Pulsar 1,200W Portable Gas-Powered Generator with Carrying Handle, PG1202S

The Pulsar generator arrived intact as described and started almost right out of the box on the 2nd pull. I am completely pleased, and would buy it again without hesitation. It is somewhat quieter than I expected. It appears to have a larger muffler, which helps the exhaust noise, but also has other noise from occasional misfires and noise from the engine casing itself that a muffler can't help with. Note that this generator is rated at 900 watts continuous, and 1200W for short duration. I tested it with a Kill-A-Watt meter and a 450 watt load. Under no load, the voltage was about 122V at 62 Hz, under 1/2 load (450W) it was 120V and about 60 Hz. This is acceptable performance. It is an attractive unit. The instructions are relatively terse, but mostly adequate. The only assembly required was mounting the handle with the 2 supplied screws using a standard phillips screwdriver. It comes with a 12V cable leading to alligator clips to charge a 12V battery. It also comes with 2 110V plugs, not sure why these would be included since the owner will already have plugs on whatever you want to run. It comes with a spark plug wrench. Gas/oil mixture is 40:1. There are no specs as to what 2-cycle oil should be used. I used the standard Briggs & Stratton 2-cycle oil. I also added Sta-Bil gas stabilizer to the mixture in the gas can to minimize gumming if the gas is not used right away. After running a few minutes, I stopped it and restarted the generator with no problem. The recoil starter pulls fairly easily, but the compression is high enough that the string does not pull super smooth, as on some lawnmowers made special for easy pulling. The recoil cord can get caught at the top of a stroke and kick back a bit, so don't hold on too tight. This is all normal for small engines. The owner's manual is available online from the Pulsar website. I read the manual before ordering the unit.

 Update June 9th 2018 (I give it 5 stars now), I've had this little gen for around 10 months now and it has never let me down, not once. I do make sure and cut the gas valve off each time I'm finished using it and let it run until the carburetor is empty (completely). I haven't had any problem starting this generator after it has set for over a month. Just make sure and use good gas (no ethanol unless you use a stabilizer in your gas ** just avoid ethanol in all 2-stroke engines***please*** you'll be glad you did) and always run the carburetor empty after each use. I recently (last weekend) had to use this generator to replace a broken hinge on the entrance gate to our property. It was sure nice being able to run this out of the back of my truck while it powered my electric tools. *** I received the Pulsar PG1202s 1200 watt 2-stroke generator on August 22, 2017. I bought this generator hoping that it would be an inexpensive power backup to our Renogy Solar Panels. First off, I paid $138 and change for this unit, but I took advantage of the Prime shipping and standard delivery (received about $6 off the purchase price for the delayed delivery option, which turned out not to be a delay after all!) The generator was packaged well with foam inserts within a retail box packaged in the Amazon box. Overall the quality looks to be really good. The finish is good, all instructions were well placed, written, and made sense. I added a little premium unleaded gas and 2 stroke engine oil to the tank at 50:1 ratio as recommended, switched the choke lever to choke, pulled the recoil starting rope a few times and the little generator started right up. I have ran this generator for about 6 hours now simply breaking it in. I applied a few light loads, a few heavy loads, and ran it some with no load and it performed well each time. Note; I did notice that the voltage fluctuated a lot at low rpm/load levels (my lights were dimming and getting bright). It's not real loud-depending on where you are standing and I really didn't notice much of a noise increase during heavy loads. Time will tell if it will last, but right now it seems like a very good product and an excellent price for backup power. Items I powered up with this generator. Drill press, large shop fan, band saw, bench grinder, angle grinder, radio, and 3 fluorescent lights. I ran all these at the same time, basically it powered my shop. However, it would not start my pancake compressor (13 amp) and I don't think you need to run anything to sensitive with this generator unless you clean up the (power) sine wave.

On the second pull of the recoil starting cord, the rope pulled right through the handle and went inside the machine. I had to take the tank and side cover off to get to it. It also pings a bit when running. And I made double sure to get the fuel/oil mixture correct. I will try a name brand spark plug to see if that makes a difference.It does however power multiple shop lights, 12 strings of christmas lights, a heavy duty drill, and scroll saw all at the same time with ease!Still worth the price.

This is an excellent little generator for the money. As long as you understand what you are buying, and you know how to properly maintain a 2-stroke, you'll be happy. I use this to power my boiler & circulation pumps during power outages, and to power small tools when too far from the house.It's a bit louder than the stated dB, but I was dubious to begin with, you won't find a "quiet" genny in this price range. Anyways, it still wasn't outside the range of expected volume. It's not a Honda EU1000i, after all.Outside of regular maintenance (don't store it full of fuel long-term), I've only replaced the spark plug and gas line in the past 2 years.The gas line was cheapo and it cracked at the bend where it connects to the tank valve. I purchased some Goodyear 1/4" fuel line (1/2" O.D., buy a couple of new clamps with it!) and swapped that out in 10 minutes. Picture attached for reference.Starts on 2nd or 3rd pull every time. All in all, it's a nice little machine.

For the price this did very well. I first experience with a generator and ran great till fuel ran out and refilled. Probably closer to 4 houra not 8.I just went through Hurricane Irma in Tampa area. We had power throughout storm, but went off after. Ran fridge, electronics charge and tv all day while power out.

Handle is put together badly. Screws not holding well

Unbelievable! I should have paid attention to the 22% one start reviews before buying this cheap product.

Great for the price! Starts right up every time and produced addiquit power for most use.

Works very well. Quiet & easy starting.

Just got it today after allot of BS the past few days with USPS (Don't use them as shipping option).

Don't buy it mine won't start 25-30 pulls took off pull cord cover have to start with my cordless drill POS I can't even sale it for 40 bucks now , DONT BUY JUNK FROM CHINA...

Great little generator, started up first time on each use. Friends borror the item to use and purchase the same one. We received the generator one day before storm hit us.

Good little unit, ran for 7-8 hours before refueling, running my mini fridge while camping, also charges 12v batteries but slowly.

thank you very much!

Powerful, for its size, and l really didn't put it to the test like storm outages, runs well, quiet