Briggs & Stratton P2200 Inverter Generator
Briggs & Stratton P2200 Inverter Generator is a very popular 2000W class power inverter generator from the Briggs & Stratton so-called 'PowerSmart Series' of inverter generators.
Briggs & Stratton P2200 PowerSmart Series Inverter Generator is well designed and build power generator, offering reliable power for camping or fishing trips, in emergencies, or other off-the-grid situations.
Published: February 22, 2021.
Briggs & Stratton P2200 Inverter Generator Features and Specifications
Briggs & Stratton manufactures two very similar power inverter generators, labeled as Briggs & Stratton P2200:
- Model 030698, which features 230 volts @50 Hz output,
- Model 030651, which features 120 volts @60 Hz output.
Although both models have many similarities, this article is all about Briggs & Stratton P2200 Model 030651 featuring 120 volts @60 Hz output voltage.
Briggs & Stratton P2200 PowerSmart Series Inverter Generator features 1700 Running Watts and 2200 Starting Watts.
It is powered by 111 cc engine, featuring manual recoil start, low-oil automatic shutdown, automatic idle control, and Briggs & Stratton's Quiet Power Technology (QPT) which adjusts the engine speed according to the load, decreasing the noise and prolonging the runtime on the single fuel tank.
Briggs & Stratton P2200 comes with a 1-gallon (~3.7 liters) fuel tank, enabling the unit to operate up to 8 hours @25% load (~425 watts).
The oil tank capacity is 13.5 ounces (0.4 liters) - before each start, it is recommended to check the oil level, just in case. Also, the oil must be replaced every 100 hours of operation. However, Briggs & Stratton P2200 does not have an hour meter and fuel gauge.
Note: when You buy Briggs & Stratton P2200, be sure to familiarize yourself with your new power generator - read the manual thoroughly and keep it close to the unit, just in case. Briggs & Stratton P2200 is simple to maintain and use inverter generator, but better be safe than sorry.
The unit is relatively lightweight and compact. It weighs 54.6 pounds (~24.8 kg) with physical dimensions of 21 x 12.5 x 17.35 inches (~53.3 x 32 x 44 cm) and it features H-style carrying handle allowing one or two adults to easily carry the generator when required.
Total Harmonic Distortions (THD) levels are less than 3%, making it suitable for powering sensitive electronic devices - personally, at <3% THD levels are low enough, but some really sensitive electronics may have issues with it, although very rarely.
Noise levels are around 59 dB at 25% load at 23 feet (7 m) distance, ensuring that the unit can be used when camping or in residential areas.
Control lights on the Control Port include:
- OK!: green LED light signalizes that the unit operates properly and that the power is present at all ports.
- Overload Alarm: red LED light signalizes an overload condition and in order to protect the unit, all power to the receptacles is cut OFF. Also, green OK! LED light is turned OFF.
- Low Oil Indicator: yellow LED light signalizes that the oil level is low. In order to protect the engine, power is cut off from the receptacles and the engine is turned OFF.
Briggs & Stratton P2200 comes with output ports that include two 120V/20A household ports, and one 12V 5A (60 watts max.) DC port with a USB adapter.
Although both 120V ports are labeled as 20 Amps ports, their maximum current is 14.16 Amps continuously and 18.33 Amps starting - 120V/20A is the label of the receptacle, not how much each receptacle may provide.
Since Briggs & Stratton P2200 is a parallel ready unit, using an additional parallel kit (sold separately), two units may be connected in parallel in order to increase output power - when connected in parallel, two Briggs & Stratton P2200 generators may provide up to 3000 watts (NOT 3400 watts as one may expect!).
Like all other power generators that use gas to produce power, Briggs & Stratton P2200 power generator must be used outdoors only, with sufficient distance between the generator and people - depending on the location, wind conditions.
This and other power generators should never be operated indoors since they also produce carbon-monoxide - tasteless, invisible, but very toxic gas.
The unit comes with a 2-year limited residential and a 90 days commercial warranty according to the official Briggs & Stratton site (some sites claim 1-year commercial warranty!) - warranty terms may change, so please check them before buying.
Briggs & Stratton P2200 Generator as the Battery Charger
Briggs & Stratton P2200 Generator may be used in two ways to charge the deep cycle batteries - using its 12V 5A DC port, or connecting the battery charger to one (or both) of its 120V AC ports.
Since intelligent AGM/Lithium battery chargers are much better at analyzing, charging, and maintaining lead-acid and lithium batteries, IMHO, they are a much better option for charging large, deep cycle batteries like RV house batteries, trolling motor batteries, and similar.
For example, when 12V 25 Amps battery charger with 80% efficiency is connected to the Briggs & Stratton P2200 Generator, the generator must provide:
P(W) = 12V * 25 Amps / 0.80 = 375 W
These 375 watts are ~22% of the 1700 Running Watts of the unit and they don't represent any issue to such unit.
Briggs & Stratton P2200 may power such battery charger for more than 8 hours and during these 8 hours, it can recharge 12V 200 Ah battery easily.
Note: when 12V 5A DC port is used, the QPT switch may not be used. But, when the generator is used for powering, for example, ~400W battery charger, turning the QPT switch ON allows the onboard electronics to adjust the RPM of the engine to the most optimal according to the load.
Long Story Short: If You are looking for a 2000 watts class inverter power generator, consider Briggs & Stratton P2200 PowerSeries Smart Power Generator - when maintained properly, it is a very reliable unit, very liked by its owners.
For more reviews and recommendations, feel free to check Briggs & Stratton P2200 PowerSmart Series Inverter Generator Amazon link (link opens in the new window).
