Briggs & Stratton Elite Series 8,750 Watt 11 HP OHV Gas Powered Portable Generator With Electric Start (Non-CARB Compliant) #030242

Other products by Briggs & Stratton

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Review

With 6,200 running watts and 8,750 starting watts of reliable electrical power, the Briggs & Stratton's 6,200-watt 11 HP portable generator has you covered when the grid doesn't. Powered by a 10 HP Briggs & Stratton Intek OHV Engine that is engineered to give you longer life, longer running time and reduced noise, this portable generator offers up to 13 hours of runtime when operated at half its output capacity.

Briggs & Stratton generators are built for outstanding performance. View the generator's features in greater detail. See the product specifications.

A powerful 10 HP OHV engine provides extra torque when you need it. Watch the Briggs & Stratton video on torque power.

With five convenient outlets protected from the elements by a durable weather-protected panel, you can easily hook up TV's, stereos, coffee pots, heaters, laptops, and more. An internal power surge alternator will help to give you peace of mind by protecting your valuable electronics.

The generator's 10-inch "never flat" wheels, along with its lightweight 163-pound design, mean that you can easily move this generator as your power needs demand. And the generator's patented Super Silencer muffler eliminates sparking and makes this generator quieter than any in its class, so the conversation inside isn't drowned out by the noisy machine outside.

The Briggs & Stratton OHV engine that powers the generator is designed to provide extra torque that helps the generator deliver higher wattage power so you have stand-by power exactly when you need it. For more information about torque, visit the Briggs & Stratton Web site.

The Briggs & Stratton 030241 portable generator has a 7-gallon fuel capacity and a cast iron cylinder sleeve that combine to ensures long life and reliable power when you need it most. The generator measures 28.1-by-22.7-by-24.25 inches (LxWxH) and is covered by a 2-year limited, manufacturer warranty. Click here to find the Briggs & Stratton service center near you.

Amazon.com Buying Guide

Five Tips for Buying Backup Power

Download our worksheet (PDF) to help you determine your power requirements.

What Types of Generators Are There?
Generators come in two basic types: standby and portable. There also are inverters, which are not generators but may meet your needs. The source of backup power you ultimately choose will be determined by many factors, including your power requirements.

A standby generator is installed permanently outside your home or commercial building.

Portable generators, such as this Briggs & Stratton model, are fueled by gasoline and include 120-volt power outlets like the ones in the walls of your home.

View a movie about why you might want to consider installing a standby generator (requires Flash).

Standby Generators: A standby generator is permanently installed outside your home or commercial building and wired directly into the electrical system to provide power to some or all of your home's circuits during a disruption of normal utility power. Standby generators are fueled by liquid propane or natural gas.

The number of circuits to which a standby generator can provide power--and the number of appliances you can run on those circuits--is determined by the power capacity of the generator.

Standby generators are about the same size as, and look similar to, a standard central air conditioner. A standby model may cost as little as $1,500 or as much as $15,000 or more--the greater the power capacity, the higher the cost.

Portable Generators: Portable generators are versatile. You can use them for

• emergency power at home,
• for power in remote locations where utility power is unavailable, or
• for recreational purposes, like boating or camping.

Portable generators are fueled by gasoline and include 120-volt power outlets like the ones in the walls of your home. When the generator is running, you can plug appliances and tools directly into these outlets. Some generators also include 240-volt outlets (that is, the kind of outlet for an electric dryer or for other large appliances).

Portable generators range in cost between a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars depending on the capacity and features.

Inverters: Inverters turn DC power into AC power, the type of current that powers everyday appliances. A common use of an inverter is to connect one into a car's cigarette lighter and then plug small home appliances into the inverter.

Inverters have added features over the years, and today many inverters include emergency radios, lights, or their own internal battery to store power.

When you purchase an inverter, you need one that can handle the wattage of the appliances you intend to connect to it. Some inverters are made specifically to power low-wattage appliances, like portable phones or digital music players. Others can handle heavy-duty power tools.

If you're buying an inverter that's powered by its own battery, you'll have to consider how many hours the inverter can provide power before needing a recharge.

The rest of this buying guide focuses solely on standby and portable generators.

How Much Power Do I Need?
There are two basic power measurements for generators: peak power (also known as startup power) and continuous power. Both are measured in wattage.

• Peak power is the wattage required for appliances at startup or when they are running at their highest levels of power consumption.
• Continuous power is the wattage required for operation of those appliances under normal load.

We've provided a worksheet to help you determine your specific needs based on the peak and continuous wattage requirements of the appliances you want to power. What's below is a general guide.

Standby Generators: Standby generators create from 5,000 to 25,000 watts or more of power. You'll have to choose a generator that supplies sufficient peak and continuous wattage for the appliances on the circuits you need to power.

You can choose between an air-cooled and a liquid-cooled model standby generator. Generally, liquid-cooled models are bigger and create more power.

Portable Generators: A small 1,000-watt portable generator may be all you need for recreational purposes. And you may use up to 8,000 watts if using a generator to power tools on the jobsite.

Because you plug appliances directly into a portable generator, you'll also want to make sure that your model has the number and type of outlets you need. The size of the fuel tank also is crucial. The bigger the tank, the longer your generator can run without refilling and produce power.

If you want to use a portable generator to power specific circuits in your house--or the whole house--follow the guidelines for choosing a standby generator.

What Features and Accessories Do I Need?
Aside from pure power production, there are some useful features and accessories to consider when buying a generator.

Transfer switch: If you want to use your generator to power your home, you'll need a sufficiently sized generator and a transfer switch. The transfer switch safely closes off the utility power line to your house's electrical system and opens a direct line to the generator and reverses the process when utility power is restored.

Standby models can work either with a manual or an automatic transfer switch. The benefit of an automatic transfer switch is that it senses when utility power has been lost and automatically switches to generator power.

Wheeled Frames: As the name suggests, portable generators can be transported to different locations. The smallest portable generators are comparatively light--perhaps 50 pounds--and can be carried. Larger models can weigh as much as several hundred pounds, making a wheeled frame essential for transportation.

Other Considerations:

• Noise: Generators aren't necessarily quiet. Some offer extra features to reduce the noise created during operation.
• Weather Protection: Make sure the generator you purchase is suited for the climate in which you'll use it.

How Do I Install and Operate a Generator?

Standby generators are wired directly into your current electrical system and generally require professional installation. View larger.

Setup for portable generators is easy. Just make sure to keep the exhaust port pointed away from your house, and to have the proper distance from your windows and other house openings. View larger.

Standby Generators: Installing a standby generator by yourself may void the unit's warranty or violate local building codes, so research these issues before you begin. The basic steps are as follows.

First, mount the unit outside your home on a concrete pad or plastic mounting pads that come with the generator. You may need a contractor to pour the concrete foundation and mount the generator.

Next you'll need to contact your gas or propane company to connect the unit to its fuel source.

Last, you'll have to call an electrician to hook the generator up to your home's electrical system. Some generators come with pre-wired kits that make it easier for the "do-it-yourselfer" to do the wiring. In most cases, it's probably safest and best to have this work done for you.

Once installed, operation depends on whether you've used a manual or an automatic transfer switch. With an automatic transfer switch, if the generator senses a disruption in utility power, it turns itself on and takes over power production until utility power resumes. With a manual transfer switch, you have to handle these chores yourself.

On a standby model, you'll have to change the oil and filters on a regular basis. Many manufacturers provide maintenance kits to make this easier.

Portable Generators: If you're not planning to hook your portable generator into your home or building's electrical system, there is not a lot of setup involved other than finding a safe place outside your home for the generator. Because portable generators create carbon monoxide, you should never run them inside a building, beneath a window, or near any opening to your house (doors, vents, etc.).

Once situated, fill the generator with the required type of gasoline and oil and start the unit. Startup can be as simple as pressing a switch, but on some you'll have to yank a manual recoil pull-cord.

Of course, you will have to plug the appliances you want to power into the generator, refuel it as necessary, and shut the generator off when you're finished with it.

If you want to connect your generator to your home's electrical system, you'll need a manual transfer switch. Make sure your generator's manufacturer supports connecting your model to a transfer switch. If supported, comply with your model's safety and warranty guidelines as well any local building codes during the installation. In general, it's best to hire an electrician to handle the wiring of your home to the generator and transfer switch.

However you use your generator, over time you'll have to change filters, oil, and spark plugs. Plus, you should not store raw gasoline in the generator when you're not using it. Either run the generator empty or add a gasoline stabilizer that will prevent the gasoline from "gumming" up. Many manufacturers sell tune-up kits for their models.

How Do I Run a Generator Safely?

• Do not operate generators indoors, in enclosed spaces, or near a window. Make sure there is proper ventilation for all exhaust.
• Follow the manufacturer's instructions for installation, operation, and maintenance.
• Do not operate generators near combustible materials.
• Operate portable generators on a level surface.
• Do not plug a portable generator directly into your house circuit.
• Do not attach a generator's transfer switch to your circuit box yourself unless you're very sure of what you're doing. Check all applicable local, state, and national codes and the warranty information before you do this.

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Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 32.5 x 18.5 x 24 inches
• Shipping Weight: 189.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• Note: Gift-wrapping is not available for this item.
• ASIN: B0009VF62C
• Item model number: 030242
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #3,875 in Home Improvement (See Bestsellers in Home Improvement)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Noisy Generator, March 11, 2006

By	C. Myers (Framingham, Massachusetts) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I found the assembly and starting of this model very straightforward. Have only tried to run small appliances thus far but power output seems adequate.
This is a noisy product - It is so noisy I thought something was wrong with the machine! I would estimate the noise output in excess of 100 Decibels. If you live in a built up residential area I doubt you will be able to run this model without receiving noise complaints. Contacted Briggs and Stratton who referd us to Generac who told us their is nothing can be done for the noise. They even state that changing the Muffler will void the warranty. I now find I am going to have to build an enclosure to reduce the noise. This is going to take a lot of time and probably cost me a couple of hundred dollars.
The selling feature that really sold this product was the electric start - which I didn't even use as it started so easily.
I am sorry I didn't go with a smaller power output Honda, which allegedly run around 55 Decibels.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars It's a Generator what are you expecting?, August 30, 2007

By	K. M. "Synyster" (Detroit, Michigan) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

I've looked long and hard to find a generator that will fit into budject and project size. A stroke of luck landed me this. I was so happy that I saw the price go down I could barely believe it. and was on pins and needles the day that it arrived. The waiting for the freight to arrive was an experience. A semi truck rolls down the street stops at my house pulls out a portable fork truck rolls it to my garage and pulls out again. something to see in a quiet neighborhood. the Assembly was easy enough, my only complaint is that the bracket that holds the rubber feet did not have a hole to bolt into and I had to (per instructions) loosen a vibration mount that attaches to the generator motor to install the rubber hoot bracket. that and the bolts that came with it I changed out with stainless for the rubber feet to attach to the bracket. They were all wrong for it. easy enough fix. so after all my boo hoo'ing........wait one more that I forgot...ever thought on the instruction it says that there is a oil dipstick on the engine......don't believe them and just dump the whole bottle of oil that's included into the motor! after the oil, gas and the minor hook-ups it started with no problems and ran like a dream! I had a pull generator before and that's the last time for that!
I would recommend this for women that don't want to be left in the dark and without means. It has all of the features that are easy to work and you not need any special knowledge of mechanics to get the job done. the only thing that might hold them back is the weight....it is darn close to 200 pounds. every bit of it! but once you have the wheels and front bracket with rubber pads on you've only got maintenance to worry about once and a while and then when you have to fire it up.

Edit of review - One year Later September 13, 2008
The machine still looks like brand new. Runs like it did out of the crate. I've done the required maintenance to it and keep it in my garage most of the time. But when I needed it, it came through like a champ.
We had a 3 day power outage and that generator run for about 22 hours at a time and alot of gas. But it kept the power going to about 1/2 of the house. Great generator!!!!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I've Got The Power!, June 16, 2008

By	Sky (New York) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

Amazon Verified Purchase

It's actually almost a year and a half since I purchased the Briggs & Stratton 6200-Watt Generator at Amazon. And just as I figured, after making the purchase, we've not lost power for any great length of time that really required powering this baby up...that is until this past weekend. And, man, am I glad I had the generator.

First of all, I have well-water where I live. No power = no water because the pump won't work without power (duh). We had guests this weekend, and with no power for 24 hours, the toilets would have gotten...okay, you get the idea.

Plus it was the weekend, and without the generator the beer would have gotten warm (nooooo!). We have the generator set up to run not only our main refrigerator, but also a mini.

Also on the generator are heat/hot water (oil burner), kitchen lights, living room lights and the wall sockets in the kitchen and living room that include a TV/DVD player. The central air conditioning in my house would be a bit too much for the B & S 6200, so thank goodness it wasn't one of those 95 degree weekends. The 6200 gives you just enough power for the essentials (and a TV!).

The 6200 has an electric starter that's super convenient, but in between uses you might consider completely disconnecting the battery, or charging it every now and then by running the machine. I did not follow my own advice and had to use the pull start this past weekend, which was simple and effortless...the 6200 started on the first pull.

I highly recommend this little 6200-Watt machine. All in all.....it's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it!