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Briggs & Stratton 7,000-Watt Natural Gas / Liquid Propane Stand-by Generator with Transfer Switch #1978
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List Price:
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$1,599.99
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Sales Rank: 69280
Briggs & Stratton
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Avg. Customer Review: 
Media: Tools & Hardware
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Briggs & Stratton 7,000-Watt Natural Gas / Liquid Propane Stand-by Generator with Transfer Switch #1978
- 7,000-watt manual standby generator system with 50 amp manual transfer switch
- Push button start from inside home; permanent connection to natural gas or liquid propane for continuous operation
- Premium commercial-quality engine for reliable, long-lasting performance; operates at 77 dB
- Includes 30 amp 10 circuit manual transfer switch, battery, muffler, and sound-absorbing panels
- 30-1/2 by 22-1/2 by 32-1/2 inches; 280 pounds; 2-year warranty
Amazon.com Product Review
This 7,000-watt generator from Briggs & Stratton provides reliable standby power and versatility for electrifying a wide variety of loads. A remote, push-button start lets you fire up the unit from inside the home or shop. The generator comes equipped with a permanent connector for hooking up to natural gas or liquid propane. A premium, commercial-quality engine means optimal reliability and long-lasting performance. Extremely quiet, the machine operates at just 77 dB, and doesn't drown out conversations inside. The purchase includes a 30 amp, 10-circuit manual transfer switch, a battery, a muffler, and sound-absorbing panels. The generator measures 30-1/2 by 22-1/2 by 32-1/2 inches and weighs 280 pounds for easy portability. Briggs and Stratton covers this machine with a 2-year warranty. Brian D. Olson
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Briggs & Stratton 7,000-Watt Natural Gas / Liquid Propane Stand-by Generator with Transfer Switch #1978
- Tools & Hardware: 0 pages
- Publisher: Briggs & Stratton
- Label: Briggs & Stratton
- Studio: Briggs & Stratton
- Average Customer Review: based on 4 reviews
- Sales Rank in Garden: #69280
Avg. Customer Review:
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
Customer Rating: 
Summary: Well worth the money 2007-01-15
Comment: This is a nice unit for the price. I installed it myself, but wouldn't suggest trying it unless you have knowledge of plumbing and electrical work. The directions are weak, but the phone support is good. What I recommend doing is bumping up the conduit for the wiring to 1 inch as I did. You'll never pull all the wires necessary through the 3/4 as they suggest. Plus I used an external solar charger for the battery rather than run yet another 12/3 wire from the main panel to the unit. This wire is for the battery charger and the oil heater. I guess if you're somewhere very cold, the oil heater is a must, but I didn't feel it was necessary in North Jersey. Also, don't use less than 3/4 inch for the gas line. The charts they give you showing demand for fuel at 50% & 100% load show a serious need for supply that 1/2 inch pipe just won't deliver.
Lastly, I run my whole house on the unit no problem. I do not have central air, and my hot tub isn't on the genny, but it runs 2 refrigerators, a chest freezer, 2 sump pumps, and all my lights and TV's. I haven't tried all my ac window units yet, but I'm sure it'll handle at least 2 of them provided everything else isn't on at the same time.
Hope this helps..
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
Customer Rating: 
Summary: Worth the money! 2006-12-08
Comment: I purchased this gen-set for my cabin (set up for propane) because we lose power during heavy snow and when we lose power we are with out water. I chose this unit because it has enough power to meet our needs but is not overkill. My nephew (who is an HVAC technician and gas/LP certified) and I did the install. The instructions are clear enough for electrically/mechanically savy people so if your not 100% confident in your abilities in this area I would recommend hiring the installtion. It took the two of us about 10 hrs to complete the LP plumbing, wire the transfer switch, the remote start switch and the 240vac "utility" circuit which supplies power for the battery charger, the oil warmer (included with gen-set) and the battery warmer (not included but I purchased through another supplier).
After turning on the fuel and pressing the start switch the generator fired up within seconds. We went inside to do a "sound check" and were pleasantly surprised at the noise level. The gen-set isn't super quiet but it has a very tolerable (not ear piercing) hum. It sounds almost exactly the same as our Onan rv gen-set
All things considered this gen-set is a well thought out design with quality and value built in. I would recommend it to anyone without hesitation.
21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
Customer Rating:
Summary: very nice unit 2006-09-19
Comment: I purchased this because the guardian was too large and had to be set up with automatic standby power. I do not like that feature and prefer to control it manually.
The unit was very affordable and easy to install.I converted it over to L.P. and the install tool was actually included with this unit. It is set up to use 3/4" conduit but I enlarged the hole and used 1" instead, It makes it easier pulling all(12) of the wires if you are using the remote start switch included. I was disappointed the battery warmer was not included and Briggs & stratton wants $100.00 for one. Instead I relocated the battery inside the garage it is sitting next too that way it will not freeze. You can do the same by installing some 3/4" conduit in the battery housing below the fuel inlet and running some bulk lawn tractor battery cable through it from the inside. The connections at the start solenoid and the case ground are easy to get too and it was as snap to solder new eyelets on the battery cables and install it. It only cost about $40.00 to convert it.Much better than $100.00 and if the battery does go dead it is easier to get to to jump start it than removing the lid and panels if it is snowing. It would also make it easier to use a different or better quality battery than the one they are packaged with. Overall the generator is great, but install instructions for the remote switch were weak, You really have to trace the diagrams carefully so you don't cross them, That part could have been enhanced or even color coded to aid installation.
52 of 52 people found the following review helpful:
Customer Rating:
Summary: A Nice Little Stealth "Looking" Generator 2006-09-13
Comment: I ended up purchasing the Briggs & Stratton "manual start" model 01978 standby generator. Originally, I was using a portable generator. The main reason I purchased it is the "rain tight" enclosure. You can run it in any type of weather. Every time my power goes out, it is usually due to bad weather. It is dangerous running a portable in the rain/ snow- even if covered. The portable has to be set up and refueled frequently. Also, consider gasoline supply, storage and the short shelf life. You get the picture.
I recently had it installed. So far, so good. It has about 7 hours on it and no problems. I've already changed the oil once too.
A few things to consider when installing it:
If you place the supplied composite pad on concrete or blocks, it should be secured. The generator has a tendency to "twist" counter-clockwise when starting. I placed it on concrete blocks. I also installed blocks on the side and buried them to prevent it from moving. See picture.
I had it converted to propane. Everything is included to do this except the "insertion tool". I ended up purchasing it from Briggs & Stratton (part number 19570) to find out later it is basically a stubby screwdriver. It is made by Brownells (part number 080-360-540 for the bit). See picture.
The engine is rated 140,000 BTU/HR full load on propane. A real time use estimate is about 1 gallon an hour (92,000 BTU/HR). It would run continuously for about 3-4 days on a full 100 gallon/ 420# tank (depending on the load). Do not even think about using 20# BBQ grill tanks (or 30/40#). These will not work (very long). They do not have the BTU/HR capacity- especially in colder weather.
The instructions indicate to install a sediment trap on the gas line. The only problem is in a cold climate (below freezing) they are not allowed. It could collect moisture, freeze and expand (causing a gas leak). Don't forget the gas shut off.
I've read some of the horror stories about other brands of standby generators. I don't know how reliable this is yet. For that reason, I left my previously installed L14-30 inlet in place and had it rewired. The generator controls and utility are permanently connected. The power output is connected to the L14-30 inlet with a weather proof flexible cord (type SOOW). If there is a problem or I run out of fuel, I still can plug in a portable (with a separate cord). See picture.
You should have some type of watt meter to monitor the load. I had a custom control panel installed with a digital meter. The meter is model EM7501 made by Reliance Controls. The box is a 6x6x4 made by Eurobex (part number 1100-DF060604). The reason I chose this brand it is the only one with 4 screws securing the cover. Most other brands had two screws. See picture.
You should have an 8 foot ground rod installed for additional safety if the generator is more than 6 feet from your panel. Also, if you have an older house without any ground rod or the service is using just the water meter as the ground.
I also installed an hour meter/ tachometer. Sendec has a nice one (part number 806-100-0222). It is very useful for oil changes and to know how long the power is out. They have a basic one too with just hours (part number 806-101-1031). I originally purchased a Tinytach. I do not like this as much as the Sendec. The Sendec breaks the time down into tenth's of an hour, Tinytach does not.
It's a nice little stealth "looking" generator- it looks like an air conditioner (your neighbors will never know you have one- unless it's running). It is a little loud. You would not want to put in a place that would disturb anyone.
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