mechanical engineers only
2007-03-09 15:45:44 · 4 answers · asked by ravenshayne 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Boats & Boating
A 150kVA generator would not have any problem with a 5hp motor. Your numbers can not be correct.
Under normal power, measure the operating and startup current requirements for the pump. Compare to the ratings on your generator.
My house uses a deep well pump for domestic water. At 240VAC, its startup current is 27A and operating current is 6A.
Another thing you may want to try is reducing back pressure on the pump during startup. Turn off AC to the pump and open the taps to bring pressure to zero. Turn back on the power and the pump may start more easily.
2007-03-09 22:22:36 · answer #1 · answered by Warren914 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The pump runs on about 4 kva, During starting it probably draws about 8-16 kva (locked-rotor draw). Both those numbers should be on the pump's nametag so check that. Five HP does sound like a honking big pump. You could drain a swamp not just a basement with it. If you are reading the generator rating correctly it should be able to start that pump easily. That sounds like a really big generator however (whole-house size). Are you sure it is not 15kva? That would make it a little tighter.
If there is a way to offload the motor from pumping while it starts that might cure the problem. After it starts it will draw about 4 kva and that should be a cinch for the generator.
2007-03-09 15:53:46 · answer #2 · answered by Rich Z 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not suprised! 5 HP will draw a huge amount of electrical power. 150 KVA??? Don't you really mean 1,500 watt? or 150 VA?
2007-03-09 15:55:36 · answer #3 · answered by afreshpath_admin 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
5 horses??
2007-03-09 15:48:18 · answer #4 · answered by Steve Jobs 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋