Yamaha Generator Experience

[billwill]

Starting the search for a new portable generator. In looking at those available, the Yamaha Generator looks pretty good for the money in the 7200 watt range. Don't trust the Chinese Harbor Freight ones and Hondas while great are a little pricey.

Anybody got any history with the Yamahas?

 

[Squarebutt]

I've got one I bought in the 1980s and banged around construction jobs for years. It's still going strong as a backup in case the power goes out at the house. I'd buy it again, and although the new ones are completely different, I think the quality is still good. Yamaha makes a lot of power equipment, including some great motorcycles, outboards, etc.

 

[824tsv]

I bought a Suzuki Gen in the early 90's. I would think the Yamaha is just as good. Mine has been problem free. Only used as a back up and not very much, but it never fails to start.

 

[Calaveras Slim]

I bought a Generac in the late 90's and when I broke down in the south west in June, I had to run it 24/7 for three days to keep my wife cool in the RV. I got the truck fixed and went on to my folks place and when I got there, there was oil all over the bed of the truck. Seems the running of the generator blew the seals. It had a Briggs engine and they made it good

Told me that I needed a DOHC engine to run it like that. Still confused.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

I know more expensive/name brand is better. However years ago I bought a 3700 watt from HF. Bought it to construct deer stands in the woods.
Twice in the last couple of years mine has run 2-3 days non stop powering lights/tv/fireplace blower/coffee pot/ skillet etc. when we had ice storm-power outages...........Never missed a lick.

 

[litenlarry]

To me the most important item is having a Cast Sleeve on the engine..It makes for longer engine life..

 

[crsides]

we literally built our cabin using a Champion from Sams Club. I'm sure it was Chinese mfg but it never missed a lick. It is big, at 9000kw and makes some noise when running. Got little gadgets like remote electric start, etc. Also had a 240 outlet which came in handy running the well. We finally got power a few months ago, but keeping the Champion for back up.

Good luck with the generator. See you in Greensboro.

Charlie

 

[cttechguy]

I have 2 Yahama 5000 watt portable units that I bought in the mid 80s. used them in construction for 10 years or so, they still work to this day. The key is taking care of them.
Mike in CT

 

[Abbynormal]

I've always found that the Honda powered generators, pumps, chippers, power washers were the best. Never took more than 2 pulls to start, lasted forever. Change oil on schedule, change air filter, run gas dry and keep a fresh jerrycan of gas handy and you are always GTG.

 

[msinc]

To me the most important item is having a Cast Sleeve on the engine..It makes for longer engine life..

I was an automotive machinist for 16 years. This makes sense, iron has to be tougher than aluminum. But it just don't work this way...I have reconditioned many small engines and the aluminum cylinder types would often show less wear in the cylinder than the ones with a liner. Often, they didn't even need to be bored to an oversize...a good hone and new rings and they were back in service. 4 stroke small engines having a liner was really a selling point because many people believe it is better.
That said, there is no such thing {at least that I ever saw} as a two stroke outboard without a cast iron liner.
I won a Honda Inverter {fancy name for a generator, must be a selling point too!!} and it is the quietest one made. It also has a hard wired remote start which I use at my cabin. I would have no problem buying a Yamaha if they were as quiet. Yamaha is a very high quality product and a first rate piece of equipment. I would say definitely buy with confidence.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

When I was building houses I knew couple guys that had Yamaha generators. I don't remember that they griped about them, and they liked to gripe about stuff.

I have a Honda EM5000. Its rated at 4500w compared to the Yamaha 7200 rated at 6000w. The Honda has a bit larger displacement engine to generate about 25% less watts. Maybe one of the reasons Honda has a reputation to not fail like others sometimes do. That said, the guy at Honda told me to hang onto the one I have. He'd said the new ones were not near as good. Didn't elaborate.

 

[Sven]

I won a Honda Inverter {fancy name for a generator, must be a selling point too!!} and it is the quietest one made.

I believe this style of generator actually generates 12VDC and uses an inverter to put out 110VAC. Inverter style generators also have a 12 volt outlet (of course you also need to purchase a proprietary plug-in to use the 12 volt). A standard generator must run at a constant 1800 rpm (depending on the windings) to put out 60 cycle power. An inverter can put out 60 cycle power at or just above idle, which is one reason they're so quiet. I have a Yamaha inverter and it's just as quiet as a Honda.

 

[litenlarry]

Back in the day's when I worked construction at remote sites, the generator of choice was a Multi-Quip 5kw high cycle, with a automatic idle back feature..They were hard to beat..They were the "Timex watch" of gen sets..
That was 25 years ago..

 

[chief38]

My neighbor has Yamaha 5K and I have a Generac XG (Contractor Series - built in USA) 8K. We both ran them 24/7 for 10 1/2 days after Hurricane Sandy - lost power and was COLD here. Both performed perfectly. My Generac gets used a few times a month and has never let me down - neither has my Neighbors Yamaha.