Backup Generator size

[Highbeam]

Knotbored: As long as you have access to the wires going to your well you can install a plug and recepticle anywhere that is weather protected and convenient. Just a mle and female plug rated for the same amperage that the circuit breaker is that feeds the well. Then make a cord, two more plugs and some adequate wire, that will allow you to "plug" your well into the generator. Normal operation the well is "plugged" into the grid plug and during a power outage you can plug the well into the generator.

You can buy all of the needed plugs and cord from the home depot. I made a setup like this to power my welder. Remember that the well is just an appliance on the end of a wire.

 

[ultrarunner]

With a little planning, you should be able to do just fine with a smaller unit between 5 to 8 kw.

Part of my job is overseeing the Hospital Emergency Power System. Onan/Cummings make some rugged units and their transfer switches are first rate and they are also priced accordingly.

For Reliability and reduced maintenance, I recommend going with natural gas or propane if it is easily available. You will not have to worry about the fuel going stale as with Diesel of Gasoline.

Another thing is buy the quietest unit you can within your budget. MQ power makes a very quiet 7kw yamar diesel that is wisperized. Nothing like a generator that sounds like you are mowing your lawn at 2 am to make the neighbors happy...

The Hospital Standard for many years required weekly generator testing under load. Recently, in the SF Bay Area, Hospitals with Diesel Generators are no longer able to load test weekly and are now limited to bi-weekly testing.

It is kind of ironic that the local Safeway Supermarket can run refrigerator tractor trailers day and night and we are limited to 20 hours per year for testing and maintenance.

If natural gas or propane is available, you might consider changing out the water heater to reduce your electrical load and I know of one person that installed a two burner jen-air sytle gas cook top in addition to his existing electric range.

Most folks concentrate on well power, if you have one, refrigeration, furnace blower motor, along with selected lighting and convenience outlets.