Review: Yamaha EF2200iS inverter generator

When the Yamaha EF2200iS arrived a few years ago, it plugged the gap in the range, and while it’s small, it’s strong enough to power your caravan’s air-conditioning. We test it out!

About the Yamaha EF2200iS generator

The Yamaha EF2200iS inverter generator sits between the smaller EF2000iS and the larger EF2400iS. It has an extra 200W compared with the EF2000iS while being smaller and lighter than the EF2400iS. And this extra 200W of power means the thing has enough grunt to run your caravan’s air-conditioning.

The crucial part here is an aircon draws much more load at start-up than when running, so the generator you choose must have the capacity to manage that initial requirement. This Yamaha model has the peak 2200W capability but is rated at 1800W AC output.

How noisy is the Yamaha EF2200iS?

While plenty of caravans these days offer solar power, there are still times when you’ve got to get out the generator. Sure, some will argue against the use of a generator because of the noise, but the EF2200iS is pretty quiet as far as generators go, with Yamaha claiming levels of 57~65dBA.

Is the Yamaha EF2200iS easy to use?

Like the rest of the Yamaha generator range, the EF2200iS is simple to use. There are three handles, an easy-to-read multi-purpose LED indicator, and it weighs 25kg dry. It’s easy to start, too; simply turn the front dial to ‘run’, have the choke pulled out all the way, give the chord a quick tug, and it fires up reliably.

How big is it? Am I going to be able to store it in my caravan?

The Yamaha EF2200iS generator measures 555mm x 300mm x 470mm, so it’s small enough to fit in the front storage bin of most caravans or even on a fridge slide. And for those of you who aren’t on the road all the time, the EF2200iS has a fuel drain switch. This means that when you go to store it, you don’t have to worry about it leaking in your caravan or vehicle or ending up with stale fuel in your generator the next time you go to use it.

What’s the run time on the Yamaha EF2200iS?

Yamaha claims the EF2200iS will run for up to 10.5 hours with its 4.7-litre fuel tank, saying the Smart Throttle function, which adjusts the engine speed to match the load, means the unit runs with increased fuel efficiency.

How much can it power?

The Yamaha EF2200iS has three output sources, two AC outputs and one 12-volt cigarette-lighter-style output. On our test, we plugged in as many devices as we had with us – camera batteries, laptop charging, etc. – as well as used the generator to run the Dometic FJ2200 air-conditioner on the Ezytrail Ceduna 13 caravan we were using, and it handled it all without drama. Indeed, at no time did it show the load above three lights.

Don’t believe us? Here’s our video proof!

The EF2200iS inverter generator neatly plugs the gap in the Yamaha range, allowing caravanners to buy a portable generator capable of powering a broad range of caravan aircon systems and the run of devices we carry with us these days.

Words by Josh Needs. Images by Shane Stiffle.

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