Portable Generator Power when off grid or emergencies

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Briggs & Stratton P2200 Generator 2021 Review

Rated for 1700 watts at 120 volts with a sine wave inverter that runs at less than 3% THD with a peak rating of 2200 watts. A reasonable 1-gallon fuel tank, which will run at quarter load for up to 8 hours. Briggs & Stratton motors have a good reputation, and many manufacturers use them.

There are two standard US 120-volt sockets at 20 Amps, each with a reset button for surges. The P2200 has a 12-volt DC car outlet with dust cover, also with a reset switch. And a covered parallel socket so that you can connect another P2200 and double your amps.

Many other brands also have Parallel capabilities like Hondas Eu2200i and the world-famous Yamaha EF 2000i. But none are as easy to connect up as the Briggs and Stratton P2200.

This engine is a 111cc 4-stroke, which runs at a quiet 59 decibels. For the size and power of this generator, 54 pounds is more than reasonable.

And the H-handle makes it easier for two people to carry it. If this still sounds heavy, Braggs & Stratton make a wheeled trolley for it to buy separately.

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Contents

Ease of Use

For your convenience, the Briggs & Stratton P2200 Generator comes with a user manual, as well as a user-friendly control panel. These offer valuable, simple instructions, and indicators for how to properly use your Briggs & Stratton P2200 Generator.

In fact, this generator even has an automatic shutdown, when it reaches low oil. Low oil can do serious damage to generators, so this can be a real lifesaver! 

The Briggs & Stratton P2200 Generator weighs only 54 pounds, and in case two people need to carry it, it comes with an H-handle (2 and ½ handles in one). This makes it even easier to transport the Briggs & Stratton P2200 Generator.

Compare this to other brands like the Champion Dual fuel 3800 Watt generators which has an increased wattage but weighs over 90 lbs. The added wattage certainly means more weight.

See our review of the best budget generators here!

Performance

The Briggs & Stratton P2200 Generator is powered by a state-of-the-art, 11 cc OHV engine with a muffler. This provides a respectable 2200 starting watts and 1700 running watts in total.

The Briggs & Stratton P2200 Generator also possesses a top-of-the-line inverter. What does this mean? Safer, cleaner power. 

You see, an inverter generator will refine the electrical current much more than a conventional generator will. The Briggs & Stratton P2200 Generator has a harmonic distortion of only 3%. This means that you can connect even sensitive devices, like your gaming system, laptop, or TV.

This generator offers 6.5-hour runtime at a load of 25%. Want more power, and a greater runtime? Connect another PowerSmart Series P2200 or P3000 parallel. You can disconnect the generators to carry and pack separately, and then connect them again for use, for double the power!

All that you need to do is fill the tank. The Briggs & Stratton P2200 Generator is very efficient, and a full tank of just one gallon can get you up to 6.5 hours of runtime before you’ll need to refuel. This is easy to do, at your local gas station, and it is much less expensive than refueling your car!

briggs and stratton parallel connection

Noise Level of the P2200

Did you know that most campgrounds require generators to be under a certain decibel level? Generally, they cap this off at 60 dBA. This is, of course, to ensure that you will not disturb the ambiance of nature for everyone else, and yourself. 

60 dBA is about the same as your average conversation level. The Briggs & Stratton P2200 Generator purrs, at only 59 dBA, making it perfect for camping and RV. This is no louder than your average conversation level. With this generator, you can enjoy nature, without sacrificing the little luxuries of home!

too loud image

In a residential setting, you are sure to appreciate the quiet function of the Briggs & Stratton P2200 Generator as well. You will not have to deal with the excessive noise associated with a lower-quality generator. In your home, you can use this generator as a source of precious backup power. 

✅ What we liked

  • Quiet. So quiet that you would need to stop talking about it to hear it running.
  • Sockets. Lots of them and there are covers for the sensitive ones.
  • Efficient. Runs for a long time on little fuel.
  • Inverter. Provides safer, cleaner power.
  • H-handle. A unique feature that makes carrying the generator even easier.

❌ What could be better

  • The USB ports that come with the P2200 are in the form of an add-on adaptor.
  • Fuel. No obvious way to check the fuel remaining, other than looking into the tank.

Technical facts & Features

  • Starting 2200W — Continuous 1700W
  • Fuel Type: Gas
  • Capacity: 1-gal.
  • Tank Run-Time @ 25% Load: 8 hrs.
  • Noise Level @ 25% Load: 59 dB.
  • Weight: 54.6 lb. (24.77 kg).
  • Warranty: 2 Years

Briggs & Stratton P2200 vs Briggs & Stratton P3000

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The Briggs & Stratton P2200 and Briggs & Stratton P3000 are quite similar, but there are a few key differences as well. First off, they are both inverter generators, making them excellent sources of safe and reliable power. Both use gasoline for fuel.  The Briggs & Stratton P2200 and the Briggs & Stratton P3000 are portable and highly recommended for camping and RV. 

However, the Briggs & Stratton P2200 is a bit smaller than the Briggs & Stratton P3000! This makes it more lightweight, but also somewhat less powerful. You see, the Briggs & Stratton P3000 has 900-watts more of running power. The trade-off is that it is a bit heavier. This is due to a larger, more heavy-duty 171 cc engine (compared to the 111 cc engine of the Briggs & Stratton P2200).

While both of these generators are known for their quiet operation, the Briggs & Stratton P3000 is even quieter, at only 58 dBA. This generator also has a slightly longer runtime (by about 2 hours, at 25% load).

P2200 vs Other Generators

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When it comes to generators, the Briggs & Stratton P2200 Generator stands apart! This generator boasts quieter function, greater fuel-efficiency, and cleaner, safer power. Many generators reach or exceed 70 dBA. This is a fairly high sound level, and certainly not suitable for camping and RV. The Briggs & Stratton P2200 Generator, on the other hand, is only 60 dBA. 

The Briggs & Stratton P2200 Generator also has an inverter, which many other generators do not have. This makes it safer for smaller, sensitive devices, like your laptop or cell. 

Finally, while many generators require several gallons of fuel, the Briggs & Stratton P2200 Generator has a mere 1-gallon fuel tank. This achieves up to 6.5-hours of runtime (depending on the load). Impressive!

tailgate party

Control Panel

Like all of the best generators, the Briggs & Stratton P2200 Generator has all of its controls on a handy control panel. This includes one DC outlet, two AC outlets, and a USB adapter. This allows you to plug-in a variety of electronics, appliances, and devices, big and small.

briggs and stratton p2200

Service, Manual & Warranty

To properly service your Briggs & Stratton P2200 Generator, you will need to periodically change its oil. Also, make sure not to let the generator run on low fuel. The fuel that you put in your generator should be nice and new.

The Briggs & Stratton P2200 Generator has a user-friendly control panel, and you can find much more detailed information in the user manual as well. For example, exactly how often to change the oil. 

This generator has a 2-year warranty (or a 1-year commercial warranty).

What can you power with a P2200

You can power many things with your Briggs & Stratton P2200 Generator. This generator will allow you to play music, set up lights, watch TV… even plug-in your coffee pot, for your favorite brew! The Briggs & Stratton P2200 Generator truly allows you to bring the luxuries of home to the beauty of nature. 

Also charge laptops, cellphones, your 3Ds, your digital camera… a top-quality portable generator such as this can be infinitely useful.

In case of a power outage at home, you will not have to go without, when you use a Briggs & Stratton P2200 Generator to provide your household with precious backup power.

AppliancesRunning WattsStart Up Watts
Clock Radio3 W5 W
Phone Charger3 W5 W
Google Nest5 W5 W
Tablet Computer10 W15 W
32 In LED TV20 W60 W
Air Purifier25 W30 W
Humidifier35 W40 W
Cooling Fan40 W60 W
Freezer40 W60 W
PS4 or Xbox50 W120 W
Lightbulb 60 W60 W60 W
Water Dispenser100 W100 W
Refrigerator150 W300 W
American Style Refrigerator200 W 500 W
Garden Strimmer300 W500 W
Submersible Water Pump350 W500 W
Music Stereo400 W400 W
Vacuum Cleaner400 W1000 W
Toaster700 W1900 W
Electric Drill800 W1100 W
Coffee Maker800 W1000 W
Washing Machine 800 W800 W
Lawn Mower1000 W1500 W
Air Fryer1400 W1400 W
Air Compressor1500 W4800 W
Oven2000 W 2000 W
Home Air Conditioner1200 W4000 W
RV Air Conditioner1300 W4500 W
Belt Sander1400 W2400 W
Hairdryer1400 W1400 W
Hammer Drill1700 W1600 W
Air Compressor – 1 HP1600 W4800 W
Welding Rig2500 W3000 W

Accessories

Briggs & Stratton SAE 5W-30 Synthetic Small Engine...
Briggs & Stratton SAE 5W-30 Synthetic Small Engine...
100% Synthetic SAE 5W-30; For Use In All Air Cooled 4-cycle Engines; 32 Oz. bottle

Last update on 2024-11-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Editors Final Thoughts

As you can see, this is a pretty extraordinary little generator. Weighing just over 50 pounds, it is ultra-portable, while providing ample power. To bring it with you on the road, just lift your Briggs & Stratton P2200 Generator by the special H-handle, to carry or pack. 

Use your Briggs & Stratton P2200 Generator as a backup at home, or, it is even quiet enough to use for camping and RV! Power lights, music, and a crockpot, and recharge your cellphone as well.

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All the article on Oofgrid offer help and practical advice for using and purchasing a portable generator. However, We are enthusiasts and not qualified electricians. Always seek professional advice when working with electrical or Petrol appliances.