Eastern Tools & Equipment TG1200 1,200 Watt 2 HP 2-Cycle Gas Powered Portable Generator (Non-CARB Compliant)

The TG1200 Portable Electric Generator sold by Amazon.com (from Eastern Tools) is inexpensive and this is reflected by the (lack of) quality of the product. I expected that. The problem was caused by the very poor quality of the packing. One dollar spent on packing material would likely have made this purchase a better experience.

For the money, it's a great generator. Packaging and shipping is the questionable part. Mine arrived with the bottom of the box nearly falling apart. Also, there's little to no protection for the spark plug sticking out. They should redesign the packaging or have the end user install the spark plug.

Mine started right up after fueling. There is a little measuring cup built into the gas tank cap, so you can put normal gas into the tank and then fill the cup (to the line) with oil and let it mix in the tank.

Initially, I didn't have any voltage (AC or DC) coming out while the generator was running. I noticed a wire and plug was loose behind the choke lever area. Once I plugged that loose wire in, I had voltage. I didn't have to disassemble anything to do this, just reached in with long-nosed pliers and pressed it in.

The first thing I noticed upon starting the generator was how quiet it is. Not as quiet as the 1000 or 2000 Honda, but not bad at all. You can hold a conversation while standing over it. It's quieter than the electric chainsaw or skill saw I plugged into it. With a 50ft extension cord, you can barely hear it running. I equate its sound level to an average small car's engine running at fast idle in the morning. You now its running, but it's not bad at all.

You have to screw the carrying handle onto the gas tank. It comes with two washers to put under the handle. Well, I didn't tighten those screws enough, because once I filled the gas tank and started carrying it around, gas seeped from around those two screws. Once I tightened them (really tight), it all sealed up and didn't leak. So, make sure you tighten those two handle screws really well.

The air filter is really easy to get at, which is nice. Also, the carb has a drain screw, which not all of the cheap generators have. Also, there's a fuel shutoff petcock valve, so I just turn that off and let it run out of fuel when I'm done with it.

Speaking of fuel, I am really impressed with how fuel efficient it is. I ran it for two long afternoons using my electric pole chainsaw (maybe four hours each day) and it only went through 3/4 of a gallon of gas.

Overall, it seems to be built really solid. The only exception is the one 120v electrical outlet. The plastic panel this is mounted to is not secured very well. If you do a lot of plugging and unplugging, I'd recommend a pigtail splitter to leave in place to reduce the wear and tear on the outlet. This is the only negative aspect I could find in the design.

Again, for the money, it's a great deal.

I received my TG 1200 one week after I ordered it. It came with slight damage to the exterior of the box, but luckly everything inside was undamaged....no broken spark plug or wires....

It would not start so I took out the spark plug and gave it a shot of ether cold start spray and replaced the plug. It fired briefly and then stopped. I then repeated the ether shot but this time openned the drain screw on the carberator. A few drops of fuel dripped out, so now I knew I had fuel going into the engine.

I choked the little engine and off it went and ran perfectly. I ran a small fan and electric light off the generator and everything seems to be working. I checked the voltage and it was approx. 130-140 volts A.C. and 14 volts D.C. I stopped the engine and let it cool. I then restarted it by simply choking it per instructions. Ran great....

So far it does everthing I expected from this little generator!!!!

I bought 2 generators from internet shopping recently one from Amazon.com.
The deal seems good to me but not when you actually received it .
First one was came with broken bottom supporter.
Second one came with broken fuel tank.
I had tried to exchange it but failed Amazon.com says I will find customer service button on return policy page. I tried many time to look for the button I could not find.
I do strongly recommand not to purchase from Amazon.com generators.
It is worth to visit store near you.
DO NOT PURCHASE FROM AMAZON.COM
DO NOT!!!!!!!!
YOU WILL BE END UP WITH HEADACHE AND MORE PROBLEM

Background: I had a Chinese clone of a Honda gen rated at 3000/3500 that i bought local in Houston from Pep Boys for $359 nearly 2 yrs ago. During hurricane Ike, we ran it for 10 days straight (stopping only to refuel every 12 hrs and 1 oil change), running the fridge, a few lights, fans, and big screen TV, AND... all that same stuff simultaneously in our neighbor's house once we threw a cord over the fence to him. I figured 1) i had more generator than i needed and 2) i had probably used up half the usable life of the one i had. I sold it, w/ full disclosure about operating hours, for $200 a week after our power was back on.

I ordered this small gen mostly on the favorable reviews. When it arrived (more/less on time), packaging looked good and no damage once i got it out. The AC outlet looks a bit flimsy, but it held the power cord in for my 30 min test run, so no biggie. I was getting worried after 10 pulls and no start, then re-assessed the choke: the legend is counter-intuitive, to say the least. Moved it all way closed, and fired right up and ran fine. Hooked up a hedge trimmer and trimmed my shrubs, about a 15 min job, and no probs. I shut it down & restarted it 3-4 times, and no probs.

I didnt attempt to find out if this will run a traditional residential refridgerator, or what all it could handle w/o tripping. I mainly wanted something to run at night to power fans, and/or perhaps a small window AC unit. This might be all the backup gen i need if i economize on what i run, and dont try to power the neighbor too. Seems like dirt cheap insurance to me. I will prob buy another 3000W gen and keep this for night-time use.