9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Well Built Unit, March 1, 2008
This review is from: Briggs and Stratton Pro Series 1934 10,000-Watt 16 HP OHV V-Twin Gas Powered Portable Generator With Electric Start and Wheel Kit (Lawn & Patio)
This generator is a quality unit. The engine is a V-twin Vanguard with full pressure lubrication and an oil filter like a car has. The Vanguard is the top engine in Briggs and Stratton's line and easily compares to the V-twin Honda engines. The generator is a solid unit with idle control and auto voltage regulation (AVR). The twin handles are solid and fold down when not needed. It is not as loud as some cheaper units. However, it can easily be heard. The unit has both a recoil starter and an electric starter. With reasonable care and routine maintenance (engine oil, oil filter and air filter changes), this unit should last for many years.
As with any unit of this type the new user must be aware of certain points. Gasoline will grow stale in a month. Stabil, a fuel stabilizer additive, will only extend the life of the gas to a maximum of 1 year. While the oil itself does not wear out, it contains additives to prevent corrosion and oxidation. These are depleted in operation of the unit. Regular oil and filter changes are important. Once the unit has been put into operation, the initial oil should be changed after 5 to 8 hours. Briggs and Stratton recommends a full synthetic oil be used such as Castrol Syntec 10w30. If the unit is to be stored for an indefinite period of time, months, years, then some other procedures should be done. They are not hard, but take some time. In order: With the engine warm, shut it off and drain the oil; wipe off the drain plug and thread it carefully back onto the engine; screw it finger tight and then using the appropriate wrench tighten it about 1/8th of turn further; Unscrew the old filter; Use your finger to spread some new oil on the rubber gasket of the new filter; use a lint free rag to wipe off the mating surface on the engine where the filter will be screwed onto the nipple; screw the new filter onto the engine. When its gasket makes contact, turn it approximately 1/2 turn more; now put clean oil into the engine; wipe up any spillage and do not over fill; turn the idle control to "on" and start the engine; let it run for about a minute while looking for any leaks; there is a fuel shut-off lever under the gas tank just behind the control panel. It is very easy to reach facing the control panel, turn the lever off, after a minute or two the engine will start to hesitate as it is beginning to run out of fuel; when it starts to hesitate, pull out the choke lever; when the engine stops, it has used all of the gas in the line and its carburetor; under the fuel shut off lever is small bowl shaped metal fitting designed to collect any debris; remove it with a small wrench turning it counter-clockwise as you would look up at it from below; place a container or funnel under it and open the fuel lever. This should be done when the gas tank is nearly empty and the unit is cool; when the gas is drained, re-attach the sediment cup, as the bowl shaped metal fitting is called. Tighten it finger tight. Then use the wrench to turn it about 1/16th of an inch more - Do not over-tighten!! You're almost done. Pour about two ounces of Stabil into the now empty tank. Some of this will go down the fuel inlet hose to the carburetor, close the fuel shut off valve. Recheck the oil level on the dipstick. Add more carefully if needed. If the unit has less than 25 hours on it, it is now ready to be stored. If it has more, then you need to replace the air cleaner. It has clips and is fairly obvious, just that there is not much room to work, so easy does it. While a personal preference, I lift the wheels off of the floor and support the frame on two by fours. When completely cooled, cover the unit and it now stored. I do not leave the small float charger connected. Every four months or so, connect it for a day and then disconnect it again. When you need emergency power, uncover the unit, check the tire pressures, take it off of the supports and wheel it outside. Pour fresh gasoline into it. Turn the idle control to "on", pull out the choke and press the "start" button. When it starts, push in the choke and let it run for several minutes before plugging anything into it. You are set to go. Note that the instructions state that when starting turn the idle control "off". I do not like this as the cold engine goes to full throttle immediately. This is not the way I treat my truck. It is far kinder to run the engine slower letting the oil circulate to all parts and at least achieve some warmth before going to full throttle. The engine runs fast enough in the idle mode.
I did have a problem with my unit. On all of these sites where generators and other gasoline powered equipment are advertised there is a disclaimer that the unit cannot be returned. The reason has to do with any gasoline or gasoline vapors remaining in a unit which would be returned. While one always looks for the best price, the fact that it cannot be returned will give me pause in the future considering such an item. Amazon was very helpful and made a substantial "good faith" adjustment for me which they did out of the goodness of their heart. This is why I continue to buy from Amazon. They really do care. However, I had to take the generator to an authorized service center. It was gone for twenty days. I had to take time from work and use my truck and gas. Briggs and Stratton was an easy company to deal with on this matter. The problem was that the idle control circuit was wired incorrectly and the idle was mis-adjusted. It burned out a control board. All of this was covered by the warranty and the generator runs like the new unit that it is. The technician told me that this type of fault is extremely rare. However, had I bought it from Home Depot, for example, I would have returned it to them and gotten another the same day. The upside is that I saved many hundreds of dollars. The downside is as I described above. You decide.
This is an excellent unit and I am happy with it and Amazon's response to my problem.
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