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Portable Generators
- Basic portable generator, 3,250 watts Generac 5724 *Est. $450
- Small generator for electronics and computers, 2,000 watts Honeywell HW2000i *Est. $500
- Midsized portable generator, 6,200 watts Briggs & Stratton Elite 30242 *Est. $1000
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Midsized portable generator, 6,200 watts
- Electric start
- Low-oil shutdown
- Fuel gauge
- Includes wheel kit, 30-amp cord
- Automatic voltage regulation
- Noisy
- Not CARB compliant
- No DC outlet
For basic household backup, reviews recommend the 6,200-watt Briggs & Stratton Elite 30242, which surges to 8,750 watts. The 30242 can provide enough electricity to run the lights and most appliances in a medium-sized home. (You'll need to install a transfer switch to power anything that doesn't plug directly into an outlet.) The generator has four regular AC outlets and one 30-amp outlet; the included 30-amp cord has four outlets on the end. The Briggs & Stratton warranty is good for two years. If you don't need this much power, you may want to consider the 3,250-watt Generac 5724 (*Est. $450) instead.
We found the best review of the Briggs & Stratton Elite 30242 generator at ConsumerReports.org, where it's tested and ranked in relation to five generators of comparable size plus five smaller models. We found an expert retailer review by Jon Hoch of ElectricGeneratorsDirect.com, where the 30242 is listed as a recommended model and best seller. A handful of owners review it at Amazon.com.
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Our Sources
1. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe
Based on objective testing, ConsumerReports.org compares the Briggs & Stratton Elite 30242 with five other midsized portable generators and five smaller models. The evaluated models are rated on power quality, noise and ease of use as well as how well they supply emergency power.
Review: Weathering Disaster: Generators, Editors of ConsumerReports.org, Oct. 2006
2. Electric Generators Direct.com
Retail website ElectricGeneratorsDirect.com recommends the Briggs & Stratton 30242 portable generator as the best midsized generator it carries, praising its electric starter as unusual in this size range. They say it can power "all your survival appliances and a bunch more." A handful of owners posting user reviews also give the Briggs & Stratton 30242 glowing feedback.
Review: Briggs & Stratton 6200 Watt Electric Start Generator, Jon Hoch and contributors to ElectricGeneratorsDirect.com
3. Amazon.com
A handful of owners posting reviews at Amazon.com praise the electric startup and overall convenience of the Briggs & Stratton 30242 portable generator, but one finds it loud enough to bother close neighbors.
Review: Briggs & Stratton Elite Series 8,750 Watt 11 HP OHV Gas Powered Portable Generator, Contributors to Amazon.com
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