Briggs & Stratton 30552 Elite Spec Review

Description

Zoom on the Briggs & Stratton 30552 Elite

In a nutshell, the Briggs & Stratton 30552 Elite is a portable generator mostly geared towards:

• Food van owners who know that just a short power outage could lose them hundreds of dollars
• Professionals in need of safely powering high-intensity work or lighting equipment

In the sections ahead, the power characteristics, availability of various outlets, the portability, and any additional features of the device shall be discussed, including its emission compliance information.

Power & Run Time

The Briggs & Stratton 30552 Elite is powered by a 420 cc Briggs & Stratton OHV 4-stroke engine. It delivers 120/240V, runs on gasoline and offers a running wattage of 7500W as well as a peak wattage of 9375W.

Its starting mechanisms include a conventional pull-start mechanism and a convenient and easy-to-use electric starter (battery included).

Thanks to a fuel capacity of 7.5 gallons, the 30552 Elite can operate for around 9 hours at 50% load with a full tank (fuel consumption around 0.83 GPH).

Outlets

The control panel features the upcoming 5 AC outlets:

Two Duplexes 120V 20A (5-20R) GFCI

120/240V 30A (L14-30R) receptacle

Due to the featured twist-lock L14-30R receptacle, the 30552 Elite is transfer switch ready: you may connect it to a breaker box to power your household during a power outage.

Portability

With its dimensions of L28 x W30 x H29 in, the conventional, open frame design of the Briggs & Stratton 30552 Elite offers stability and allows the generator to be raised above ground level. The device has been designed for tough environments and demanding outdoor use.

As the generator's weight is 232 pounds, manually moving it or transporting it may be challenging, despite the fact that it is technically considered 'portable' (movable). Nevertheless, thanks to its wheel kit (⌀12") and its folding handle (a decent solution to its lack of maneuverability), the generator can be easily moved, once placed the ground.

Features

The 30552 Elite's control panel

The control panel of the 30552 Elite includes a digital data center, which assists you in monitoring its status and activity, as it provides information on the lifetime run hours.

The generator allows for a quick, easy and convenient assessment of its gas level, as it is equipped with a built-in fuel gauge.

From a security point of view, the generator is equipped with an automatic low oil shut-off and an overload protection (circuit breaker), giving you a peace of mind during use.

Besides the usual set of documentation and owner's manual (opens in a new tab) to get you promptly started, Briggs & Stratton also included a battery charger in the 30552 Elite's packaging.

Emissions

The Briggs & Stratton 30552 Elite is CARB-compliant. Thus, selling and purchasing this generator is allowed in each of the 50 states, including California.

Moreover, it features a spark arrestor, making it usable in forested areas.

The Briggs & Stratton 30552 Elite versus other generators

The following charts are provided to give you an idea of how some of the key specs of the Briggs & Stratton 30552 Elite compare to generators of similar power (between 7000 and 8000 W).

• At a dry weight of 232 pounds, the Briggs & Stratton 30552 Elite is one of the heavier devices which can produce between 7000 and 8000 running watts. In terms of weight, one of the champions in their power range is the Sportsman GEN85KIDF, standing at just 133 lbs.
• As far as autonomy is concerned, providing around 9 hours of runtime with a full tank at a 50% load, the 30552 Elite falls into the low end in comparison with other devices of a comparable power output. If autonomy is your priority, one of the devices of a similar power output with the highest run time is the A-iPower SUA8000iSF, reaching around 13 hours.
• Even though run times are undoubtedly important, they are dependent on the fuel capacity to a large extent. For a more wholesome picture, we must take into consideration the fuel consumption of the generator. In fact, this generator is not among the most fuel efficient, within the aforementioned wattage range : its estimated gasoline consumption at 50% load is around 0.83 GPH. If fuel consumption is your top priority, we suggest to check out the A-iPower SUA8000iSF, which has a fuel consumption of only 0.52 GPH and thus, is one of the most efficient devices in our database.

The bottom line

Unlike many websites, we did our best to research each of the specs above. That being said, we are not immune to making the occasional mistake or omission. Should you notice any missing or incorrect values, don't hesitate to suggest improvements so we can address the issue.

About Briggs & Stratton

Founded in 1908, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Briggs & Stratton is a well renowned American based gasoline engine manufacturer. While the company mainly focuses on engines – including outdoor, power tool, karting, cast iron and aluminum models, power generators are a crucial component of their portfolio as well – Briggs & Stratton provides both portable and standby solutions for casual users with full support, including installation. The company operates on a global scale, with 13 facilities spread across all the of the continents.

Warranty Information

The Briggs & Stratton 30552 Elite is covered under a warranty for up to 3 years. This warranty may be limited and may not cover all parts of the generator.
For more information about the warranty of Briggs & Stratton generators, please consult Briggs & Stratton's warranty policies stated in the user manual (opens in a new tab). Alternatively, you can also contact their Customer Support : 1-800-743-4115.

Questions & Answers

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