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The Briggs and Stratton P2200 is part of the PowerSmart series which means you can pair it with the P3000 model for parallel operation, giving you more options and extra power if (and when) you need it. The P2200 has been a top seller for multiple years, consistently on the best seller list and for good reasons. If you don’t already know, it’s an inverter generator which means it produces clean stable power to run all of your sensitive devices. It has a twin-handle design making it easy for two people to move around. This is a unique feature, that will make you wonder “Why don’t all generators incorporate this type of handle”?
Over the past or so I’ve noticed that Inverter generator prices have gone down considerably due to increased competition. Ultimately, this is a win for consumers, but I’m sure manufacturers aren’t so happy about it. Inverter technology is evolving at a rapid rate, enabling dual-fuel inverter generators to begin to take hold, such as the Champion 100402 (read review).
Let’s see how the P2200 compares to the competition.
Table of Contents...
Briggs & Stratton Smart Power
There aren’t many generators that offer the option of parallel running despite this being a huge advantage. The ability to run more than one generator in parallel offers one with a great deal of versatility. You can run an extra generator from the Power Smart series together with this one to increase the power output. After reviewing the Briggs and Stratton Power Smart P2200 (2200W) and P3000 (3000W), I’ll go into more detail about Parallel functioning and how it can be beneficial.
Inverter Generators
In addition to having the benefit of parallel capabilities, the Briggs and Stratton Power Smart series also makes use of inverter technology that provides a pure sine wave with less than 3% harmonic distortion which is perfect for sensitive electronic equipment. In fact, it’s the inverter that makes the parallel functioning possible. I’ll also go into more detail about the inverter system later.
Briggs and Stratton P2200
Whisper Quiet at 59dB — 2,200W (start) / 1700W (run) — Model : 30651
Features:
✓ View or download the MANUAL or QUICK START GUIDE for Briggs and Stratton P2200.
Overview —
This is a fantastic looking generator with a compact modern design. This design not only looks great but is also very practical for a portable generator. The handle design is perfect for carrying the machine because you can carry it using two hands, this also makes it easy for two people to carry it if it feels a little heavy for just one person. Though I doubt many will find it to be that heavy, it weighs only 55 Lbs.
Front & Rear views of the Briggs and Stratton P2200
Where the handle becomes really smart is that it crosses over near the center of the generator. The positioning of this central cross piece is carefully calculated to give a perfect balance when carrying it with one hand. This is something that will prove very handy for recreational users and contractors who will be moving it about regularly and it’s particularly easy to load in and out of a vehicle with either one or two hands.
So its portability is great, what about the rest. Power is very good for a machine of this weight and size. It produces 1700W running power and 2200W peak power from an 111cc OHV engine. The generator is designed to run quietly producing around 59dB at 25% load from a distance of 23 FT. I presume this noise level is with the economy (Power Smart) setting which lowers the engine revs for lower loads and only increases power when needed. This has the advantage of lowering the fuel consumption and wear on the engine as well as reduce noise levels.
If you want to increase the power produced by the generator, you can pair it with another P2200 or step it up even further by pairing it with the bigger Briggs and Stratton P3000. To do this you’ll need to use the Briggs and Stratton Parallel Kit (6278) which is an optional extra for some generators in the Power Smart series.
Looks good from any angle
When running in parallel here are your maximum output numbers — Briggs & Stratton P3000 & P2200 Inverter Generators:
- P2200 + P2200 = 3000W of max output
- P2200 + P3000 = 3000W of max output
- P3000 + P3000 = 4800W of max output
It uses a recoil starter with a manual choke. While an electric starter is far easier, it’s usually more common for smaller engines like this to use a recoil starter. The small capacity doesn’t require much strain to get started and by doing away with a starter motor and battery, a lot of extra weight is shed, making it easier for one person to carry. So in the end, you lose the ease of starting with the press of a button but gain the advantage of easy portability.
It has a simple and easy to understand control panel. With two 120V AC outlets and a 12V outlet using a standard cigarette lighter type plug. The generator comes with a kit that includes a 12V alligator clip adapter and a 12V USB adapter. You also get a funnel and multi-purpose screwdriver. The control panel also has LED indicator lights for run, low-oil warning and overload warning. In the center of the panel is an input for the parallel cable. Both the DC and AC circuits are protected by circuit breakers.
There’s a switch to set the generator to run in economy mode or high-power mode. It has a 1-gallon fuel tank. So even though the engine is quite small and you have the option of a more economical Power Smart mode, the best running time you’ll get is about 8-hours at 25% load. This will probably turn out to be around 4-hours for most people who will be using it at about 50% load.
Video Review | Briggs & Stratton P2200 / P3000
For the home user, having 1700W of running power limits your usage to mostly recreational use – it’s a handy portable generator to take on camping trips. However, the versatility of parallel coupling will extend your range as you can increase your power output to run larger appliances in your home for emergencies. You may be wondering what the point would be in using two generators for your home instead of one. Later in the article, I’ll point out the benefits of using multiple parallel generators instead of a larger single unit, so keep reading. This versatility is also very useful to contractors and we’ll look at these benefits too.
The Briggs and Stratton P2200 inverter generator is a fantastic small generator that’s easy to store and move about. Combining this with inverter technology for electronic equipment and parallel functioning for added versatility, make it a very attractive option for small businesses and home users. Add to this, Briggs and Stratton’s many years of experience building generators and a 2-year warranty and you’ve got a winning formula.
Tech Specs | Briggs and Stratton P2200
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**Let’s have a quick look at the Briggs and Stratton Parallel Kit (6278) and Parallel Kit Bundle before we discuss and review the Briggs and Stratton p3000 generator.
Briggs & Stratton | PowerSmart Parallel Kit (6278) & Complete Bundle
Note: Amazon actually sells a Parallel Kit Bundle deal that includes the Briggs & Stratton p2200, Briggs & Stratton P3000 and the Parallel Cable. You’ll save money if you purchase the packaged bundle rather than buying them all separately.
Features:
- Connect 2 PowerSmart Series Inverters (P2200 or P3000 models) together for double the power output
- 120-Volt, 30-Amp RV Outlet and 120-Volt, 30-Amp Twist Lock AC Outlet
- Maximum of 4,800-Watts total capacity for all outlets (for P3000 model only)
- Provides consistent power to RV and small home appliances
- 1-year limited warranty
Watch the video below and see how easy (and fast) it is to increase your total power output capacity. This is an important feature to factor into your buying decision because it provides you with a high degree of flexibility and convenience.
Video | Briggs & Stratton Parallel Operation
It’s important to note that the Parallel Cable (6278) from Briggs and Stratton is NOT Compatible With Other Model Generators. Typically, each generator brand provides their own unique cable to allow consumers the option to connect the generators in parallel, so make sure you buy the cable provided by the manufacturer.
Briggs and Stratton P3000 — 30545
Features:
- 2600 running Watts // 3000 starting Watts
- PowerSmart Series : Inverter technology produces quiet, consistent power for your RV, small business, tailgate or even home backup.
- Smooth, stable power safe for sensitive electronics. Its engine speed adjusts automatically, further reducing noise, fuel consumption, and emissions. Multiple Outlets for Your Power Needs
- Outlets : (4) 120V Household Outlet s(1) 120V 30A Outlet(1) USB Port(1) 12V DC Charging Outlet
LCD Statstation Display. - Noise level : 58 dB, 7 meters away from the generator. As quiet as a normal conversation.
- Easy-to-read LCD screen shows the amount of power being used, total unit hours, and maintenance reminders, including oil, air filter, and spark plug changes.
- Easy to Move: The twin handle design and luggage-style telescoping handle make mobility a breeze.
- Parallel Connector Port : Connect two units together for even more power.
- Parallel connector kit sold separately. Briggs & Stratton 6278
- Fuel Sight Gauge displays how much fuel is left.
- The P3000 not only has better power output than the smaller P2200 but has a number of extra features too.
- Enough power to start a standard RV air conditioner
- 1.5 gal. fuel tank for an impressive 10-hours of continuous operation at 25% load on a full tank
- Includes engine oil, quick start guide, operator’s manual
✓ View or download the MANUAL or QUICK START GUIDE for Briggs and Stratton P3000.
Overview | Briggs and Stratton P3000
The Briggs and Stratton P3000 produces 2200W of running power and a peak load capacity of 3000W. You can use this together with the P2200 to increase power output 3900W running and 5200W peak power or double your output to 4400W running and 6 000W peak by using two P3 000 generators in parallel. I’m not sure if you can use more than two generators in parallel but my experience with parallel inverters says that you should be able to, this would further increase your power depending on how many generators you run and which models you use.
Video | See the Briggs and Stratton P3000 in Action
The larger OHV engine on the P3000 increases the weight to 84 Lbs. Because of this, they’ve added two wheels to the design of this one and it has a really cool pull out handle, like those you find on wheeled luggage. It also has the well-designed carry handle for two hands or balanced single hand carrying. Despite the larger capacity, noise levels remain about the same as the P2200 at 59dB, which is quite remarkable.
The gas tank is larger, 1.5 gallons and this will give you around 10-hours running time at 25% load. The design is also very stylish and compact with a more comprehensive control panel than the one found the smaller model. The P3000 has four 20A 120V outlets and a larger twist-lock 30A 120V outlet as well as the parallel plug. It has the same 12V plug as the P2200 as well as a built-in USB outlet. This model includes an LCD display to give the user additional information.
So, while providing all the same benefits of the smaller P2200, the Briggs and Stratton P3000 offers more power, extra power outlets, and a more comprehensive information display setup. It has the same stylish looks (I’d say this one looks even better) and also has the same 2-year warranty.
If you’re unsure about these Briggs and Stratton generators, don’t worry, there are many other fantastic inverter generators for you to consider, for any budget.
Tech Specs (Briggs and Stratton P3000):
- Model Number : 030545
- Running Watts* 2600 / Starting Watts* : 3000
- Running Amps : 21.7A
- Engine Displacement (cc) : 171
- Fuel Tank Capacity (gal) : 1.5
- Run Time : up to 10 @ 1/4 Load
- Alternator : Permanent Magnet :
- Start Type : Recoil
- Low Oil Shutdown : Yes
- Automatic Idle Control : Yes
- Wheel Type : Never Go Flat
- Wheel Diameter (in) : 6.0
- Weight : 84 lbs.
Understanding Inverter Generators
For a long time, some large institutions have used inverters to provide stable power even when connected to the grid. A lot of electrical equipment used in laboratories, hospitals, and the aviation industry need AC power that is totally stable. Sophisticated electronic equipment designed to take accurate measurements with 100% accuracy rely on a perfect sine wave to do this, any distortions in the wave will affect the outcome of the measurement and produce inaccurate results. Even grid power can be affected by changes in load, however small this fluctuation may be.
To ensure a perfect sine wave, they use a double-conversion inverter. These inverters convert mains AC power to DC which is easier to control and make use of Internal Gate Bus Transistor (IGBT) technology to manipulate the DC (straight line) power into an AC pulse (sine wave). Capacitors are used to fill any gaps in the wave that result from small changes in the DC voltage. This process is monitored and controlled by a CPU that uses pulse width modulation to ensure that a pure sine wave is produced with low harmonic distortion (less than 3%). Harmonic distortion describes changes in the shape of the sine wave caused by fluctuations in either voltage or frequency.
A portable generator has a much smaller load capacity than those used to supply grid power. This means that they are much more susceptible to fluctuations caused by changing load demands. When harmonic distortion becomes too great, it affects the way an electronic device behaves. This distortion not only affects its operation but also causes harm to the device over time. We see this often when using a TV with a generator – the picture can become distorted or lines can be seen moving up down the screen, the sound can also be affected. There are many modern devices that use a microprocessor, from TVs and computers through to microwaves and washing machines.
Stackable Parallel Inverter Generator | Champion 73536i
This is why generators are now available with inverters, to prevent your electronic equipment from sustaining damage resulting from repeated exposure to harmonic distortion.
Inverters with parallel capabilities have also been around for some time and are now making their way into the portable generator industry. When two sine waves come together from two separate AC power sources, the waves do not match. The two waves will merge to form a completely different form and this completely changes the voltage and frequency of the current. In order to keep the resulting wave the same, the two sine waves have to be synchronized so they move as one. An inverter with parallel capabilities will use a processor to match the two sine waves to each other, synchronizing them to form one sine wave that is identical to the two separate ones.
Who needs a parallel inverter generator?
Inverter generators are used extensively in large installations in order to make provision for future upgrades in technology that may require an increase in power demand. While this may not be applicable to someone using a portable generator, there are a number of other reasons why you may see a need for parallel connections between inverters.
If we look at people who use portable generators, there two basic categories. There’s the home user who wants a generator for recreational use like camping trips or wants to provide backup power for their home during power failures. The other type of user will be contractors, usually in the building industry, who want to use power tools on sites where there is no grid connection.
Let’s take a look at how an inverter generator with parallel functioning can benefit either of these users.
Parallel Inverter Generators for the Home User.
In many cases, you may want a small portable generator for camping trips but also want to use a generator to back up the electricity in your home. After calculating your needs, you’ll probably find that you need a much larger generator for your home than what you’ll require for your holiday trips.
It would seem logical to buy a larger generator and use this for both camping trips and to provide backup to your home. The problem is that the large generator won’t be very practical for taking on holiday. While it may portable, it will still be bulky and very heavy (up to 200 LBS).
Need More Power? Consider — ►Briggs & Stratton Q6500 (Review)
A larger generator will use more fuel, even at low loads and it’s noisier than a small one. At home it’s easier to deal with the noise, you can put the generator on a back porch where the noise won’t interfere with either yourself or your neighbors. When camping, you probably won’t have the same luxury. As for the higher fuel consumption, this means transporting extra fuel to your holiday destination. This not only increases your cost but also takes up more space and adds weight.
If you buy two smaller generators that can run in parallel, you can use them together to meet the extra demand for your home and only take one with you when you go on holiday. This is the perfect solution, extra power when you need it while still having a light, compact generator that runs quieter and uses less fuel for when you don’t need the extra capacity.
Even if your immediate need is only for a small generator, your situation may change in the future. Buying a portable inverter generator with parallel capability now will give you the flexibility to upgrade very easily when the need arises.
Inverter Generator vs Traditional Generator
Inverter vs conventional generators? This is a common question that many readers try to find the answer to on a daily basis, and I’m sure you have many questions of your own that you want answered. Thankfully, we’ve written a comprehensive article that will tell you everything you need to know. Rather than go into to much detail here, we recommend you read : What’s the difference between an inverter generator and a regular portable generator?
Needs of A Contractor : Parallel Power
As a small business with a few people working on one site at a time, you won’t need too much power on site to keep your tools running. Most business owners want to see their business grow. In time, you’ll probably want to see more people working for you. This means that you may well have two or more teams working on separate sites and also be able to take on larger contracts where you may have all your people working on one site.
The versatility of parallel generators is perfect for contractors. Whether you’re planning to grow your business or you’re already in a situation where you work on multiple smaller sites and also work on larger projects, you’ll benefit from this technology. If you have two or more generators that work in parallel, you can use them individually on separate sites where the jobs are smaller and require less power. Alternatively, you can use them together on bigger projects where you have more people on site and require more power.
Educational Video | History of Briggs & Stratton
We’ve covered a lot of Briggs and Stratton products on our site because it’s a trusted brand with a reputation for creating high-value products that endure over time. It’s important for us to share products with our readers that we feel are worth spending your hard-earned money on, in this case, we strongly recommend the Briggs and Stratton P2200 and the Briggs and Stratton P3000 inverter generators.
Visit the Briggs & Stratton site to learn more about their extensive range of products.
Feel free to contact us with your experiences with these generators if you already own them or have recently purchased them. We love hearing from our readers.
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