Our Yamaha EF3000iSEB review gives you a summary of its negative and positive aspects. We also attempt to answer questions about its application, fuel type and loudness. We finish the review with an overview of its components and controls.
Yamaha EF3000iSEB: Summary
The Yamaha EF3000iSEB is a portable generator, but it has a dry weight of 154 pounds, which makes it too heavy for one person to carry. Nevertheless, you can move it on a hard surface by grabbing a handle and pulling it along on its four small built-in wheels. Two strong people can carry it when each person grabs a handle.
The Yamaha EF3000iSEB is powered by a 171cc gasoline engine. It has a 12-volt DC outlet for charging automotive batteries. It also has 20 amp and 30 amp AC power receptacles which provide 120-volt AC current. Its running wattage is 2800 while its normal surge wattage is 3000.
The key feature of the Yamaha EF3000iSEB is its internal 12-volt battery which provides power for its electric start as well as extra power for its boost control unit. The boost control unit uses power from the internal battery to boost the AC output up to 3500 watts for a maximum of 10 seconds. This extra 500-watt surge power boost is therefore only available if the internal battery is charged and not dead. The boost control unit automatically gives the Yamaha EF3000iSEB that extra surge wattage when you want to start a 13500 BTU RV air conditioner.
Another beneficial feature of the Yamaha EF3000iSEB is its built-in inverter with pulse width modulation control. It can provide clean AC power for appliances that have microcomputers.
The Yamaha EF3000iSEB has an automatic smart throttle which can be turned on or off with the economy control switch on the control panel. The smart throttle automatically adjusts the engine speed to match the current load which results in better fuel efficiency and quieter operation.
What size air conditioner can the EF3000iSEB start and run?
We think that it will start and run a 13500 BTU air conditioner if the watts required to start the electric motor is around 2500 to 3000 watts. The Yamaha EF3000iSEB generator can provide a boosted surge wattage between 3000 to 3500 watts, depending on the internal battery charge and the boost control unit.
We do not think it will start the electric motor of a 15000 BTU air conditioner: about 3500 surge wattage might be needed to start a 15000 BTU air conditioner. This is the absolute maximum starting that the Yamaha EF3000iSEB can provide. We do not think it is a good idea to function so close to its limits. The internal battery might need to be recharged too often if you use it in that way.
Can the EF3000iSEB run on propane or natural gas?
The Yamaha EF3000iSEB uses only unleaded gasoline for fuel. Nevertheless, you might buy a tri-fuel conversion kit and install it. This kit converts the gasoline generator into a unit that can run on propane, natural gas or gasoline. You install the conversion kit between the carburetor and the air filter. You do this by removing the air cleaner, installing the fuel adapter, replacing the air cleaner and mounting the fuel regulator on the frame of the generator.
Is it possible to install a remote start kit for the EF3000iSEB?
It is possible to install a remote start kit. You can install a Yamaha GNRST-50 wireless remote start kit for the EF3000iSEB inverter generator.
How loud is this inverter generator?
It has a decibel rating, from 7 meters away, that is somewhere between 53 to 60 dBA. The use of sound absorbing material in key places in the construction combined with a redesigned muffler makes the Yamaha EF3000iSEB generator surprisingly quiet.
Should I get the EF3000iSEB or the EF3000iS?
The EF3000iSEB has the boost control unit (the “B” in iSEB) which uses battery power to boost the AC output to 3500 watts for up to 10 seconds. This might be very useful when starting an RV air conditioner or anything that uses an electric motor or compressor.
The EF3000iSEB also has an electric starter (the “E” in iSEB) in addition to its recoil start. You do need to keep its internal battery charged and in good working condition, otherwise there will not be enough charge for using the electric starter or the boost control unit.
You might buy the Yamaha EF3000iSEB inverter generator if you sometimes need an extra 500 watts of surge power for a few seconds or if you want a 3000-watt inverter generator with an electric starter.
The EF3000iS does not have a boost control unit for an extra starting power boost. It does not have its own internal battery and therefore does not have an electric starter. It only has a recoil starter. The EF3000iS inverter generator is a few hundred dollars cheaper than the EF3000iSEB.
You might purchase the Yamaha EF3000iS if you do not need the extra power boost or if you do not mind pulling the recoil starter grip (buy it on Amazon).
Warning Labels
The Yamaha EF3000iSEB portable inverter generator is covered with warning labels to remind you how to operate it safely.
There is a label that warns you against the hot temperature of the exhaust. There is a danger label that warns you not to use the generator indoors because it will cause carbon monoxide poisoning. The generator must be used outdoors and away from doors and windows. There is a notice label that reminds you to only use a BPR4ES (NGK) spark plug for the engine. A bigger label gives information about the AC and DC output of the generator and its fuel.
Another label deals with the exhaust emissions of the engine. It states that the Yamaha EF3000iSEB has an engine which satisfies the Californian and the U.S. emission regulations for small engines. On a scale of one to ten, it has an air index of three (California only), which is mostly clean. The engine can be run for extended periods of time.
The next label warns you not to connect the Yamaha EF3000iSEB inverter generator to the electrical system of a house unless an electrician has installed an isolation transfer switch. The isolation transfer switch gives you the option to choose either the current from the generator or the power from the main power line. The switch isolates the two power sources. Power from the generator cannot feed back into the main power line. This protects electricians, who might be working on the main power line, from being electrocuted.
Engine
The Yamaha EF3000iSEB is powered by a 4-stroke, 171cc, single cylinder, overhead valve, air-cooled engine with a recoil starter and electric starter. Its battery is stored out of sight inside the generator housing. It has a compact muffler and a molded fan to reduce noise. The 3.4-gallon fuel tank, fuel tank cap and small fuel gauge is located on the top.
The engine switch has three positions: STOP, ON and START. Turn the knob to START and move it back to ON when the engine has started to run.
The Yamaha EF3000iSEB inverter generator has an oil warning light on its control panel that glows red if there is not enough oil in the engine crankcase. The engine stops automatically when the oil level is too low. You need to refill the oil reservoir before attempting to restart the machine.
Fuel Cock
This knob manages the flow of fuel between the fuel tank and the carburetor. Turn the knob to the ON position to let fuel flow to the carburetor before you start the engine. Turn the fuel cock to the OFF position when the engine has been stopped.
Economy Mode Control Switch
You can turn the smart throttle fuel economy system on or off with this switch. When do you turn the economy switch off? You should turn the economy switch to OFF before starting a compressor, electric motor or a pump.
DC Protector Button
This protects the DC circuit against overloading. Its default position is RESET, which is also used to reset the DC circuit if it has automatically turned off the current due to an overload. In the OFF position no DC current flows.
Mobility
The Yamaha EF3000iSEB generator has two carrying handles and four wheels to make it more mobile. The caster wheel in the front has a caster lock lever which can be pushed to a locked position to prevent the generator from moving. Release the caster lock lever when you want to move the generator on its wheels to a new area.
Yamaha EF3000iSEB: Verdict
We think the Yamaha EF3000iSEB is expensive, great quality, reliable and relatively quiet. It can be unexpectedly powerful when the extra power boost of 500 watts from its internal battery is available (view offers on Amazon).
P.S. Looking for another 3000-watt portable inverter generator? Read our Honda EU3000iS review.