Briggs and Stratton P3000

Briggs and Stratton P3000

The Briggs and Stratton company has over 110 years of experience building commercial and residential products. It’s a name you can trust if you are in the market for a generator.

The Briggs and Stratton P3000 generator is a mid-sized entry in their popular PowerSmart lineup of portable inverter generators. Briggs and Stratton market the P3000 as a quiet, portable inverter generator that works well for camping, tailgating, or other activities.

Features & Benefits of P3000 (30545) PowerSmart Inverter Generator

Here are some features and benefits of the PowerSmart P3000 Inverter generator.

Power Output and Run Time

Featuring a 171-cc and 4-stroke OVH engine that consumes gasoline, the Briggs Stratton P3000 PowerSmart inverter generator provides 120 volts of output.

The P3000 is capable of 3000 peak watts and a running wattage of 2600W, and with the use of a separately purchased PowerSmart parallel kit, you can double that power using two units of P3000s together.

Briggs and Stratton designed this generator with a 1.5-gallon (5.7 L) fuel tank, providing up to 10 hours of run time at 25% load. This translates to consumption of 0.15 GPH.

Since this generator uses the inverter technology, the engine speed automatically adjusts according to the power needs of the connected loads, providing for quiet and efficient operation with lower gasoline consumption.

This P3000 Powersmart series generator has a total harmonic distortion of less than 3%. Hence it can deliver clean power to all your sensitive electronics.

Outlets, Hook-Up Provisions, and Possibilities

The P3000 inverter generator offers multiple outlets (five Nos. of NEMA AC power receptacles) for hooking up to homes, RVs, or other outdoor power equipment.

  1. Two Nos. of Duplex three-prong 120V, 20 A, NEMA 5 – 20R receptacles.
  2. One No. of 120V, 30 A, NEMA L5-30R receptacle.

Since this portable generator does not carry a TT-30R outlet, it cannot be strictly called RV-ready, but you can make use of the L5-30R outlet to connect the generator to your RV with an adapter (adapter is supplied with the generator).

You can use the receptacles on the P3000 for appliances like your RV’s air conditioner, refrigerator, or TV. However, it won’t be able to feed larger appliances like 15,000+ BTU air conditioning units. For them, you may need to parallel two units using a parallel connector kit.

The P3000 also offers a 12V/5A DC charger outlet with a DC circuit breaker. This outlet is helpful for charging outdoor power equipment or vehicle batteries.

There’s a USB outlet for charging small informational technology appliances such as phones and laptops with a maximum current of 1 A.

Start-Up and Remote Start

The P3000 generator has only the pull-cord start-up mechanism that you’re probably already familiar with if you’ve ever used a generator before.

This generator doesn’t feature an electric start button or remote start, either of which is standard on generators in the same price range.

Portability, Dimensions, and Weight

P3000 inverter generator has a lightweight design, weighing only 84 pounds (dry weight). With two 6-inch, Never-Go-Flat wheels, and a luggage-style telescoping handle for easy mobility, the P3000 offers portability over all sorts of terrains.

The dimensions of this generator are 14 x 21 x 26 (W x H x L) inches. The compact dimensions make the generator easier to navigate through a crowded campsite or tailgate party. Thanks to its small size, it is also easier to store the generator in a garage or RV.

Finally, a 2 – Person unique twin handle design makes lifting or moving the generator easier, provided you have someone willing to lend a hand.

Other Features

Here are a few more features of the Briggs and Stratton P3000 PowerSmart generator.

Quiet power OR PowerSmart Technology (QPT)

This P3000 PowerSmart series generator offers Briggs & Stratton’s Quiet Power Technology (QPT), which helps cut down noise levels. It keeps the generator running at around 58 dBA, the noise levels you will expect in a working office or a normal conversation in a restaurant. This quiet generator operation makes it a preferred backup power solution for camping, tailgating, and other outdoor recreation activities.

You can switch this feature “ON” and “OFF” with a single switch. In its ON mode, the speed of the engine varies with the loads connected to the generator reducing sound levels and resulting in efficient power utilization. When it is turned Off, the engine runs at full speed irrespective of the load. The switch must be OFF when starting, stopping the generator, and using the DC receptacle.

Paralleling With Other Generators

The P3000 is capable of being paralleled with another generator to deliver more power.

By purchasing a PowerSmart parallel kit, you can use the P3000’s parallel connector port to attach another generator. Remember to make sure the other generator is an inverter generator and parallel compatible. Total power output from the two connected units must not exceed 4.8kW, and the PowerSmart switch must be in the same position for both generators.

Control Panel (CP) Features

Besides the outlets, the P3000’s CP has overload protection to keep your devices safe and the switch for the QPT technology.

It also has a digital StatStation data LCD display screen with information about the generator’s power output, lifetime run hours, etc., as detailed below.

Security, Alarms, and Accessories

The P3000 StatStation monitors and displays the following parameters:

  1. Load Monitor: It measures the output power of all the receptacles and shows them as a percentage of the total generator load.
  2. Hour Meter: This meter records and displays the total unit hours run up to 999.9 hrs.
  3. Maintenance Reminders: The feature alerts you to change the air filter, oil, and spark plug after 50 hours of operation.
  4. Output Indicator: The green LED indicator signifies the normal operation of the generator with power at all receptacles.
  5. Overload Alarm: red LED comes on and cuts power to the receptacles on overload. You need to unplug all the appliances and Reset the generator before starting again.
  6. P3000 inverter generator has a low-oil shut-off. It also has an oil level indicator and a fuel gauge.

You get several accessories with the P3000, including battery charging cables, an RV adapter, a funnel, and a toolkit. A storage cover can be purchased separately.

Emissions

The Briggs and Stratton P3000 generator is not certified as CARB-compliant (California Air Resources Board). It also is not officially approved by the EPA.

However, the generator includes a spark arrestor for safe use in forested areas, and the QPT technology does reduce emissions.

Warranty

Briggs and Stratton offer two warranties. The first is a 90-day commercial warranty. The second is a 2-year consumer warranty with only parts covered in the second year.

The warranties don’t cover normal wear and tear, installation and maintenance, or other exclusions as outlined in the P3000 owner’s manual.

About the Manufacturer 

Founded by Stephen F. Briggs and Harold M. Stratton, the company initially focused on agricultural and military applications.

The company grew into the lawn and garden industry and eventually began producing home goods, including pressure washers, generators, and pumps.

Briggs and Stratton is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

FAQ

Where are Briggs & Stratton generators made?

Briggs & Stratton makes and assembles the enclosures and engines for their generators in their factories in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, Munnsville, New York, and a few other US-based locations.

How loud is the P3000 generator?

The P3000 runs at 58 dBA at a distance of 7m at 25% load, which is the noise level of many air conditioners and dishwashers.

Where can I buy a P3000 generator?

Briggs and Stratton work with online and local retail stores. They also have certified dealers nationwide. You can locate a dealer on their website using the Briggs and Stratton Dealer Locator tool.

Things To Consider Before Buying

Here are some factors to consider before buying a P3000 generator.

Best Suited For

The P3000 is an excellent generator for camping, tailgating, and other activities.

It’s a mid-size generator marketed as easily portable with carrying handles and rugged wheels. It is also a quiet portable generator that uses QPT technology to reduce noise and emissions.

Reasons To Buy

With plenty of outlets, excellent power output, and low-noise operation, this generator offers enough features to consider it a great choice as a backup during a power outage.

The portability, easy start-up, and StatStation display make it easy to use, while the safety features ensure you won’t damage your devices.

Strengths, Weaknesses, & Standard Features

Take a look at some of Briggs and Stratton’s pros, cons, and standard aspects of the P3000 generator.

Pros:

  • Very transportable,
  • It comes with an RV adapter
  • It uses inverter technology, is parallel capable, and provides clean and consistent power.
  • Rates highly for fuel efficiency and low noise

Cons:

  • Isn’t CARB-compliant
  • Not as many accessories as similar generators
  • It doesn’t have an electric start

Standard Features:

  • Offers 3000 peak watts and a running wattage of 2600W.
  • Outlets: 4 x 120V 20A AC, 1 x 120V 30A AC lockable, 1 x 12V-5A DC, 1 x USB port, 1 x parallel port
  • Security features: low oil shut-off, spark arrestor, and overload protection.

What Others Think About the P3000

Users who have purchased a P3000 generator report that the unit is powerful enough to handle multiple appliances, easy to operate, and runs quietly.

Take a look at a few positive reviews from customers happy with their P3000 generator:

  • Lil Patriot, October 18, 2017
  • Sarah Smith, May 6, 2017
  • Louis LeBrun, September 7, 2017

Related Products

Here are a few alternatives to the P3000 so you can compare and contrast the features and specs. We selected the inverter generator sets with running power between 2200W and 3000W.

GP2500i: 2200/2500 Watts

Predator 3500: 3000/3500 Watts

Honda EU3000is: 2800/3000 Watts

  • Weight: 48, 99.2, 130 lbs
  • Noise: Unknown, 56, 50 dBA
  • Autonomy and Fuel Consumption: 1 Gal, 8 Hrs @ 25% load, 2.64 Gal, 11 hours @ 25% load, 3.4 Gal, 20 hours @ 25% load.
  • Fuel Efficiency: 0.125 GPH, 0.24 GPH, 0.17 GPH.
  • Price: $649, $929, $2399

Noise: All the selected generators have noise ratings in the range of 50 to 60 dBA, except for GP2500i, which does not have any published noise data. If noise emission is your main selecting criteria, you may go in for Honda EU3000is, albeit at a very high cost. In our opinion, 56 dBA and 58 dBA are decent options.

Fuel Efficiency: From the data on fuel efficiency, you can see that P3000 is very efficient with 0.15 GPH consumption at 25% load. Only GP25000i has better efficiency at 0.125GPH.

Fuel Consumption & Autonomy: All these generators have an onboard fuel tank with 1.0 to 3.4 US gallons capacity. This translates to a run time of 8 hours to 20 hours with a 25% load and a full tank. P3000 provides a run time of 10 hours which is on the low end. Honda EU3000iS is able to run for around 20 hours under similar conditions.

Weight: P3000 carries a dry weight of about 84 lbs, which is in the expected range for this power category. Generac units are lighter than P3000, with a dry weight of about 48 lbs. Predator 3500 has a weight of about 100 lbs.

Price: In terms of price, P3000E is comparable to most other similar generators. But it has been discontinued and is no longer available as a new unit.

Buying a Briggs and Stratton P3000 Generator

The P3000 generator from Briggs and Stratton is a great power backup for tailgating, camping, and other outdoor activities.

This portable generator offers good power output, plenty of outlets, and several useful features on its control panel. It is also impressively quiet to run and parallel compatible with other inverter generators.

If you are interested in the P3000 from Briggs and Stratton, click here for more information.

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