Briggs & Stratton 40305PACK - Smart Circuit Standby Generator System (20kW LP/18kW Natural Gas)

I put this generator in for my Mom who is getting up in the years. It works great! Once a month I go and turn off her incoming power and the generator automatically starts in about 15-20 seconds then takes load in another 30 seconds. The generator does have an automatic system to run the generator every week but it does not take load in that system test. I prefer to do an actual monthly load test.

I used propane as there is no NG out where she lives. This is not a simple project and needs some planning. You need two groups of technicians that should have experience with setting in generators. My son in law is an electrician with a company that has experience with Briggs generators. I used a propane company that had a 5 ton crane to place the generator. The propane company also had significant experience with generators. It seems I picked the right brand as both the propane company and the electrical company had experience with this particular generator. The propane company tried selling Generac but they had so many problems that they now only sell Briggs. Our code in WA required the propane trench to be 18 inches deep and electrical to be 24 inches deep. I played the role as ditch digger, fun. I did switch the fuel jet from NG (default) to LP, that was easy. You do need to find a very specific Battery (AGM) in order to stay within the warranty agreement. Batteries Plus really helped me out there. Too bad this company (EGD) does not sell them, why?

BTW, it took two experienced journeyman electricians two hours to install the panel and wiring. They said that I had it set up perfectly for them and it was an easy install. So this does depict that this is not a simple plug and play installation.

Make sure you purchase the lift gate service for delivery. It would have been a nightmare without it. This generator is HEAVY!

I had a 250 gallon propane tank installed which should provide 4-5 days of power.

Overall I am very pleased with the generator and Electric Generators Direct. EGD is a low cost, low overhead, and hands off provider. You will never find a better price but be prepared to figure out all the details on your own. The product is drop shipped direct from the manufacturer which is fine. ECD's value add is their great price.

The attached pic are the two electricians hard at it. These guys busted their ass getting it done. They would nearly ran between the job site and their truck to get various items. Good luck finding other electricians that work as hard. Even better when you have an electrician marry into the family:)

I put this generator in for my Mom who is getting up in the years. It works great! Once a month I go and turn off her incoming power and the generator automatically starts in about 15-20 seconds then takes load in another 30 seconds. The generator does have an automatic system to run the generator every week but it does not take load in that system test. I prefer to do an actual monthly load test.

I used propane as there is no NG out where she lives. This is not a simple project and needs some planning. You need two groups of technicians that should have experience... more

Having moved from Southern California to rural East Texas has taken some real adapting to the lifestyle and major inconveniences, such as being without power in an all electric home for three to four days in 40 degree temperatures.

Therefore, I resolved to install a whole house, automatic, standby generator. This decision was easier made than implemented, due to the number of products available and total ignorance on my part. Seeking to obtain the best of all possible scenarios when it came to ease of installation, aesthetics, capacity, product warranty and of course, cost.

My first hurdle was which type of fuel? Gasoline was out of the question, diesel was not acceptable to my wife due to the smell of the fuel and fumes, and natural gas is not available in my area. The only option left was propane, which we also did not have. Research resulted in my installing 250 gallon underground tank, which went well with the aid of the local propane dealer. This also resolved the complaint of my wife, that she did not want a big, huge, ugly tank setting in the yard.

I then contacted several electricians, who purportedly had installed generator systems, for proposals. Also, I requested a bid from a company who advertises heavily in my area as being the best resource for professional installations. I could only get vague prices from the electricians, who basically would only wire the system after everything else had been done. The installation company was extremely costly and was haphazard in the way the wanted to install the system.

While all this was going on, I was shopping generator sizes and prices and came across a site named ServiceMagic who offered referrals for this type of installation. The electrician who was referred to me was a true find. He immediately referred me to Generators Direct (who I already had decided to buy from), saying he had excellent experiences dealing with them and felt their prices were very competitive. He felt my decision on a 20 Kw unit was overkill, but agreed with my assessment of what I wanted vs. "just getting by".

I purchased the unit on line, five days later it was here. The delivery driver went the extra mile and placed the unit as close to the installation site (a slab, due to slope) as possible. My neighbor and I put it into place the next day and the electrician started two days later.

I cannot praise the electrician enough! This was his first experience in installing a Briggs & Stratton unit, but he researched the unit, read all the manuals and had no problems. He raved about the technical features, and quality and of the unit. He did a superior job in every respect, was detail oriented and fastidious in his work, resulting in an attractive, pleasing package.

It took a day and a half to make all the connections and complete the installation. The generator fired up the first time without a hitch and now it's all set to go. Haven't had a chance to test it under real-life conditions yet, but I have absolutely no doubt there will be no problems.

P.S. My wife loves the color and looks of the generator, goes great with the house.

Having moved from Southern California to rural East Texas has taken some real adapting to the lifestyle and major inconveniences, such as being without power in an all electric home for three to four days in 40 degree temperatures.

Therefore, I resolved to install a whole house, automatic, standby generator. This decision was easier made than implemented, due to the number of products available and total ignorance on my part. Seeking to obtain the best of all possible scenarios when it came to ease of installation, aesthetics, capacity, product warranty and of course, cost.more