Briggs and Stratton 40248 7 000 Watt PowerNow Dual Mode Air Cooled Home Standby Generator
The Dual-Mode Generator allows you the flexibility to get immediate backup power now (when you need it most) and permanently installed backup power later – all in one compact unit. Engine: Briggs and Stratton, Rated Watts LP (kW): 7,000, Rated Watts NG (kW): 6,000, Surge Watts LP (kW): 10,500, Surge Watts NG (kW): 9,000, Volts: 120/240, Phase: Single, Fuel Type: Liquid Propane, Natural Gas, Enclosure: Yes, Battery Required: Yes, Battery Included: Yes, Dimensions L x W x H (in.): 30 1/2 x 22 1/2 x 32 1/2
User Ratings and Reviews
4 Stars Two thumbs up.
I bought this generator to run my irrigation system in the back of my farm, so I would not have to run 500 yards of power cable or gas line. The choice of portable bottles or perminate is great. I us my tractor to shuttle the portable tanks back and forth. The generator starts easy and runs great. My irrigation system does not even raise my generator past an idle.
4 Stars Pretty good but get the better one
I bought this for my parents who had three outages in two years. It was installed professionally and has already powered them through another outage. It also powered everything in their house except the air conditioning condensers and the electric stove/oven. That is the good news.
The not so good news is that this unit cannot be installed with an automatic transfer switch. That is a switch that automatically senses a power outage, turns itself on and then switches over to backup power. This unit uses a manual switch which requires someone to go to the unit, turn it on, and then go to the transfer switch and flip a switch. Not horrible but not the best if you can buy the better unit and automatic switch.
My parents are very pleased that they had the unit and someone came over to switch it on for them.
5 Stars Very Happy
I purchased this generator in August of 2008. I live in an area (upstate NY) where we lose power frequently. The item arrived and was delivered to my back yard in perfect working order.
We recently had a very bad ice storm in the Northeast and we lost power for 3 days. The generator worked perfectly running my sump pump, hot water heater (gas, direct vent), furnace, fridge (2) and several lights. I had to run power cords from outside rather than use the NEMA power cord to a manual transfer switch I had installed before the generator was delivered (more on that later). I ran the house for 10-12 hours on the 2 20lb propane tanks before I needed to change them out, which was to me, excellent. The generator is very quiet, we could barely hear it in the house. I have it installed behind my garage facing downwind of the house.
Okay, the transfer switch issue. While the manual, Briggs & Stratton web site, Briggs & Stratton FAQ page does not specifically state this, you MUST purchase the B&S manual transfer switch PERIOD! The model number is Briggs & Stratton 71014 – PowerNow Generator Transfer Kit (10 Circuits). This is the only transfer switch that works with the GFCI breaker installed in the generator. I had 3 electricians (friends of mine) look at the gen-tran 30 amp transfer switch wiring that was installed in my house and it is NOT a switching neutral switch.
Confused? I was too until I got on the phone with a very nice B&S technician who told me to only use their switch. I was dissapointed as I then needed to shell out another $400.00 but now it’s working fine. I did let B&S know that they should be specific about the fact that only their switch is compatible with these types of generators. It is because of this fact that I only rated it 4 stars.
All in all that one storm alone made this purchase worth every penny. It also kept the house in harmony (if you know what I mean).
I would heartly recommend this generator to anyone who is looking for a well built powerful and quiet standby generator. Just make sure you buy the 71014 – PowerNow Generator Transfer Kit from B&S
