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Pulsar PG1202S - 850/1200W Portable Generator

The Pulsar PG1202S is a compact and lightweight open frame generator with a rated wattage of 850 W and a starting wattage of 1,200 W. (Read full specs)

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Pulsar PG1202S
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Price history for the Pulsar PG1202S
Highest Price
$176.00
Lowest Price
$122.00
Current Price
$175.99

Description

This handy, two-cycle generator provides enough portable power for those jobs around the house or when you are hunting, fishing, camping, tailgating or even out on a boat and does so without breaking your piggy bank. With 1200 peak watts of power, the PG1202S has two 120V and one 12V outlet and can operate for up to 8.5 hours on just 1.2 gallons of fuel mix with a quiet mode system that creates only 65 dB of noise.

Zoom on the Pulsar PG1202S

In summary, the Pulsar PG1202S is a compact and lightweight portable generator especially useful for:

  • Camping and tailgating hobbyists looking for a portable power source
  • Handcrafting enthusiasts who wish to work on-the-go

In the forthcoming sections, you'll delve into its power characteristics, the various outlets it offers, its overall portability, and the additional features it boasts.

Power & Run Time

The Pulsar PG1202S in use

The Pulsar PG1202S

The Pulsar PG1202S's design includes a gasoline-fueled 72 cc (2.2 hp) Ducar 2-stroke engine. With a 120V output, it gives a running wattage of 850W and also a peak wattage of 1,200W.

Rated for 65 dBA (just slightly more noisy than an office), the generator's starting mechanism relies on a classic hand-operated recoil starting mechanism.

The PG1202S boasts a fuel tank capable of holding 1.1 gallon, allowing it to run continuously for around 8.5 hours at 50% load (with fuel usage averaging around 0.13 gallons per hour).

Outlets

The control panel features the upcoming 2 AC outlets:

Duplex 120V 20A (5-20R)

Furthermore, it has 1 DC outlet: there's a 12V 8A receptacle providing easy battery charging capabilities.

Portability

With its L14.6 x W12.4 x H12.4 in dimensions, the open frame structure of the Pulsar PG1202S provides stability, simplified maintenance access to components, and better air cooling than enclosed units. The featured design is ideal for the outdoors and all tough environments.

The PG1202S boasts a weight of merely 37.5 lbs, solidifying its reputation as a lightweight, easily transportable generator. As it can be moved by a single person without much effort, the generator and its power can be enjoyed on-the-go. Further convenience is provided by its handle, as it allows you to carry it with great ease.

Good to know: This unit ranks 3rd in our list of the 10 smallest portable generators.

Features

Panel of the Pulsar PG1202S

The PG1202S's control panel

The device’s light indicator will display if the generator is ready.

From a security point of view, the generator is equipped with an overload protection (circuit breaker), giving you a peace of mind during use.

Along the basic documentation and an owner's manual (opens in a new tab), useful for starting the generator right away, the Pulsar PG1202S's package also includes these accessories: battery charging cables and tool kit.

Product Videos

The Pulsar PG1202S versus other generators

The following charts are provided to give you an idea of how some of the key specs of the Pulsar PG1202S compare to generators of similar power (between 500 and 1500 W).

  • Since the generator weighs in at a dry weight of 37.5 lbs, the Pulsar PG1202S belongs in the expected weight range for devices which can produce between 500 and 1500 rated watts. In terms of weight, one of the champions in their power range is the Sportsman GEN1000i, standing at just 20.3 lbs.
  • In comparison to generators with a similar running wattage, this generator's lowest emitted noise of 65 dBA can be considered noisy. If noise emissions are important to you, one of the least noisy generators of this power range is the Honda EU1000i with only 42 dBA.
  • At a 50% load, the PG1202S's around 8.5 hours of runtime on a full tank fall within the average autonomy range for similarly powerful generators. If concerned with autonomy, one of the products of a comparable power output, which offers the highest run time, is the Sportsman GEN2000-SS, boasting with around 11 hours.
  • Run time is crucial, but it heavily relies on the fuel tank's capacity. Thus, considering fuel efficiency alongside is essential. With an estimated gasoline consumption of 0.13 GPH (gallon per hour) at 50% load, this generator is among the more fuel-efficient of the products in the above-mentioned wattage range. If you are concerned with gasoline efficiency, having a fuel consumption of just 0.09 GPH, the Pulsar PGD16iSCO is a device you could look out for.

Price comparison

As you can see from these interactive charts, when compared to other 500-1500W generators, the Pulsar PG1202S is on the cheap side of the price range.

It can therefore be a really good buy if you're looking to acquire a budget generator.

The bottom line

STRENGTHS:
  • Inexpensive
  • Fuel efficient
AVERAGE SPECS:
  • Decent weight (37.5 lbs)
  • Decent run time
WEAKNESSES:
  • No data center
  • Gas/oil mix required (2-cycle engine)
  • 1-year warranty
  • On the noisy side (65 dBA)

Do you own the Pulsar PG1202S and agree (or disagree) with these strengths and weaknesses?

Let us know and write your own review.

Features and Specifications

General
InverterNo
Parallel capableNo
RV readyNo
FuelGasoline
Engine72 cc Ducar 2-stroke
Starting systemRecoil
Warranty1 year
Power
VoltageAC: 120V 60 Hz, DC: 12V
Running watts850 W
Starting watts1,200 W
Running amps7.1 amps
Peak amps10 amps
Run time @50% load8.5 h
Run time @25% loadUnknown
Features
GFCI outletsNo
Covered outletsNo
Automatic Voltage RegulationNo
AC outlets1x Duplex 120V 20A (5-20R)
DC outlets1x 12V 8A receptacle
Data centerNo
IndicatorsOutput ready
Fuel tank1.1 gal
Fuel gaugeNo
Misc
Weight37.5 lbs
Approx. dimensions (L x W x H)14.6 x 12.4 x 12.4 in
Noise (lower limit)65 dBA
THDUnknown
ComplianceCARB, EPA
SecurityOverload protection
Spark arrestorNo
NeutralFloating
Accessories includedTool kit and battery charging cables
Other model numbersPG1202SA
UPC814726026530

We've taken extra care to research and verify each of the specifications above. That said, occasional mistakes or omissions are still possible. If you spot any missing or inaccurate information, feel free to suggest a correction so we can address it.

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About Pulsar

Pulsar is a brand registered under the Pulsar Products inc., based in California, USA. The company offers a decent choice of air compressors, pressure washers and of course, generators – which range from 1,2 kW to 10 kW and include dual fuel and RV-Ready designs. Pulsar has several facilities scattered throughout the US, including two distribution centers – one in California and second in Illinois. However, the production of their products seems to be outsourced overseas, to the continent of Asia.

Warranty Information

The Pulsar PG1202S is covered under a warranty for up to 1 year. This warranty may be limited and may not cover all parts of the generator.
For more information about the warranty of Pulsar generators, please contact the Pulsar Customer Support: 1-866-591-8921.

Questions & Answers

What can it power?
Examples of items that can be simultaneously powered.
The examples below are based on a maximum load of 80% and estimated wattages. For a more accurate estimation, use our generator size calculator.
ItemRunning WattsStarting Watts
At homeRefrigerator (energy star)1921192
Total192 W1192 W
For campingRV refrigerator180600
Blender400850
Bug zapper8080
Total660 W1110 W
For workDrill600900
Total600 W900 W
How many amps does the 12v output. (Asked May 08, 2023)

The 12V output provides a current of up to 8A.

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