I want to purchase a generator for my home. The two appliances that use the most electricity are my dryer and my well pump. The dryer I do not have to use during a power outage, the well pump needs to be able to be run.
2007-12-28 04:46:11 · 1 answers · asked by forest_ranch_steve 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
My deep well pump requires about 27A startup current, and 6A while running, at 240VAC. This maxes out my 5500W generator at startup.
I wouldn't recommend anything smaller than a 5kW generator for anyone with a well pump. You will have extra capacity left over for other items such as fridge or freezer, microwave oven, lights, television, etc.
Read through my home generator page for other information.
http://members.rennlist.org/warren/generator.html
2007-12-29 03:57:09 · answer #1 · answered by Warren914 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Volts x amps = watts. I assume you mean 220 volt pump which is more correctly termed 230 volts in the USA. A 3/4 hp pump draws about 7 amps . 230 x 7 = 1610 watts. On a conventional motor you should figure amps x 3 to bring the motor up to operating speed. Therefore you need to be looking @ a generator capable of at least 5,000 watts surge just to run your pump.
There are many generators capable of 5,000+ watts continuous powered by 10 to 12 hp engines. I have run my home cautiously with such a generator and had no problems.
I have a 1/2hp well pump.
I drill water wells and install domestic pumps for a living and routinely run up to 1hp pumps with my generators for testing if no "line" power is available.
2007-12-28 05:14:35 · answer #2 · answered by palmrose2 2 · 5⤊ 0⤋
746 watts = 1 hp.
However that doesn't take into account efficiency and power factor.
So to give a better approximation use 1000 watts = 1 hp. This accounts for a power factor of .8 and an efficiency of .92.
So for a 3/4 hp motor you need about 750 watts (actually volt-amps) running.
You'll need a surge rating to start it though. This will be about 6 times the running power or 4500 watts.
2007-12-28 07:44:18 · answer #3 · answered by David B 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Well Pump Wattage
2016-11-12 08:56:44 · answer #4 · answered by jina 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you mean 220volt ? i use a 6500 watt , but think a larger one would work longer. there's a way to figure out the wattage multiply the volts by amperage, should give u the wattage
mine is a 1/2 hp well pump i have a 6500 gen it works on it,
plus it 110v,
also there rated by amps per hr, [how long it will put that power out, ]
2007-12-28 05:02:30 · answer #5 · answered by William B 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Just something to think about with generators is that you might want to look at one that runs off propane. Nothing worse than finding out your diesel has water in it when the power is out. Or the gas has turned to varnish.
Propane can be stored for 20 years and never go bad.
2007-12-28 18:01:04 · answer #6 · answered by mike b 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
What about refrigerator and heating?
A small 6hp generator would take care of what you mentioned. If there is a water storage tank you could just run it to refill the tank as needed. Save on gas to operate generator.
2007-12-28 05:03:57 · answer #7 · answered by Charley Horse 6 · 0⤊ 3⤋