had Honda generators before and they just WORK and WORK. get the Honda, you will be happy you did. The 3000 is heavy but just leave it in your truck or mount it to something. My 2 cents. one more thing it would not run my a/c until I installed the hard start capacitor thing.
dixoncider wrote: I have had nothing but problems with my 2400, matter of fact it would not start just now. ran for 4 hours no problems shut it off and tried to restart nothing. seems like it floods really easy. I took it to the dealer once already and was not impressed with the service maybe if you get a higher cost item they take better care of you. It is not that quiet. The 3000 Honda is really quiet. I have had Honda generators before and they just WORK and WORK. get the Honda, you will be happy you did. The 3000 is heavy but just leave it in your truck or mount it to something. My 2 cents. one more thing it would not run my a/c until I installed the hard start capacitor thing.
Even Mercedes, BMW and Rolls Royce have occasional lemons. If many people reported similar problems with their EF2400s then I might agree with you. Sounds like you are the exception to the rule though. Could have been something as simple as a defective carb in your case (bad aluminum casting, internal passage partially blocked).
Mine has never quit running except when it ran out of gas. It has never flooded. It has run the A/C in 95 plus heat and starts with no problem even at -1 F (I use Mobil 1 synthetic oil in it).
I am very happy with in and would recommend it to anybody.
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