Briggs & Stratton 30210 - 8000 Watt Electric Start Portable Generator

I purchased this generator for emergency residential use. I connect it through a 30 amp 10 circuit Reliance manual transfer switch.

The generator powers almost all of my 3000 sq. ft. house except for the AC, ovens and dryer. I used it once for 10 straight days and it ran flawlessly.

Typically I would fill the gas tank up in the morning when I woke up and at night before we went to sleep, so I probably averaged 12 hour actual run times.

I have recommended this combination of transfer switch and generator to many others as it is hard to beat the functionality for the money- which is roughly $2,000 installed (generator, transfer switch and electrician).

I purchased this generator for emergency residential use. I connect it through a 30 amp 10 circuit Reliance manual transfer switch.

The generator powers almost all of my 3000 sq. ft. house except for the AC, ovens and dryer. I used it once for 10 straight days and it ran flawlessly.

Typically I would fill the gas tank up in the morning when I woke up and at night before we went to sleep, so I probably averaged 12 hour actual run times.

I have recommended this combination of transfer switch and generator to many others as it is hard to beat the functionality for the money- which ... more

I bought this generator after part of Hurricane Ike windstorm hit us in 2008.

So, when the ice storm hit in January 2009 I was ready. The generator performed flawlessly- I ran it 24 hours a day for eight days, the only time I stopped it was to gas up and change the oil.

It easily ran a refridgerator, a deep freeze, big screen tv, computer, washer, dryer, coffee pot, fireplace insert fan, 2 space heaters and 4 reading lights.

I used the 30 amp outlet with a cord that divided 4 ways, and three of the other outlets with heavy duty extension cords with splitters.

Needless to say,I was totally amazed at the power supplied by this unit. Just this morning I changed the oil and put some Stabil in the gasoline tank.

I hope we never have another ice storm like this one, but I'm ready if we do. Thanks, Briggs and Stratton!

I bought this generator after part of Hurricane Ike windstorm hit us in 2008.

So, when the ice storm hit in January 2009 I was ready. The generator performed flawlessly- I ran it 24 hours a day for eight days, the only time I stopped it was to gas up and change the oil.

It easily ran a refridgerator, a deep freeze, big screen tv, computer, washer, dryer, coffee pot, fireplace insert fan, 2 space heaters and 4 reading lights.

I used the 30 amp outlet with a cord that divided 4 ways, and three of the other outlets with heavy duty extension cords with splitters.

Needless to say,I was ... more

This generator has gotten us through at least 3 major New England storms where we have lost power for multiple days at a time.

While watching others throw away spoiled food and fix frozen pipes due to lack of heat, I realized that this generator has more than paid for itself.

The electric starter starts the engine quickly, and the engine runs very smoothly. Between the 7 gallon tank and the efficient engine, gas consumption is better than expected.

After the last ice storm, I was the envied by some since I still had heat in the house, hot water, and lights. I no longer worry about the loss of electrical power, or worry that my kids won't have warm house or hot water.

This generator has gotten us through at least 3 major New England storms where we have lost power for multiple days at a time.

While watching others throw away spoiled food and fix frozen pipes due to lack of heat, I realized that this generator has more than paid for itself.

The electric starter starts the engine quickly, and the engine runs very smoothly. Between the 7 gallon tank and the efficient engine, gas consumption is better than expected.

After the last ice storm, I was the envied by some since I still had heat in the house, hot water, and lights. I no longer worry ... more

All I can say is that I am glad I had this generator. It is so reliable and so easy to use.

The storm hit us with the normal warnings, but you know how that goes...YEAH RIGHT...

Well, it came and mother nature unleashed her fury on the Capital District. We lost power on Thursday the 11th of December.

I left work and came home to set up the generator for my partner. My house was filled with power cords, I rigged the furnace to run and set back and listened to trees snapping and crashing to the ground.

When I woke up, what a disaster zone. I stood in the middle of my yard and watched tree after tree snap in half and fall to the ground. Power was restored on Sunday the 13th, thank you National Grid.

I plan on researching the transfer switch, so future outages are more bearable. I just wiped down the generator, changed the oil and put it back in its special home. This generator is a wonderful piece of equipment.

Denniz

All I can say is that I am glad I had this generator. It is so reliable and so easy to use.

The storm hit us with the normal warnings, but you know how that goes...YEAH RIGHT...

Well, it came and mother nature unleashed her fury on the Capital District. We lost power on Thursday the 11th of December.

I left work and came home to set up the generator for my partner. My house was filled with power cords, I rigged the furnace to run and set back and listened to trees snapping and crashing to the ground.

When I woke up, what a disaster zone. I stood in the middle of my yard ... more

I bought this generator to power my home through a storm driven power outage. I hooked it to the trickle charger after purchase, and only ran it once every few months for 20 minutes or so.

After 18 months of that routine, we were hit by Hurricane Ike. After the storm, I ran this machine for 360 hours straight. pausing only to refuel and change the oil.

It performed beautifully, powering two refrigerators, a wine cooler, three window unit AC units (two 10,000 BTU units and one 6,000 BTU unit), lights, garage door opener and a few other items through a Gen Tran transfer switch that I had an electrician install.

This machine is tough, durable and dependable, and never faltered or hesitated. The electric start switch worked well, and it started easily.

I used about 10 to 12 gallons of fuel per day powering about 6,000 operating watts per hour on average. It is not quiet, but it did its job well. I am extremely pleased with this purchase.

For the money, this is one tough, reliable, high output machine.

I bought this generator to power my home through a storm driven power outage. I hooked it to the trickle charger after purchase, and only ran it once every few months for 20 minutes or so.

After 18 months of that routine, we were hit by Hurricane Ike. After the storm, I ran this machine for 360 hours straight. pausing only to refuel and change the oil.

It performed beautifully, powering two refrigerators, a wine cooler, three window unit AC units (two 10,000 BTU units and one 6,000 BTU unit), lights, garage door opener and a few other items through a Gen Tran transfer switch that I had... more

I received the generator last week. The delivery carrier was excellent with working on a time to drop it off that was convenient.

When I came home from work, I immediately unpacked and assembled the unit. The battery was even charged to start the generator.

It fired up on the first try. I let it idle and found some quartz lights to plug in and left it run for an hour.

It is a little on the loud side, but as long as I have well water and other house ammenities I could live with the noise.

The only feature I would desire would be an auto throttle. That way when it is not running a heavy load, it is idled down.

I would definitely recommend this unit to anyone.

I received the generator last week. The delivery carrier was excellent with working on a time to drop it off that was convenient.

When I came home from work, I immediately unpacked and assembled the unit. The battery was even charged to start the generator.

It fired up on the first try. I let it idle and found some quartz lights to plug in and left it run for an hour.

It is a little on the loud side, but as long as I have well water and other house ammenities I could live with the noise.

The only feature I would desire would be an auto throttle. That way when it is not running ... more

OK,...well i took delivery of this generator just after hurricane Ike. My house is wired with a double pole double throw disconnect to the main panel,......so i can throw on the generator,...or line power. Ran some extensive tests on this thing a week ago. Against my better judgment , I did throw on the load of a 3.5 ton central ac compressor. I ran the fan first,..then dropped the thermostat to make the compressor kick on,....and what do you know,....it ran fine,....I might add,..this was THE ONLY LOAD I had on the generator. I intend to run several small window units during the daytime outage period, and the central air at night.
As far as other loads,....it ran simultaneously: 3 5-7000btu window ac's , water heater(4500watts), standard fridge, t.v.,500 watts worth of lights, small deep freezer, and two pc's. More than ample for running most items during an outage. Fuel consumption was a tad better than 12 gallon an hour,...with a heavy load.
I am well pleased with the performance,..it's well built,...and HEAVY. Easy to fuel.

It will run an electric clothes dryer, hot water, central ac, but you have to limit the load greatly to keep from damaging the generator.

OK,...well i took delivery of this generator just after hurricane Ike. My house is wired with a double pole double throw disconnect to the main panel,......so i can throw on the generator,...or line power. Ran some extensive tests on this thing a week ago. Against my better judgment , I did throw on the load of a 3.5 ton central ac compressor. I ran the fan first,..then dropped the thermostat to make the compressor kick on,....and what do you know,....it ran fine,....I might add,..this was THE ONLY LOAD I had on the generator. I intend to run several small window units during the daytime outag... more

Last year I changed from a Honda 3500 to a B&S EXL 8000. When it arrived I set it up and ran it for about 15 minutes and checked the output. I did not have to run it last year because we had a quiet hurricane season. Last week I fired up the motor to test it and after 20 minutes of running with no load the oil light turned on and the motor turned off.

I had a B&S dealer check it out and change the oil and they said it was fine. I brought it home and ran it - again after 20 minutes the oil light came on and the engine turned off.

Fortunately I still have my old reliable Honda to help me out if Ike pays us a visit.

Last year I changed from a Honda 3500 to a B&S EXL 8000. When it arrived I set it up and ran it for about 15 minutes and checked the output. I did not have to run it last year because we had a quiet hurricane season. Last week I fired up the motor to test it and after 20 minutes of running with no load the oil light turned on and the motor turned off.

I had a B&S dealer check it out and change the oil and they said it was fine. I brought it home and ran it - again after 20 minutes the oil light came on and the engine turned off.

Fortunately I still have my old reliable Honda to... more

Own the Generac version prior to B&S buying them out, this is the best bang for the money. It has active stater control not just zener diodes, that is why it can flash almost 2x of rated load. It use's the Nitagino GH-410 Engine with pressurized oil & filter. (Will last for many years with care!) I even converted it to run Tri-Fuel, Gas/NatGas/Propane all at the same time. (About $350)
Voltage regulation is about 1% and Hz from No-load 62Hz to Full-load at 60Hz. Just wish it had a quieter muffler. But Still the best Portable Generator on the Market bar none. IMHO Runs even 2.5 Ton Central Air HVAC if I limit other loads. Hope that helps others. Phil

Own the Generac version prior to B&S buying them out, this is the best bang for the money. It has active stater control not just zener diodes, that is why it can flash almost 2x of rated load. It use's the Nitagino GH-410 Engine with pressurized oil & filter. (Will last for many years with care!) I even converted it to run Tri-Fuel, Gas/NatGas/Propane all at the same time. (About $350)
Voltage regulation is about 1% and Hz from No-load 62Hz to Full-load at 60Hz. Just wish it had a quieter muffler. But Still the best Portable Generator on the Market bar none. IMHO Runs even 2.5 Ton Cen... more

Delivered to San Diego in 5 days despite firestorm road closures! This generator is built like a tank and performs great. Have at least a bicycle pump handy to inflate the tires; you don't want the weight of this thing on the empty tires it comes with! I use it primarily to power a 220 volt, 4 HP air compressor and it performs as if nothing is plugged in.

It took three of us to uload it from the truck. We did not pay extra for a lift gate. The driver said lift gate trucks are only used for city/high density deliveries and he wouldn't have had one even if we had paid extra for it. So save yourself some $ and have a neighbor help you unload it.

Delivered to San Diego in 5 days despite firestorm road closures! This generator is built like a tank and performs great. Have at least a bicycle pump handy to inflate the tires; you don't want the weight of this thing on the empty tires it comes with! I use it primarily to power a 220 volt, 4 HP air compressor and it performs as if nothing is plugged in.

It took three of us to uload it from the truck. We did not pay extra for a lift gate. The driver said lift gate trucks are only used for city/high density deliveries and he wouldn't have had one even if we had paid extra for it. So save y... more