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Description
Zoom on the Briggs & Stratton Q6500 QuietPower
In a nutshell, the Briggs & Stratton Q6500 QuietPower is a portable inverter generator mostly geared towards:
- RV travellers who wish to upgrade their experience to another level
- People occasionally participating in sporting competitions, open-air performances and outdoor festivals
- Food truck owners who want to ensure that their business is fully self-contained and does not rely on potentially unreliable external power
- Homeowners who want to be sure of their ability to power their fridges, cooking tools, heating and lighting equipment during power failures
- Camping and tailgating hobbyists looking for a portable power source
- 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 Q6500 QuietPower
The Briggs & Stratton Q6500 QuietPower houses a 306 cc Briggs & Stratton OHV 4-stroke engine, which provides 120/240V, consumes gasoline and delivers a running wattage of 5000W along with a peak wattage of 6500W.
Enjoying a noise rating of 66 dBA (less noisy than background music), this inverter generator gets running thanks to a conventional pull-start mechanism.
The fuel capacity of 5 gallons allows the Q6500 QuietPower to operate for up to 14 hours with a full tank (fuel consumption around 0.36 GPH).
Delicate electronics can be plugged in an AC outlets safely, as the Q6500 QuietPower generates a clean sine wave, reaching a <3% Total Harmonic Disruption (THD).
Outlets
The control panel features the upcoming 5 AC outlets:
In addition, it provides 2 DC outlets: there's two 5V USB ports allowing you to conveniently charge electronics such as mobile phones and tablets.
Due to the featured twist-lock L14-30R receptacle, the Q6500 QuietPower is transfer switch ready: you may connect it to a breaker box to power your household during a power outage.
Portability
The Briggs & Stratton Q6500 QuietPower's characteristic encased inverter generator design (L24.8 x W21.2 x H21.5 in), provides an esthetical advantage over any ordinary, open frame product. This modern design aims to provide an ideal power solution to recreational users.
As the generator's weight is 139 pounds, manually moving it or transporting it may be challenging, despite the fact that it is technically considered 'portable' (movable). Nevertheless, it can still be moved quite conveniently with the help of its wheel kit (⌀8") and its telecospic handle, once it is placed on the ground.
Features
The Q6500 QuietPower's control panel
The Q6500 QuietPower and its control panel include power use LEDs that can both display the power output and the amount of hours the generator has accumulated. This feature comes handy when monitoring its status and activity.
In addition to this info, several light indicators serve to show you when the generator is overloaded, the generator is ready and its oil levels are insufficient.
The inverter generator includes a built-in fuel gauge, a quick, easy and convenient method of checking the device’s gas level.
The unit benefits from Briggs & Stratton’s Quiet Power Technology (QPT™), a feature designed to greatly improve its noise levels, emissions and fuel consumption. When the switch, located on the control panel, is turned ON, the engine speed increases as electrical loads are connected, and decreases as electrical loads are removed.
From a security standpoint, the product offers an overload protection (circuit breaker) and an automatic low oil shut-off, allowing you to use it with a peace of mind.
The Q6500 QuietPower also benefits from Briggs & Stratton’s CO Guard™ (opens in a new tab) carbon monoxide shutdown. This new patent-pending technology uses advanced algorithms to shut down the generator when harmful levels of carbon monoxide accumulate in the generator's operating area. It’s a welcomed additional security feature, but don’t forget to always take your generator outside (opens in a new tab).
With the basic documentation and an owner's manual (opens in a new tab), letting you start the generator quickly, the Briggs & Stratton Q6500 QuietPower also comes with several accessories, including: oil and funnel.
Emissions
The Briggs & Stratton Q6500 QuietPower is EPA approved, but NOT CARB-compliant. Thus, it cannot be purchased or sold in California.
However, it features a spark arrestor and thus, may be used in forested areas.
Product Videos
The Briggs & Stratton Q6500 QuietPower versus other generators
The following charts are provided to give you an idea of how some of the key specs of the Briggs & Stratton Q6500 QuietPower compare to generators of similar power (between 4500 and 5500 W).
- As for its weight, the Briggs & Stratton Q6500 QuietPower weighs only 139 pounds, making it one of the lighter generators in the 4500-5500 rated wattage category. If weight is your top priority, one of the champions in this power category is the WEN 56500, weighing just 119 pounds.
- With a lowest noise rating of 66 dBA, the inverter generator is one of the more quiet of the generators of similar power. If noise emissions are important to you, one of the least noisy generators of this power range is the Honda EU7000iS with only 52 dBA.
- The Q6500 QuietPower’s autonomy is somewhat low end compared to devices of its power range, as it reaches only up to 14 hours at 25% load on a full tank. If autonomy is your priority, one of the devices of a similar power output with the highest run time is the Westinghouse WGen5300s, reaching up to 20 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 inverter generator is not among the most fuel efficient, within the aforementioned wattage range : its estimated gasoline consumption at 25% load is around 0.36 GPH. If you wish to acquire one of the most gasoline efficient products of this power range, the Westinghouse WGen5300v, with a fuel consumption of 0.24 GPH could be in your good books.
Here's a list of the most popular specific comparisons:
Price comparison
As you can see from this interactive chart, when compared to other 4500-5500W generators, the Briggs & Stratton Q6500 QuietPower is on the average side of the price range.
Therefore, this generator nicely fits in the expected budget for this kind of product.
The bottom line
- In the expected price range
- CO Guard™ technology
- Several accessories included
- GFCI Outlets
- Inverter
- Lightweight for its kind (139 lbs)
- Quiet for its power (66 dBA)
- No electric start
- No parallel ports
- Not CARB-compliant
- Relatively low run time
- Low fuel efficiency
Features and Specifications
| Inverter | Yes |
|---|---|
| Portable | Yes |
| Parallel capable | No |
| RV ready | No |
| Fuel | Gasoline |
| Engine | 306 cc Briggs & Stratton OHV 4-stroke |
| Starting system | Recoil |
| Voltage | AC: 120/240V 60 Hz, DC: 5V |
|---|---|
| Running watts | 5000 W |
| Starting watts | 6500 W |
| Running amps (@120/240V) | 41.7/20.8 amps |
| Peaks amps (@120/240V) | 54.2/27.1 amps |
| Run time @50% load | 10 h |
| Run time @25% load | 14 h |
| GFCI outlets | Yes |
|---|---|
| Covered outlets | Yes |
| Automatic Voltage Regulation | Inverter |
| AC outlets |
|
| DC outlets | 2x 5V USB port |
| Data center | Power & runtime hours LEDs |
| Indicators | Low oil, overload and output ready |
| Fuel tank | 5 gal |
| Fuel gauge | Yes |
| Weight | 139 lbs |
|---|---|
| Approx. dimensions (L x W x H) | 24.8 x 21.2 x 21.5 in |
| Noise (lower limit) | 66 dBA |
| THD | < 3% |
| Emissions | EPA |
| Security | Low oil and overload protection, CO monitoring |
| Spark arrestor | Yes |
| Neutral | Bonded to frame |
| Accessories included | Oil and funnel |
| Warranty | 2 years |
| Series | QuietPower |
| Other model numbers | 30761 |
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 Q6500 QuietPower is covered under a warranty for up to 2 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
What can it power?
| Item | Running Watts | Starting Watts | |
|---|---|---|---|
| At home | Sump pump (1/2 hp) | 1050 | 2150 |
| Furnace fan (1/2 hp) | 875 | 2350 | |
| Refrigerator (energy star) | 192 | 1192 | |
| Hair dryer | 1800 | 1900 | |
| Set of 5 LED light bulbs | 55 | 55 | |
| Cell phone charger | 20 | 20 | |
| Total | 3992 W | 5467 W | |
| For camping | Radiant heater | 1300 | 1300 |
| RV refrigerator | 180 | 600 | |
| Hair dryer | 1800 | 1900 | |
| Rice cooker | 650 | 650 | |
| Set of 5 LED light bulbs | 55 | 55 | |
| Total | 3985 W | 4405 W | |
| For work | Table saw | 1800 | 4500 |
| Grinder | 1400 | 2500 | |
| Electric fence (25 miles) | 250 | 250 | |
| Drain cleaner | 250 | 250 | |
| Bug zapper | 80 | 80 | |
| Total | 3780 W | 6480 W |
Is the Q6500 electric start? (Asked February 26, 2020)
This unit only has a classic recoil start.
Couldn't find the right answer for you? Ask your own question.
Impressive performance. I had purchased the generator about 3 months before being hit by Hurricane Laura. It had not been used. I ran the generator continuously for 10 days and it ran flawlessly. Very fuel efficient consuming only 9 to 10 gallons of gas a day compared to similar wattage of my non-inverter generators that were consuming 16 to18 gallons per day.
No major complaints. I Just wish that it was possible to run this unit in parallel with another 6500. I would then be set.