Cheap Generator

[jinman]

I'm glad I checked the breaker box - it's a 20A / 240v power for the well pump. Technically that's 4800 Watts maximum, although I have to expect that there is a fair amount of headroom on that circuit. I think 5kW is not a problem, but 5kW / 240V may be the challenge.

Without going down into the well, I suspect the best way to get a true power requirement reading is to borrow a power quality meter from work and log the inrush current when the well pump kicks on.

David

David, I think you should revise your budget for a generator. You need one that will run your water pump, septic pump or aerator, and have a spare circuit for a refrigerator or freezer. I have two 10,000 watt portable generators with electric start that I bought from Sam's. Here are the specs and be sure to read the reviews. You'll not find a better deal for a high-wattage generator with all these features. These are brand new generators with a warranty. You won't get that buying used.

Edit: My link doesn't seem to be working correctly. Try this:
http://www.samsclub.com/sams/gentro...-with-electric-start/191299.ip?navAction=push

 

[Carl_NH]

I'm glad I checked the breaker box - it's a 20A / 240v power for the well pump. Technically that's 4800 Watts maximum, although I have to expect that there is a fair amount of headroom on that circuit. I think 5kW is not a problem, but 5kW / 240V may be the challenge.

Without going down into the well, I suspect the best way to get a true power requirement reading is to borrow a power quality meter from work and log the inrush current when the well pump kicks on.

David

What's your well depth? I would be surprised if it's more than 300' in central PA so a 3/4 or 1 HP in pump would be "normal" and most well drillers put the depth and pump size on the box in the basement or wherever your pump tank located.

The 5500 watt running generator will create 25 amps @ 220 volts and most will a have 7000 watt starting current.

Per my earlier post, we have a 1.5 HP submersible and ran it on a 5700 W/7500W starting generator.

Carl

 

[Clint S]

I have a 5500/8500 genny and it can run my 220 pump without an issue. In fact it can run the pump and the boiler (used for hot water) and barely dims the lights at start up only. I just make sure nothing else big will come on when taking a shower (fridge or freezer). I find it enough to run the basics and keep my life comfortable when needed.

 

[tractchores]

I was running a well pump (240v), septic pump and a bunch of misc lights and a fridge on a 3500w generator for years. The septic pump is something that you don't need to run often, it's usually 120v, but you should be able to check. In most cases when a septic pump is in use code requires the holding chamber to hold ~7 days of liquid in case of power outages... so you only need to operate it once in a while and can turn it manually on and everything off. In our case we had a 10 day power outage and did not hit capacity on the pump chamber last year. Price wise you'll have to search hard to find something in that budget. Certain areas are much better, around here used generators still get a premium because of all the storms and limited inventory, though that's subsiding now. Best time to buy a generator is after a power outage event when folks are selling generators they bought and used for a week....

 

[dgeesaman]

David, I think you should revise your budget for a generator. You need one that will run your water pump, septic pump or aerator, and have a spare circuit for a refrigerator or freezer.

Point noted. Obviously if no $300 generator has enough capacity for my needs there's no point in buying it. Waiting to save more would be the only option. Depending on the total calculated demand it's possible I can do it on $300. I have several recommendations here and I'm sure the next size up/down would be similarly good.

I may have access to one of the Fluke power quality meters from work. If I can actually measure the inrush and loaded consumption of the well pump and the other consumers, I doubt the data could be any better. Any electricians agree/disagree on that, or is it wiser to rely on nameplate numbers? (I don't have long wiring runs to drop voltage and drive up current draws)

I have the tech specs for the septic pump somewhere. The whole septic system is brand new (installed by seller last spring) so it should be designed to modern specs for my area. If we have an extended outage it would be easy enough to run it manually every few days.

David

 

[tractchores]

I believe you can calculate power needed for starting an electric motor if you know the current and voltage or wattage. It's something like 1.5x, if you have the specs on the well pump then you should be able to figure it out without having to hook up a meter. The septic pump likely has stats right on the box where the alarm is (at least mine does), there are usually 2 pumps that alternate running and don't ever run together depending on the system, so power specs for 1 is all you need.

 

[hr3]

Good place to start is here... Generac Power Systems - Generator Sizer

 

[dave1949]

In a risk/reward analysis, you may be better off waiting a few months until you could increase your gen. budget if you can't score a good deal somewhere.

In any case, along with the generator, you need to think about how you get the gen. power to to your circuits.

 

[Turbys_1700]

Couple years ago I had to replace a generator that was stolen...
I got a Northern Tool closeout when they were changing over to anther labeled brand...
I got a 7.5K continuous with 10K surge for $500...
Yep it's Chinese...
Yep, it runs good and serves my purpose...
I can run everything I need to run in the house...
It will run start my well pump also but I make sure that everything else is turned off in the house...

 

[RalphVa]

Those gasoline generators will run you out of house and home in supplying fuel for them. I'd get a diesel generator. You can get several different air cooled ones that'll use way less fuel than a gasoline one. Even for our 4 kw unit, I had to keep several containers of fuel around because it used 1/2 gallon/hr. The ones other people are talking about (10 kw ones) would burn in excess of 1 gallon/hr. A diesel would use 1/3 to 1/2 less. Generally, a carbed gasoline engine will burn 50% more than a diesel engine. A lot safer to keep some diesel fuel around than to have gasoline containers.

Ralph