I recently bought a tri-fuel (gas, propane, natural gas) Yamaha EF2400is Generator from U.S. Carburetion (Yamaha Propane and Natural Gas Generators), and I thought my experiences might interest other AS owners.
I really wanted a propane powered generator, because I tow with an SUV and I hated the thought of transporting gasoline inside the car (or anywhere else, for that matter). And since U.S. Carburetion seems to be the major player in the propane generator market, I considered placing an order with them. But after searching the forum's archives, I noticed that some AS owners have had huge problems with them in the past. One owner, for example, complained that he had to wait several months before his order was fulfilled, and during the delay he said US Carb provided poor customer service. Still, when the generator finally arrived, he liked it, and his view was that US Carb was honest and competent...just inept at customer service.
That's not what I would call a glowing recommendation, but I recently bit the bullet...despite the fact that I'd also had trouble connecting with US Carb by phone and email.
To my amazement, the generator was shipped the same day I placed my online order!!! And when it arrived a few days later, I found US Carb's supplemental instructions to be reasonably clear and helpful. Best of all, the generator started immediately and ran well. I used the generator on my last trip, and it performed perfectly, running for at least six hours on a 5-lb propane tank that still isn't empty!
Things weren't perfect, however. US Carb forgot to include a "Quick Disconnect" I ordered, but when I informed them of the oversight, they responded immediately, apologizing for the problem and sending a replacement right away.
The only problem I've had with the generator is that the tachometer didn't operate reliably. That's important because you need to monitor the revs when you're setting the leanness/richness of the fuel mixture. When I contacted US Carb, they set my expectations pretty low by claiming Yamaha said the tach might not work with the EF2400is...a claim I have not been able to independently verify. And when I contacted the tach's manufacturer, they scoffed at that idea. In any case, after opening the generator, I found that the ground wire (which US Carb had added when they made the tri-fuel modifications) had come loose. I reattached it (a 10 minute project), and the tach has run great ever since.
On balance, I have been very pleased by my dealings with U.S. Carburetion. Although there were a couple of small problems with my order, my impression is that U.S. Carb is improving quickly, and so I would definitely do business with them again. On the other hand, they still don't provide a satisfactory response to general phone calls or email, and I can't vouch for their future performance. Nevertheless, I like the generator, and I was impressed that U.S. Carb got it to me so quickly.
Oh...and then there's the money. Including shipping, I paid about $1,600 for this tri-fuel generator. That's a significant mark-up from the cost of a stock model, but the ability to run on propane and natural gas is worth the premium to me. And...Yamaha says you can link two EF2400is generators together to produce enough electricity to...uh...well, to run Los Angeles! Or maybe it was Phoenix...I forget.
I hope these comments are helpful to others who are thinking about taking the plunge into propane-powered generators.
Thanks for the info. I have been considering the same as you for some time now, debating between the Yamaha 2400 and 3000 propane generators. I also have read the issues with U.S. Carburetion but based on the general consensus and your report here I think I as well will be buying my generator through them.
Finally went out to a local dealer to check out the generators in person and will be going with the 2400 as well. The 3000 is just too heavy to be practical for my needs.
Just called them (US Carbur...) at 5:01pm. "We are closed, regular business hours from 9:30 to 4:30 monday through friday."
Must be deer huntin season!
Last night I called Wise at 7:30pm EDT and 1st ring Ed answered, and I find out he is one of the owners? I asked why he was still at work and something about doing inventory.
Finally went out to a local dealer to check out the generators in person and will be going with the 2400 as well. The 3000 is just too heavy to be practical for my needs.
I'm wondering why most people seem to ignore the EF2800i? It's a tick lighter than the 2400 and if it's enough to run the AC a whole lot cheaper and easier than paralleling two 2400s.
Ditto your observations. Love my 1000. The 2400 nor the 2800 series would power my 15k BTU A/C unit solo, so, I opted for the smalles footprint that would charge my batts, run my fantastic vents at full draw, run the stereo and when none of these are running, run my electric 1hp chain saw.
Same problem with me. Have and SUV and don't want to transport can of gas in the trailer or SUV.
Works great all around and I too look fwd to many years of use.
__________________
Computers manufactured by companies such as IBM, Compaq and millions of others are by far the most popular with about 70 million machines in use worldwide. Macintosh fans note that cockroaches are far more numerous than humans and that numbers alone do not denote a higher life form. -NY Times 11/91
I looked at the Onans. From what I can see, they have portables and they have propane generators but they don't have portable propane generators. Plus their 2500 lp weighs and costs as much as the Yamaha 3000 seb with propane conversion. Which is why, I think, the Yamahas and Hondas are more popular.
I told them when I had to have it when I ordered and they came through. I think it is fair to say they are having growing pains. I love my 2400 and yes, it looks like it will run my AC OK.
__________________ "If a man does not have an ideal and try to live up to it, then he becomes a mean, base and sordid creature, no matter how successful." Letter to his son Kermit, quoted in Theodore Roosevelt by Joseph Bucklin Bishop, 1915
I'm wondering why most people seem to ignore the EF2800i? It's a tick lighter than the 2400 and if it's enough to run the AC a whole lot cheaper and easier than paralleling two 2400s.
-Bernie
Bernie,
How does the sound level of the 2800 compare to the 2400? I would consider it if it is not too loud.
I'm wondering why most people seem to ignore the EF2800i? It's a tick lighter than the 2400 and if it's enough to run the AC a whole lot cheaper and easier than paralleling two 2400s.
-Bernie
Also, Does it run your A/C? What size do you have? Thanks, jk
As most of the folks here on the Forum are quite mechanically adept, one should be able to either:
1) remove the gasoline carb from their Yamaha and send it back to US Carb for them to do the LP conversion....(this is done at NO CHARGE when you order the conversion kit)
2)Buy the conversion kit from US Carb and do the conversion yourself.
I have done both, and the service was excellent both times. I sent them the carb from a dead 7000watt Onan gasser and they converted it and returned all of the parts, along with the conversion stuff like quick connects, pancake regulator, hoses, etc.
I also have a Yamaha EF1000iS that I will be converting myself. The instructions are crystal clear, and you save the time and $$$ on shipping them your carb, plus you get to know your new generator inside and out!
Just another way to get a Yamaha the way you want it!
__________________ Lew Farber -Certified Master RV Tech (currently on Forums sabbatical) WBCCI #1456/VAC (assoc) #1456 AIR # 10325 CHARTER MEMBER: FOUR CORNERS UNIT
I'm wondering why most people seem to ignore the EF2800i? It's a tick lighter than the 2400 and if it's enough to run the AC a whole lot cheaper and easier than paralleling two 2400s.
-Bernie
Bernie---I had a 2800 for a short while and found it to noisy. it wasn't bad at the low rpms but under load as when running an ac it was Just To Loud ! It would run our 13500 ac but only with nothing else on,at altitude it struggled. Traded for 2 Honda 2000's----pieman
Quick Links
I vote for US carb 
Linear Mode
