Battle of the Generators: Westinghouse WGen9500TFc Takes on Pulsar G12KBN-SG

Overview of Westinghouse WGen9500TFc

The Westinghouse WGen9500TFc is a highly versatile, portable generator from Westinghouse Outdoor Power Equipment. It is a tri-fuel home backup generator, able to run on gasoline, propane, and natural gas. This generator is designed for residential use and is CARB compliant.

Brand Westinghouse Outdoor Power Equipment
Wattage 12500 watts
Fuel Type Electric
Power Source Fuel Powered
Recommended Uses For Product Residential
Item Weight 208.34 Pounds
Voltage 240 Volts
Output Wattage 12500 Watts
Price $1,082.09

Special Features:

  • Electric Start
  • Super Quiet
  • Low Oil Shutdown
  • Muffler
  • Hour Meter
  • Tri-Fuel
  • Fuel Gauge
  • Digital Display
  • Portable
  • Foldable Handle
  • Overload Protection
  • Automatic Voltage Regulation
  • Remote Start
  • CO Sensor

The generator boasts a peak wattage of 12500 watts and a running wattage of 9500 watts for gasoline, 11200 peak watts and 8500 running watts for propane, and 9500 peak watts and 7500 running watts for natural gas. It comes with a remote start key fob, a 12V battery charger, oil, an oil funnel, a tool kit, and a user’s manual for easy setup. It also includes a propane regulator/hose and a battery float charger.

Its safety features include a low oil and carbon monoxide shutdown, and all outlets come with rubber covers. It has a digital hour meter and a fuel gauge on a 6.6-gallon fuel tank. It is powered by a heavy-duty 457cc Westinghouse 4-stroke OHV engine. This engine has a long-lasting cast iron sleeve for durability. The generator is backed by a 3-year limited service, labor, and parts coverage.

Overview of Pulsar G12KBN-SG

The Pulsar G12KBN-SG is a heavy-duty, portable dual fuel generator by Pulsar. This generator offers a versatile fuel option, allowing you to choose between gasoline and LPG. This makes it particularly useful in emergency situations or natural disasters as LPG may be more readily available and easy to store. This generator is designed for residential use and is CARB compliant.

Brand Pulsar
Wattage 12000 watts
Fuel Type Electric
Power Source Fuel Powered
Recommended Uses For Product Residential
Item Weight 209 Pounds
Voltage 120240 Volts
Output Wattage 12000 Watts
Price $899.99

Special Features:

  • Electric Start
  • Dual Fuel (Gasoline & LPG)
  • Transfer Switch & RV Ready

The Pulsar G12KBN-SG boasts a peak wattage of 12000 watts and a rated wattage of 9500 watts when running on gasoline, and 10800 peak watts and 8550 rated watts when running on LPG. Its 457cc, single cylinder, 4-stroke, air cooled, OHV engine with electric start is protected by a durable powder-coated frame.

The generatorโ€™s 8-gallon fuel tank provides up to 12 hours of continuous operation at half load when running on gasoline. It has multiple power outlets including four 120V 20A AC outlets, one 120V/240V 30A twist-lock outlet, one 120V/240V 50A outlet, and one 12V DC output, providing ample space for powering appliances, tools, and other devices.

It is available in a sleek Space Gray color, and despite its heavy-duty power, it weighs in at 209 pounds, making it a considerable option for residential use.

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Summary Table of Generator Specs

Specifications Westinghouse WGen9500TFc Pulsar G12KBN-SG
Brand Westinghouse Outdoor Power Equipment Pulsar
Peak Wattage 12500 watts (Gasoline) 12000 watts (Gasoline)
Running Wattage 9500 watts (Gasoline) 9500 watts (Gasoline)
Fuel Source Tri-Fuel (Gasoline, Propane, Natural Gas) Dual Fuel (Gasoline & LPG)
Power Source Fuel Powered Fuel Powered
Item Weight 208.34 Pounds 209 Pounds
Fuel Tank Capacity 6.6 Gallons 8 Gallons
Run Time at Half Load Up to 12 hours Up to 12 hours
Voltage 240 Volts 120240 Volts
Special Features Electric Start, Super Quiet, Low Oil Shutdown, Muffler, Hour Meter, Tri-Fuel, Fuel Gauge, Digital Display, Portable, Foldable Handle, Overload Protection, Automatic Voltage Regulation, Remote Start, CO Sensor Electric Start, Dual Fuel (Gasoline & LPG), Transfer Switch & RV Ready
Price $1,082.09 $899.99

User reviews of Westinghouse WGen9500TFc

Summary of Positive Reviews for Westinghouse WGen9500TFc

  • Users appreciate the tri-fuel feature of the generator, allowing them to use gasoline, propane or natural gas, giving them flexibility and ensuring they won’t run out of fuel.
  • The generator is praised for its power, being capable of handling whole house loads, including multiple refrigerators, freezers, and air conditioning units.
  • Buyers commend the inclusion of necessary accessories such as hoses for natural gas and propane, a funnel for oil, and a tool kit.
  • The noise level of the generator is considered acceptable and sometimes 50% lower than previous units users had.
  • The detailed and easy-to-understand manual is a bonus, aiding the set-up and use of the generator.
  • The remote starter feature is appreciated for its convenience, especially during inclement weather.
  • The generator’s packaging and delivery were handled well, with products arriving undamaged and on time.
  • The generator has been described as an affordable alternative to whole home standby units.
  • Users appreciate the built-in CO sensor for safety purposes, which automatically shuts down the generator if elevated levels of CO are detected.
  • The generator is easy to assemble, start, and use, with many users stating it started on the first attempt.

Critical User Reviews of Westinghouse WGen9500TFc

  • The product had a different brand of circuit breaker for 30 amp than advertised in photos or other breakers on the control panel, indicating false advertising or inconsistency in product assembly.
  • The support bar was found dented upon arrival, suggesting it was mishandled prior to packaging as there was no visible damage to the shipping box.
  • One potential customer faced significant challenges trying to obtain necessary information about the product (BTU requirements), with several communication channels proving unhelpful.
  • Long waiting times for customer service via phone call and unresponsiveness to email inquiries were noted, indicating poor customer service, which discouraged a potential purchase.

User reviews of Pulsar G12KBN-SG

Positive User Reviews Summary for Pulsar G12KBN-SG

  • Users appreciated the reliability and capability of the Pulsar G12KBN-SG during power outages, with one user noting it powered their camper comfortably during a period without grid power.
  • The generator was praised for its ability to power entire homes and various appliances including AC units, refrigerators, freezers, televisions, and more. It seems to handle heavy loads without any noticeable change in performance.
  • Several reviews highlight the long run-time on a single fuel load, with one user reporting approximately 12 hours of continuous use. Another user mentioned it ran for 16 hours before needing a refuel.
  • Users found the generator to be quieter than expected, comparing favorably to other generators they have used. Even though some users acknowledged it is louder than some competitors, they were generally satisfied with the noise level.
  • The Pulsar G12KBN-SG received praise for its dual fuel flexibility (gasoline or propane), which users found to be a useful feature.
  • One user reported good customer service from Pulsar when they encountered an issue with their unit.
  • Overall, users found the unit to be easy to assemble and start. They also appreciated the straightforward design of the generator, without unnecessary additional features.

Summary of Critical User Reviews for Pulsar G12KBN-SG

  • Many users have complained about the poor customer service of the company, with some experiencing difficulties in getting replacements for faulty units.
  • Some customers reported that the generator backfired upon first use, causing potential safety issues.
  • There are complaints about a persistent propane smell while the generator is in use, indicating possible internal leakages, coupled with lack of support in resolving the issue.
  • The generator is advertised with an electric start, but some users have encountered only a manual start, implying a misrepresentation of features.
  • While the generator is suitable for worksite use, it is deemed too loud for home use, causing disturbances. The voltage output was also reported to be unstable, causing flickering lights and restarting of devices.
  • Some users reported the generator working fine initially but then stalling and requiring frequent restarts.
  • Quality control issues have been noted, with some generators arriving with damaged parts, like bent air filters and crankcases.
  • There are also reports of the generator failing to produce power after short periods of use, despite the engine running properly.
  • Lastly, users have complained about the misleading noise level. The product is advertised as producing around 70 decibels of sound, but several users have claimed that it’s much louder, comparing it to the noise of a lawn mower or even a motorcycle.
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Pros and Cons of the compared products

Pros and Cons of Westinghouse WGen9500TFc

Pros

Pros
The generator has a tri-fuel feature, providing flexibility with the use of gasoline, propane, or natural gas, and ensuring fuel availability.
Its power capacity is noteworthy and can handle whole house loads, including multiple refrigerators, freezers, and air conditioning units.
It comes with necessary accessories such as hoses for natural gas and propane, a funnel for oil, and a tool kit.
The noise level of the generator is considered acceptable and sometimes 50% lower than previous units users had.
It comes with a detailed and easy-to-understand manual that aids in the set-up and use of the generator.
The remote starter feature is appreciated for its convenience, especially during inclement weather.
Users have praised the generator’s packaging and delivery, noting that products arrived undamaged and on time.
It is an affordable alternative to whole home standby units.
The built-in CO sensor for safety purposes, which automatically shuts down the generator if elevated levels of CO are detected, is a major plus point.
The generator is easy to assemble, start, and use, with many users stating it started on the first attempt.

Cons

Cons
The product had a different brand of circuit breaker for 30 amp than advertised in photos or other breakers on the control panel, indicating false advertising or inconsistency in product assembly.
The support bar was found dented upon arrival, suggesting mishandling prior to packaging as there was no visible damage to the shipping box.
One potential customer faced significant challenges trying to obtain necessary information about the product (BTU requirements), with several communication channels proving unhelpful.
Long waiting times for customer service via phone call and unresponsiveness to email inquiries were noted, indicating poor customer service, which discouraged a potential purchase.

Pros and Cons of Pulsar G12KBN-SG

Pros

Pros
Users appreciated the reliability and capability of the Pulsar G12KBN-SG during power outages, including powering campers comfortably during periods without grid power.
It has the ability to power entire homes and various appliances including AC units, refrigerators, freezers, televisions, and more, handling heavy loads without any noticeable change in performance.
The generator has a long run-time on a single fuel load, with reports of approximately 12 to 16 hours of continuous use.
Users found the generator to be quieter than expected, comparing favorably to other generators they have used.
The Pulsar G12KBN-SG received praise for its dual fuel flexibility (gasoline or propane), which users found to be a useful feature.
One user reported good customer service from Pulsar when they encountered an issue with their unit.
Overall, users found the unit to be easy to assemble and start, with a straightforward design without unnecessary additional features.

Cons

Cons
Many users have complained about the poor customer service of the company, with difficulties in getting replacements for faulty units.
There were reports of the generator backfiring upon first use, causing potential safety issues.
Some users complained about a persistent propane smell while the generator is in use, implying possible internal leakages, coupled with a lack of support in resolving the issue.
The generator is advertised with an electric start, but some users have encountered only a manual start, implying a misrepresentation of features.
While the generator is suitable for worksite use, it is deemed too loud for home use, causing disturbances. Unstable voltage output was also reported, causing flickering lights and restarting of devices.
Some users reported the generator working fine initially but then stalling and requiring frequent restarts.
Quality control issues were noted, with some generators arriving with damaged parts, like bent air filters and crankcases.
Some reports indicate the generator failing to produce power after short periods of use, despite the engine running properly.
Users have complained about the misleading noise level. The product is advertised as producing around 70 decibels of sound, but it’s reportedly much louder, comparable to the noise of a lawn mower or a motorcycle.

Conclusion

In conclusion, both the Westinghouse WGen9500TFc and Pulsar G12KBN-SG generators are reliable, high-performance options for residential use. The choice between the two largely depends on individual needs and preferences. If you require a tri-fuel option with a variety of special features, the Westinghouse WGen9500TFc may be the right choice for you. If a dual fuel option with a larger fuel tank capacity suits your needs better, then the Pulsar G12KBN-SG is a great choice. Always consider your specific power needs, fuel availability, and budget before making a final decision.