Lifan ESI 2000i-CA Spec Review

Description

Zoom on the Lifan ESI 2000i-CA

In summary, the Lifan ESI 2000i-CA is a compact and lightweight portable inverter generator especially useful for:

• Tailgating and campground aficionados with the desire of enjoying power anywhere they go
• Handcrafting enthusiasts who wish to work on-the-go

In the sections ahead, the power characteristics, availability of various outlets, the portability and any additional features of the device shall be discussed, including its emission compliance information.

Power & Run Time

The Lifan ESI 2000i-CA

The Lifan ESI 2000i-CA's build contains a gasoline-fueled 105 cc Lifan OHV 4-stroke engine. With a 120V output, it gives a running wattage of 1600W and also a peak wattage of 2000W.

The inverter generator is rated for a noise of 60 dBA (just as noisy as an office). Its starting mechanism is based on a simple traditional pull-start mechanism.

Thanks to a fuel capacity of 1 gallon, the ESI 2000i-CA can operate for around 3 hours at 50% load with a full tank (fuel consumption around 0.33 GPH).

The ESI 2000i-CA produces a clean sine wave: thanks to a <2% Total Harmonic Disruption (THD), your sensitive electronics can be safely plugged in the AC outlets.

Outlets

The control panel provides the upcoming 2 AC outlets:

Duplex 120V 20A (5-20R)

It also sports 1 DC outlet: there's a 12V 3A receptacle with which charging your batteries is made easy.

Portability

The Lifan ESI 2000i-CA is an inverter generator and has an encased design of the following dimensions: L19 x W11 x H17 in. Thus, it is more aesthetical than conventional, open frame products. The design follows the contemporary trends and is perfect for recreationally generating power.

With the weight of only 48 lbs, the ESI 2000i-CA may be viewed as a lightweight and portable generator. The generator can be moved with ease by only one person and so it can be enjoyed on-the-go. A handle (molded in the case) allows you to carry it easily, further enhancing its convenience.

Features

The ESI 2000i-CA's control panel

Several light indicators serve to show you when the generator is overloaded, the generator is ready and its oil levels are insufficient.

From a security point of view, the generator is equipped with an overload protection (circuit breaker) and an automatic low oil shut-off, giving you a peace of mind during use.

Along the basic documentation and an owner's manual, useful for starting the generator right away, the Lifan ESI 2000i-CA's package also includes these accessories: battery charging cables and tool kit.

Emissions

The Lifan ESI 2000i-CA is EPA-approved and CARB-compliant. It can therefore be sold and purchased in all 50 states, including California.

Moreover, it features a spark arrestor, so it is adequate for use in forested areas.

The Lifan ESI 2000i-CA versus other generators

The following charts are provided to give you an idea of how some of the key specs of the Lifan ESI 2000i-CA compare to generators of similar power (between 1500 and 2500 W).

• As far as its dry weight is concerned, the Lifan ESI 2000i-CA weighs just 48 pounds and thus, it is one of the lighter 1500 to 2500 rated wattage generators. If you are concerned by weight, one of the champions in the above mentioned power range is the WEN 56202i, with a dry weight of just 38.6 pounds.
• Among the generators of a comparable running wattage, this inverter generator with a lowest noise of 60 dBA can be judged as noisy. If noise emissions are important to you, one of the least noisy generators of this power range is the Honda EU2200i with only 48 dBA.
• Autonomy-wise, with around 3 hours on a full tank at a 50% load, the ESI 2000i-CA is on the low end when compared to other generators of a similar power output. If autonomy is your priority, one of the devices of a similar power output with the highest run time is the Westinghouse WGen2000, reaching around 20 hours.
• Autonomy holds its importance, however, it is largely dependent on the generator’s fuel capacity and so, it is nonsensible to discuss it without mentioning fuel efficiency as well. This inverter generator is not fuel efficient compared to devices of similar output: its estimated fuel consumption stands at 0.33 GPH at a 50% load. If you are concerned with gasoline efficiency, having a fuel consumption of just 0.12 GPH, the Westinghouse iGen2200 is a device you should look out for.

Price comparison

The bottom line

Unlike many websites, we did our best to research each of the specs above. That being said, we are not immune to making the occasional mistake or omission. Should you notice any missing or incorrect values, don't hesitate to suggest improvements so we can address the issue.

About Lifan

LIFAN, or rather LIFAN Power USA, is a rather small and new company, based in Arizona. LIFAN’s range is comprised of engines and related products, such as pressure washers, water pumps and of course, generators – of which there is a surprising variety, including inverters, portable generators, but also high output, standby home generators. The company admirably admits that their primary (and most likely only) manufacturing facilities are located in China and their goal is to provide affordable products above all.

Warranty Information

The Lifan ESI 2000i-CA is covered under a warranty for up to 3 years. This warranty may be limited and may not cover all parts of the generator.
For more information about the warranty of Lifan generators, please consult Lifan's warranty policies. Alternatively, you can also contact their Customer Support: 1-866-471-7464.

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