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Boondocker · 02-18-2007, 03:05 PM

Im about to pull the trigger on the Yamaha ef 2400is with propane conversion from US Carburator. Anyone have this unit? Does anyone know what the change is from the EU to the EI serries? And who has done business with this company? Here is the link: EF2400is

thanks

TomW · 02-18-2007, 03:11 PM

I noticed the Yamaha 2400 the other day in an ad, and was struck by the ad's claim that it would run an air conditioner.

What are you expecting out of the unit, Rodney?

Tom

Boondocker · 02-18-2007, 03:15 PM

Mostly recharging of the battery banks, run the powersaw while I put the new laminate flooring in this spring, and the occasional AC run if need be.

cammur · 02-18-2007, 05:05 PM

EU is I think Honda nomenclature. Yamaha has i, iS, and iSE and I too am not clear on what this all means. I've been considering the iS tri-fuel model as well, look forward to replies from others.

**moosetags** · 02-18-2007, 06:24 PM

I, too, am ready to add a generator to compliment my cronic Aluminitis. I have also read ads that claim this unit can operate a 13,500 btu RV A/C unit. The specs seem to bear that out or am I missing something?

Silvertwinkie · 02-18-2007, 06:35 PM

If you are dealing with US Carbueration, I waited nearly 3 weeks for my gen....

I have a propane powered Yamaha 1000 and love it. Since even the 2400 (single) won't power the A/C unit, I opted to go smaller. The 1000 came with battery charging cables. Been very pleased with it so far. I would think you'd be equally pleased with a propane Honda as well.

Boondocker · 02-18-2007, 06:48 PM

Will it or wont the 2400 run an AC unit? Who actually knows the anwser to this?

3DogNight · 02-18-2007, 06:59 PM

My understanding is that the Honda is quieter than the Yamaha. Does anyone have actual experience? Also does US Carburation do the actual conversion to propane? I was aware they had the Yamaha but if the Honda was truly quieter I would go that direction. They are both good units. 3DogNight

minuet7.3 · 02-18-2007, 07:09 PM

Dont forget that the propane conversion kit will cost you about 15% of the output of the gasoline ratings. You will have only 2040 watts of actual output from the machine on propane. This is due mainly to the reduced energy content of propane.
Curt

2airishuman · 02-18-2007, 07:20 PM

hi rodney...

the answer is a definite maybe.

or not.

denellen reports that the gas 2400 will run his a/c, but the propane version is 10% less power, approximately

mike lewis reports his 2800 yamaha barely started his 13.5 a/c...he may have swapped to the 2x2k hondas

david tidmore tells us the 13.5/15000 btu a/c require 3500watts of start up power...

the 2400 yamaha has a peak of well, 2400 watts, and on gasoline.

do you have the specs for your a/c? what are the start up needs?

looks to me that this (startup) is the limiting issue...

there was a pretty complete article in airstream life last year on yamaha gen sets....

looks like the typical 13.5 a/c needs at least a 3000w genset, which is why folks opt for 2x2000honda or the 3000
yamaha.

i've read posts from a dozen or so here, who own the 2400 and denellen is the only one i remember reporting success.

pmclemore also has one but i've not seen a comment related to the a/c.

cheers
2air'

Ron Edwords · 02-18-2007, 09:58 PM

Will the Yamaha 2400 gas or propane handle the smaller AC 1100 BTU?

Thanks Ron E.

Silvertwinkie · 02-19-2007, 06:44 AM

2000 will start an 11k unit...not sure on a 13.5k and clearly no way for a 15k btu unit.

2400 would be the same, except on the 13.5k, there I am not sure.

3000 would clearly run a 13.5k unit, but may be close for a 15k unit.

Where there is no question would be 2 units in par for any of the above.

I made a choice a while back myself and that was to get the 15k unit. I was told by Dometic that it will need 3k watts, maybe slightly more at startup to avoid wrecking the compressor.

So to hedge my bet, I bought and had installed 2 Fantastic Vents since I thought maybe one day I could afford 2 gens. Well, that day never arrived and even if it had, I found myself questioning (for my use) if it was worth lugging around 1 big gen or two gens and instead I use the 1000 to top off the batts and run the fans during extended periods. The 1000 is very quiet too.

wahoonc · 02-19-2007, 07:16 AM

I am not going to weigh in on the original question

However Yamaha makes a boost generator that "supposedly" will start the 13.5k A/C unit. I would be concerned running a generator that close to capacity. If you have the A/C running, along with the univolt/intelipower, your entertainment system and decide you want to heat up a bag of popcorn for a snack just as the A/C cycles on you may overload the generator. Also just a note as an FYI the 12 volt charger cables that come with the are a waste of time in my opinion. You would be better served by getting a small portable battery charger, a lot quicker and more efficient in my book. My personal choice in generators are the Hondas. The only time I have hooked my Airstream up to a generator, power was not and issue...17kw/3ph/408 diesel

I suspect it would power several Airstreams without breaking a sweat.

Aaron

**moosetags** · 02-19-2007, 08:15 AM

Ya know, the more I think about it, the more I like silvertwinkie's idea of just getting a nice, small Honda 1000 to keep the batteries charged and watch a movie. A second Fantastic Fan is my next upgrade. Thanx.

Silvertwinkie · 02-19-2007, 08:21 AM

Keep in mind that the 1000 doesn't power the factory supplied Microwave (even at low power setting)....to some that is an issue. For my needs though, it's a non-issue.

I like playing music and with the newly installed sub I put in, the 2 batteries can quickly discharge, so having the gen in my setup works great because I only want to charge the batteries and maybe run both fans on high (no air conditioner).

If you have any thought to running the factory supplied microwave, then the 2000 or higher is your beast. I perfer the propane converted unit (either brand, Yamaha- which I have, or Honda, which is also great) because in my case, I want to haul the gen in the back of the Suburban. No gasoline fumes, etc and stores very cleanly without residual odors (gasoline, etc).

pmclemore · 02-19-2007, 09:32 AM

Rodney,

I bought the Yamaha ef2400is - the tri-fuel version even though I doubt I'll ever have a chance at the natural gas ability. But it didn't cost anything, so what the heck.

It is a good size for me. I can lift it in and out of my pickup if I am alone. It will run my a/c, but my unit is a 11k unit. There seems to be some doubt as to whether it will handle the 13.5, but I am not sure it will not. I also do not believe the 10-15% reduction in power when you convert from gas to propane is strictly correct.

I like the machine a lot. It is easy to start whether you are using gas or propane. Be sure and order the propane hose and quick-release fittings (easier to get it from them than to chase the parts yourself.)

As for the company, I think they are straight folks, but they don't communicate very well. I ordered my unit last March (I think) and did not get it until June. As I was getting ready to leave on my AK trip 7/15, I was getting real antsy. My calls to the company were either answered casually (they told me what they think I wanted to hear rather than what I needed to hear) and then did not call back at all. I would have cancelled my order if there had been any other choice. You can imagine my relief when I was finally notified it was shipping. And it came well protected and exactly as I had ordered it.

So - if there had to one thing I have to be less than pleased about, I'm glad it was weak communication.

Be glad to share more if you would like.

Pat

Silvertwinkie · 02-19-2007, 09:36 AM

Pat, I couldn't agree more.

Boondocker · 02-20-2007, 09:56 AM

I just ordered the EF 2400is with the remote start option a few minutes ago. I debated going with a smaller unit in consideration of the question about being able to run the AC, In the end I decided it might be better to have the extra capacity whether or not the generator would run the AC. I also got the remote starter unit. They promised delivery in 2-3 weeks from today. I will keep everyone posted on how US Carb does on getting the unit here in time and on how the unit performs.

Pick · 02-20-2007, 10:08 AM

I was told that you will not lose 10% with a Honda EU series on propane. That is because of the way it is designed to work. It simply throttles up it's speed when it needs more alternator output. A standard generator has to run at 3600 RPM or 1800 RPM so it throttles up and maintains RPM. A Honda EU does not have this limitation, it can speed up to, I think 4500 RPM if need be. This does not give you a license to overload the unit, though.

I have started my 13,500 BTU Coleman with a single EU2000i, but it was in the high 70's when I did it. Try it when it is 90+ out and you will pop the breaker on startup. I would not run the A/C for more than 20 minutes if you do get it to start.