Yamaha EF5500DE (Discontinued)
The Yamaha EF5500DE is a portable open frame generator with a rated wattage of 4,500 W and a starting wattage of 5,500 W. (Read full specs)
This product has been discontinued. We've kept this page live for reference.
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Description
POWER‑PACKED AND LOADED WITH FEATURES. The EF5500 offers the Contractor and home back up customer 5500 watts of power at a great value.
Zoom on the Yamaha EF5500DE
In a nutshell, the Yamaha EF5500DE is a portable generator mostly geared towards:
- RV travellers who wish to upgrade their experience to another level
- People occasionally participating in sporting competitions, open-air performances and outdoor festivals
- Homeowners who want to be sure of their ability to power their fridges, cooking tools, heating and lighting equipment during power failures
- Professionals who want to ensure that a power failure will not prevent them from working
Over the following sections, you'll uncover its power characteristics, the selection of outlets it offers, its overall portability, and the supplementary features it includes.
Power & Run Time
The Yamaha EF5500DE
Yamaha EF5500DE runs on gasoline, powered by a 358 cc Yamaha MZ360 OHV 4-stroke engine, delivering 120/240V, boasting a running wattage of 4,500W alongside a starting wattage of 5,500W.
With a noise rating of 74.1 dBA (just slightly more noisy than a dishwasher), the generator features a traditional recoil pull-start mechanism, but also a user-friendly and hassle-free electric starter (battery included).
The EF5500DE can operate for around 13.5 hours at 50% load with a full tank (fuel consumption around 0.51 GPH), due to its fuel capacity of 6.9 gallons.
Since the EF5500DE has a somewhat high THD (<7%), it is advisable to not use it for the powering of sensitive electronic devices.
Outlets
The control panel features 6 AC outlets as follows:
Despite not meeting the 'RV Ready' criteria, this Yamaha generator grants the advantage of simple RV compatibility via its L5-30R receptacle, enabling you to conveniently power your RV by using an L5-30P to TT-30R adaptor. Besides, because the EF5500DE is equipped with a twist-lock L14-30R receptacle, it is transfer switch ready: it can power your home during a power outage, as it can be easily connected to your breaker box to power your household.
Portability
At L29.1 x W29 x H31.5 in, the standard open frame design of the Yamaha EF5500DE delivers stability alongside easy maintenance access to components and good air cooling. The device has been designed for tough environments and demanding outdoor use.
With a weight of 238.1 lbs, the generator is still labeled as 'portable,' denoting its ability to be moved, although its heaviness might restrict easy portability. Nevertheless, it can still be moved quite conveniently with the help of its wheel kit and its folding handle, once it is placed on the ground.
The generator comes with an additional safety feature, a lift hook on the top of its frame, which is helpful during its transport, loading and unloading.
Features
The EF5500DE's control panel
Featuring a digital data center on its control panel, the EF5500DE offers you convenient access to essential information about the voltage and lifetime run hours, facilitating effective monitoring of its activity and status.
In addition to this info, a light indicator shows you if the oil level is too low.
A built-in fuel gauge allows for a quick, easy and convenient check of the fuel level of the generator.
Security-wise, this product benefits from an overload protection (circuit breaker) and an automatic low oil shut-off (Oil Watch system), which gives you a complete peace of mind when using it.
Yamaha's Oil Watch warning system gives you an extra peace of mind. This feature enhances long-term durability by preventing engine damage and costly repairs. Once the oil begins to run low, the generator automatically shuts off and cannot be re-started until oil is added.
It also includes a carbon monoxide sensor. This sensor is designed to monitor the level of carbon monoxide present during the generator's operation. If the generator is positioned incorrectly and carbon monoxide levels rise to an unsafe level, the generator will automatically shut down.
Alongside the typical set of documentation and owner's manual (opens in a new tab) to assist with setup, Yamaha has included a tool kit in the packaging of the EF5500DE.
Product Video
The Yamaha EF5500DE versus other generators
The following charts are provided to give you an idea of how some of the key specs of the Yamaha EF5500DE compare to generators of similar power (between 4000 and 5000 W).
- With a weight of 238.1 lbs, the Yamaha EF5500DE is notably on the heaviest side among generators in the 4000-5000 rated wattage range. If weight is your top priority, one of the champions in this power category is the Pulsar PGX5250BiXCO, weighing just 64 pounds.
- When compared to devices able to produce a similar running wattage, this generator and its lowest emitted noise of 74.1 dBA is on the noisier side. If you wish to prioritize minimal noise, the Yamaha EF4500iSE stands out as one of the quietest options among generators of similar power, with a rating of 58 dBA.
- Thanks to an impressive running time of around 13.5 hours at 50% load, the EF5500DE benefits from a higher run time than many generators of a similar output. If run time is one of your main concerns, the NorthStar c5500 could be worth looking at. It boasts one of the highest run times among units of comparable power, lasting around 15.1 hours.
- Run time is a key metric, but it's dependent on the generator's fuel tank capacity. Therefore, discussing fuel efficiency is necessary for a complete understanding. This generator is rather wasteful, compared to other devices within the aforementioned output range, when it comes to gasoline consumption, as it reaches roughly 0.51 GPH at a 50% load. If minimizing fuel usage is one of your key priorities, the WEN DF480iX is one of the most efficient devices with similar power output, with a gasoline consumption of only 0.27 gallons per hour.
The bottom line
- CO sensor
- GFCI Outlets
- Electric start
- High run time
- No remote start
- On the heavy side (238.1 lbs)
- On the noisy side (74.1 dBA)
- Low fuel efficiency
Do you own the Yamaha EF5500DE and agree (or disagree) with these strengths and weaknesses?
Let us know and write your own review.
Features and Specifications
| Inverter | No |
|---|---|
| Parallel capable | No |
| RV ready | No |
| Fuel | Gasoline |
| Engine | 358 cc Yamaha MZ360 OHV 4-stroke |
| Starting system | Recoil, Electric |
| Warranty | 3 years |
| Voltage | AC: 120/240V 60 Hz |
|---|---|
| Running watts | 4,500 W |
| Starting watts | 5,500 W |
| Running amps (@120/240V) | 37.5/18.8 amps |
| Peak amps (@120/240V) | 45.8/22.9 amps |
| Run time @50% load | 13.5 h |
| Run time @25% load | Unknown |
| GFCI outlets | Yes |
|---|---|
| Covered outlets | No |
| Automatic Voltage Regulation | Yes |
| AC outlets |
|
| DC outlets | No |
| Data center | Lifetime run hours and voltage |
| Indicators | Low oil |
| Fuel tank | Metal, 6.9 gal |
| Fuel gauge | Yes |
| Weight | 238.1 lbs |
|---|---|
| Approx. dimensions (L x W x H) | 29.1 x 29 x 31.5 in |
| Noise (lower limit) | 74.1 dBA |
| THD | < 7% |
| Compliance | CARB, EPA |
| Security | Low oil and overload protection, CO monitoring |
| Spark arrestor | Yes |
| Neutral | Bonded to frame |
| Accessories included | Tool kit, battery, and wheel kit |
| Country of origin | China |
| Series | Industrial |
| Other model numbers | EF55DEX |
| UPC | 765053823098 |
We've taken extra care to research and verify each of the specifications above. That said, occasional mistakes or omissions are still possible. If you spot any missing or inaccurate information, feel free to suggest a correction so we can address it.
About Yamaha
With a rich history of over 130 years, the Japanese based Yamaha Corporation, founded in 1887, has tipped its fingers in every industry imaginable, most notably motorcycles, musical instruments and electronics. The company boasts with a wide range of products, including many of the top rated portable generators. However, many of their models were made in China, rather than Japan. In 2023, Yamaha transfered its Power Products business to Willbe Co., Ltd. Yamaha generators are now no longer manufactured, with sales limited to existing stock.
Warranty Information
The Yamaha EF5500DE 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 Yamaha generators, please consult Yamaha's warranty policies (opens in a new tab). Alternatively, you can also contact their Customer Support: 1-800-962-7926.
Questions & Answers
What can it power?
| Item | Running Watts | Starting Watts | |
|---|---|---|---|
| At home | Microwave (1000 watts) | 1500 | 1500 |
| Dish washer | 1500 | 3000 | |
| Refrigerator (energy star) | 192 | 1192 | |
| Blender | 400 | 850 | |
| Total | 3592 W | 5092 W | |
| For camping | RV AC (11,000 BTU) | 1010 | 1600 |
| RV refrigerator | 180 | 600 | |
| Hair dryer | 1800 | 1900 | |
| Coffee maker | 600 | 600 | |
| Total | 3590 W | 4180 W | |
| For work | Table saw | 1800 | 4500 |
| Reciprocating saw | 730 | 960 | |
| Drain cleaner | 250 | 250 | |
| Total | 2780 W | 5480 W |
