Customer Reviews

Briggs & Stratton Power Products 10,000-Watt 18 HP Portable Generator 9801

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Awesome generator for the price compared to the competition. Comes with ALMOST everything you need. Didn't come with a 50amp plug. Although to Briggs' credit, they include 3 plugs (20a/120v,20a/240v,30a/240v), wheel kit, cover, spare oil filter, spare 2qts oil, spare spark plugs and even a spare air filter w/ prefilter! Unit cranks and runs like a dream. Comes w/ 2yr consumer warranty. Only issue I had with it was it did NOT have an hour meter, but an easy fix for ~$30. I panel-mounted one I got from auto parts store (see picture). Have had no problems with auto-idle control as previous reviewers.

For the last 27 years, we have lost power 3-4 times a year and never at a 'good' time. I read all the reviews, visited Home Depot and many stores, calculated my needs, and ordered the 10K to backup my entire house (2400 sq. ft) including A/C or heat. Along with the generator, I had a manual transfer switch installed. The generator required very little setup, although I did need the help of a friend unpacking; it started the first time I pushed the electric start...in a second it was running the whole house with A/C...fantastic. I have never used it in a real 'power out situation' but run it for 5-10 minutes each month for maintenance. The noise level is tolerable and less than other generators, according to several reviews.

The price and quality...which equals value...are the best for a portable generator. For about $3500 (generator, manual transfer switch, electrical material and labor) this is a cost effective way to back up your house with just the flip of a switch. My only regret is that I wish I had gotten the sale price...after finding on Amazon, I waited until the next day to order.

We live at 8300 feet in the Colorado Rockies. Although power failures are infrequent, they tend to be lengthy. As we are on an electrically powered well, no power means no water as well as no heat.
We have had the generator for 2 years and have used it for two lengthy periods, both over 24 hours.
It has performed flawlessly with an abundance of power for the whole household including the 4000W well startup. It is well interference protected as well as surge protected so we can use our delicate electronic equipment without concern.

Maintanance is simple and easy, the trickle charger keeps the battery at full charge and it starts easily regardless of temperature. A excellent piece of equipment in all regards.

Overall, this is a great generator but it would be better if it had an hour meter since the maintenance is based upon the run time. Would I but it again - YES. Enough said.

This is an excellent generator. Extremely well-built with one of the best engines available. Although most people consider the Honda engines better, I would argue that the Vanguard OHV dual cylinder engines by Briggs and Stratton are superior. The advantage of two cylinders is less noise (relative to a single cylinder) and smoother operation, particularly during load shifts.They start in very cold weather without problems. And unlike most generators, this one comes with tires and a battery. I had the transfer switch installed this past weekend and we tested the generator on a standard whole-house load. The generator had no problems running everything in the house, including a large central air conditioner. I turned on my 6HP air compressor and it started up without problems. I confirmed that this unit can temporarily provide 12.5KW, and seems to run smoothly at 11KW although it is only rated at 10KW. The only advantage to the more expensive inverter-based Hondas is during low-power operation when the RPMs can be cut back. This generator must operate at full-speed even when providing only 2KW of power. But for whole-house operation, I do not think you can find a more cost-effective, reliable system.

I bought this for hurricane use and it powers my entire house including a 2 1/2 ton central A/C unit. It works great and will fill your most likely needs. Best item I ever bought from Amozon.com.

I got a great deal price wise on this. Delivery was not a problem. Put it together and fired it up. Then I had a problem. It would never speed up independent of what position I had the idle control switch or if there was a load put on the generator. Called Amazon for help, and they said it can not be shipped back because I put fuel in it. Luckily, there was an authorized service center near my home BUT he said he could not get to it for several weeks. When I went to drop it off, the guy figured out the problem in a few minutes and I took it back home - no charge --- Thanks. The problem was the idle speed was set wrong.

Here is the catch 22. If there was fuel put in it to test it before shipping it to me, they could not ship it to me. If they do not put fuel in it so they can ship it to me, they do not find the problem.

I have used it several times since. I race go karts and the generator is used to run lights, fans and tools at the track. I am hoping to put in a switch to run some of my house if need be. I continue to need to play with the idle speed to make it work. But once I get it to work. It works great. I do not like having to play with the idle speed and I should not have to but it is easier to do then take it back in. Maybe I will get it figured out or if after the race season is over, I will take it back in to get fixed right.

I like it very much , it works great !!!