More backup generator discussion: Backing up well pump in a different structure

   / More backup generator discussion: Backing up well pump in a different structure #51  
Yup me either! Cost me 8,500 for my 245 foot well.
 
   / More backup generator discussion: Backing up well pump in a different structure #52  
Are you married to the idea of two separate meters? Another option is to just install a single 400a service, with 200a breakers to each house and a transfer switch on the main panel. That way both houses and the well have generator backup, and you only get a bill for one electrical service.

Works for me! Electricity in Ontario is so ridiculously expensive for things like delivery and the basic fee and debt retirement charge each month and A whole bunch other crap like that, that I would not want to have 2 meters on my property. Ask Dave. He will tell you.
 
   / More backup generator discussion: Backing up well pump in a different structure
  • Thread Starter
#53  
one other thing to consider, the 150 foot run between generator and original house. the voltage drop needed to carry the generators load will need pretty large wires. then you have to consider the fact that the NEC requires that an automatic standby generator that automatically switches over to a whole house switch be capable of supplying the load without shutting down. now youve just added 2 houses to the load calcs. good luck getting the largest air cooled genny (96 amps at 240 v) to power 2 houses and meet code. if you have to switch to liquid cooled or diesel, $$$$$$

Not going with whole house. Planning on using an automatic switch with selected loads assigned it (the ones that typically support between 8 and 16 circuits).
 
   / More backup generator discussion: Backing up well pump in a different structure
  • Thread Starter
#54  
Also a little off topic, curious to why are you burying your propane tank? Seems just to add cost and a bigger headache for maintenance. Is there no place to hide out of the way above ground?

Aesthetics. My wife has a background in design and is a full time artist. Life is much happier if I don't clutter the yard with ugly objects. :)
 
   / More backup generator discussion: Backing up well pump in a different structure
  • Thread Starter
#55  
not if there is a heater or lights in the well house. most well house panels ive seen have 120 circuits there also. if they are not [present, then yes only 3 wires would be needed.

The well house is an above ground manhole-caission type structure. I'll examine more closely the next time I go pry the cover off, but the circuits and breakers I see in the basement of the existing house indicate a three wire setup.

Looks a bit like this:

79709d1305068899-how-hide-above-ground-concrete-sewer-2.jpg
 
   / More backup generator discussion: Backing up well pump in a different structure #56  
Now I’m confused. Are some saying a Backup Gen can’t power more than one metered service? If your barn and house have two meters they can’t share a gen?

Why? Says who? What does the utility care as long as your disconnected from them?

Obviously powering from new house is simplest and cheapest. Just adequately size for voltage drop.
 
   / More backup generator discussion: Backing up well pump in a different structure #57  
Howdy,

Well water.. You can have multiple bladder pressure tanks. You could put 1,2,3,4 90 gallons bladder tanks at your new house and still have the bladder tank at the old house. The pump will simply fill it all up and shut off at pressure.

The problem I for see is the fact that power from another source is coming into the basement at the old house. When a person knows they just shut off the main breaker (old house)... and the well pump switch is still hot. Signs and labels don't work.

You could simply move the pump switch to the new house. Run the power from there to the well. Never going into the old house. The water lines remain and pressure bladder tanks all still work as needed. (I am thinking you have a standard submersible pump, with just a pump controller switch)

Well pressure bladders tanks of different sizes are used for different purposes. For a main well with multiple cattle waterers here I have 2 90 gallon pressure tanks.

Another option is a central farm distribution. 1 meter feeding the whole farm.
 
   / More backup generator discussion: Backing up well pump in a different structure #58  
I have a slightly different thought. Power from the new house/ generator but move the controls outside the old house. Then it's only 150' of wire and no mixed electrical systems.
 
   / More backup generator discussion: Backing up well pump in a different structure #59  
I haven't read all the replies but I agree, run the power from the generator to old house and install a transfer switch there as well.
 
   / More backup generator discussion: Backing up well pump in a different structure #60  
Ok went back through my code book and can find no issues with 1 circuit (the well pump) going to the other building. This can have power from both the utility and (with a properly installed gen and transfer switch) the gen as well.
NEC 2014 225.xx and 250.xx address the “separate building” and provide some exemptions for a single circuit.
NEC 2014 also addresses gens but the discussion is around proper grounding, neutrals and ensuring utility and gen power is isolated from each other- proper transfer switch.
NEC 2014
445.xx
702.xx

As mentioned early on in this thread by LueNY a properly labeled and installed single circuit from the new building back to the old building to power the well will be the easiest way to provide utility and gen power to that circuit.
 

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