GATE Pulsar S HPA Engine without ETU

The GATE Pulsar S is a compact HPA engine with one solenoid valve and open-bolt operation, fitted in the gearbox in place of the cylinder, piston and cylinder head. This version is supplied without ETU/FCU, so the engine must be controlled by an HPA-compatible GATE control unit – the manufacturer recommends the TITAN II Bluetooth EXPERT for V2 gearboxes, and the ASTER II Bluetooth can also be used.

The Pulsar S is GATE's simplest and most affordable HPA engine and is aimed at fast CQB builds and speedsoft, where short reaction time and high rate of fire matter most. The price of the simple design is the demand it places on the replica: with only one valve, the gearbox must be very precisely aligned with the hop-up chamber to give consistent accuracy. If you have a replica that already sits well on axis, the Pulsar S is a straightforward route to HPA.

Benefits of the Pulsar S

What sets the engine apart:

• One valve, few parts: The simple open-bolt design makes the engine easy to strip and service – there is no tappet plate or extra valve to keep track of, as on a dual-valve engine.
• High rate of fire: GATE quotes 70 RPS and more with an efficient magazine, whereas the Pulsar H and Pulsar D are around 40 RPS. That makes the Pulsar S an obvious choice for speedsoft and CQB.
• Stabilised nozzle: The dedicated nozzle is extra stabilised to give consistent velocity and avoid mid-cap problems. The nozzle length corresponds to a 21.25–21.40 mm AEG nozzle (M4/M16); nozzles for AK and SR25 are available separately.
• Extremely compact: At 88 × 25.4 mm and 75 g, the Pulsar S is among the smallest HPA engines on the market, leaving room in custom builds and tight gearboxes.
• Air economy: Approx. 1 PSI per shot at 90 PSI with a 0.8 l/300 bar tank, at an operating pressure of 60–140 PSI.

Maintenance and safety

• Installing an HPA engine requires experience: the gearbox must be emptied, the engine placed fully forward against the front wall of the gearbox, and wires and air line routed without being pinched. We are happy to fit and set it up in our workshop in Aulum, Denmark. Check the alignment with the nozzle in the forward position and a loaded magazine inserted.
• Only use high-pressure air via a regulator, and keep the operating pressure within 60–140 PSI (approx. 4.1–9.7 bar) – higher pressure can damage the engine. GATE recommends, for example, PolarStar MRS, Redline SFR or Wolverine STORM as regulators. The ETU and valve are powered by a small 7.4 V battery.
• The purple Pulsar S nozzle must not be used with a stabilising sleeve in the hop-up chamber; the gold nozzle may require a sleeve in case of mid-cap problems. The air line has a 6 mm outer diameter and M5×0.8 thread in the engine. A QD fitting (US/EU) is not included and must be bought for your system.
• GATE advises against silicone buckings; Madbull Blue, TNT Black with nub or Maple Leaf Mr. Hop (rubber) are good starting points. Clean the engine preventively about every six months or in case of malfunctions. The solenoid valve seals are delicate, so only wipe the valve gently – and avoid grease on the flat rear face of the nozzle and at the bottom of the cylinder, as it can stop the nozzle moving.