Abby’s Guide > Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) > Discussions > Yamaha EF3000ISEB Generator
Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions |
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Richie
 
Bring On The White Stuff
Location: Long Island, New York
Joined: Dec 12, 2003
Points: 562
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Yamaha EF3000ISEB Generator
Original Message Jul 27, 2005 10:25 am |
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Hi folks, We decided to purchase a portable generator for our home. We didn't want to spend a huge amount of money, however, high quality and quiet was top on my list, so we had to look beyond what Lowes or Home Depot sells. Prior to purchasing, I got my hands on one of those, "Kill-A-Watt" meters and I'm sure glad I did. Most generator websites or dealers all pull out that same wattage chart. I'm glad I investigated our own appliances for myself because it I hadn't, I would have been forced to purchase much more generator than what was actually required. Running our refrigerator, 27" color TV, Microwave, 5,000 BTU A/C unit (summer months), oil furnace and some lights would be great. I originally had settled on the Honda EU3000ISA, which is an inverter unit, but decided not to purchase it because there were to many extras that would still have to be purchased as options. The wheel kit and a battery for electric start, just to name two things made me feel I really wasn't getting such a great deal with this brand name for $1,699.00 through an online purchase, $1,799.00 plus tax if through my local dealer. I did more research and found the Yamaha EF3000ISEB with it's innovative BOOST technology to be an excellent choice. It comes with the wheel kit and front and rear grab bars, and the battery if you're too lazy to pull the recoil starter. It's also the most quiet generator you can buy today. Although this generator is designed to produce 2,800 watts of continuous power, it has a surge rating of 3000 watts. However, the BOOST control feature actually makes it equivalent to a 3,500 watt generator because if you turn on an electric motor that requires high amps, this control feature senses additional power is required and diverts power from the onboard battery for up to 10 seconds of extra boost. This Yamaha generator has gotten such rave reviews, it seemed like the perfect portable for us at $1,899.00 delivered, which is arriving today through a mail order purchase from Mayberry's. We could have purchased one of those $700.00 5,500 watt units from Lowes, but the noise would have been unbearable, especially for our neighbors. Also the fact that the Yamaha is under 150 lbs thanks to the compact inverter technology, was another big selling point. I'll let you know how the run-in goes. Richie
This message was modified Jul 27, 2005 by Richie
Richie
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Richie
Bring On The White Stuff
Location: Long Island, New York
Joined: Dec 12, 2003
Points: 562
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Re: Yamaha EF3000ISEB Generator
Reply #14 Jul 28, 2005 10:23 am |
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Maybe there's a "ground fault" outlet protector that can be plugged into the generator's outlets for shock protection... or maybe the outlets can be replaced w/ ground fault ones... or maybe it has this already ! ? Hey Dave, There is only one Duplex receptacle on this generator and one L5-30 amp twist lock. I purchased a 25' L5-30 twist lock convenience cord that has 4 standard 20 amp outlets on the other end. Until such a time as I can have this generator professionally wired to a transfer switch into the house, I really won't be using the Duplex receptacle on the generator. I don't know if the 30 amp twist lock on the generator can keep water out during rain, but I'm not aware of anything that can be done for that receptacle itself. I'll look into replacing the Duplex on it with a GFI for additional safety. I think the best solution would be to use a table standing over the generator if it becomes necessary to use it during adverse weather conditions. Great solutions, thanks.
Richie
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spottedpony
Joined: Aug 23, 2004
Points: 301
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Re: Yamaha EF3000ISEB Generator
Reply #17 Jul 28, 2005 2:35 pm |
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There is only one Duplex receptacle on this generator and one L5-30 amp twist lock.
I don't know if the 30 amp twist lock on the generator can keep water out during rain, but I'm not aware of anything that can be done for that receptacle itself. I'll look into replacing the Duplex on it with a GFI for additional safety. Changing the duplex recepticle to a gfci on a generator will entail some modifications to the shroud the device is mounted in. and possibly you wont have room to mount a gfci device. as they are substantially larger than a standard duplex. perhaps a better solution would be a short pigtail cord such as some contractors use, that has gfci protection incorporated into it would be a simpeler alternate solution. Be aware too, when using the generator as a backup for supplying household needs, you wont be able to incorporate a gfci device into your connection to your household panel. Due to the number of circuits you will be feeding, and the amount of resistance and increased tempratures sensed by the gfci, encountered by the gfci device, it will continually trip. (gfci devices operate by sensing resistance on all 3 conductors, power, neutral and ground, simotaniously so if you upset the resistance balance on any two of the 3 conductors, your device trips out) Currently there are no twist lock gfci devices on the market, that im aware of, so using one of the above mentioned pigtails with the cord end changed to the L5-30 configuration would be the only viable option. as for incliment weather protection, ive used something similar to a "table" over mine for many years on a 5.5kw generac, and encountered no problems. actually what i do is use a piece of plywood thats about 12 inches larger than the length and width of ghe generator, which i lay on top of the generator frame tubes, and i just hold it in place with a couple of tarp straps. something else to keep in mind NEC requires generator frames to be grounded in addition to your ground carried through the recepticle. in the case of a vehicle mounted generator they should be grounded to the vehicle frame, or to use them as a back up generator as you intend, be sure to ground to a good earth source such as the ground rod located near your electric meter, using no smaller than a #6 conductor. in a pinch a set of jumper cables can be used to make a temporary ground connection. (again in my application ive attached a piece of #4 welder lead to the ground lug on the generator frame, with a heavy duty welder ground clamp i can attach to a ground rod or other good earthing point. & which i just roll up around the handles on the generator cart when not in use) also, looking at the specs on this generator, the EF3000ISEB is strictly a 120 v. output, so be sure when using it for emergency power, shut off all 240 v breakers as not supplying the correct voltage to a 240 V appliance in some cases can cause nasty things to happen to the appliances. hopefully this will help keep generator use when necessary as safe as possible.
This message was modified Jul 28, 2005 by spottedpony
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Richie
Bring On The White Stuff
Location: Long Island, New York
Joined: Dec 12, 2003
Points: 562
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Re: Yamaha EF3000ISEB Generator
Reply #18 Jul 28, 2005 9:37 pm |
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Thanks for all that detailed information, Spotte. Our generator arrived today from Mayberry's. The trucking company did a great job handling it and delivered it without a dent or scratch on it. The owners manual was really well written making it a breeze to get up and running. We added oil to the engine and electrolyte to the battery. After adding some PRI-G stabilized fuel to the tank, I turned the key and it started on the first try.
The owners manual wants you to always start it up with the economy engine switch in the "off" position. What was incredible to us was that we didn't realize it allows the generator start at full engine speed. We actually thought it was idling it was so quiet. We realized after a few minutes of warm-up, switching on the "economy" switch the engine began to idle way down. I couldn't believe how quiet 57 dB really is, and 51 at actual idle.
We decided to test it by plugging in our refrigerator and microwave at the same time. It ran both effortlessly. As for fit and finish, even my wife thought it was done flawlessly. Yamaha obviously put a great deal of engineering and quality control into this generator.
I'm more convinced than ever after seeing and running it that it was a far better deal than the Honda EU3000I. It came with the spark plug wrench, battery and tray, electrolyte, DC battery cables, and the wheel kit with locking wheels, and front and rear grab bars that are part of the frame. The engine oil I had to purchase. Aside from the oil, the rest of these items were all options on the Honda, and very expense too. Honda really needs to come off their high horse. When removing one of the shrouds to install the battery, I noticed they had over an inch of high quality sound absorbing foam lining the inside. Everything was meticulously assembled and wires properly tie strapped. Oil changes will be very easy and won't make a mess because there is a special plug that allows the oil to drain through the frame to your catch pan. I'm going to have to write a good review on this one My hat is off to Yamaha on this one
This message was modified Jul 28, 2005 by Richie
Richie
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BCS Tractor & snowblower
Thanks buddy!
