Watts needed for generator to run a 1/2 HP sump pump?

[Deere Dude]

I run 2 submersible sump pumps at the same time, 1/3 HP each with my 3200 watt generator with no problems. I use them to fill tanks from a pond. 1/2 HP won't even slow it down even if starting under pressure.

 

[sixdogs]

I run 2 submersible sump pumps at the same time, 1/3 HP each with my 3200 watt generator with no problems. I use them to fill tanks from a pond. 1/2 HP won't even slow it down even if starting under pressure.

Do the two of them ever start at the same time? Is that the Honda generator?

 

[ponytug]

@sixdogs, Since there are substantial variations in starting draw amongst different motors/manufacturers, and especially with different loads (in this case the back pressure from the depth of the well and the house plumbing), and in the generator winding and overload control circuits, can I suggest that you borrow or rent a generator of the size/type you want to use to see if it meets your needs?

It just seems to me that once the discussion moves beyond "is it possible, at some point for one time?", the devil is going to be in the details, as above, and as well as other factors such as whether you have adjusted your generator to get the right voltage and frequency at the well pump.

I know enough cases where someone did manage to start a well pump a few times on their generator, only to burn out the generator windings after a half a dozen or perhaps twenty starts, so to me it is a horses for courses thing. Do you want to have this new generator start the well pump a couple of times, or do you want to be able to rely on it? What would be your backup if the generator that you are thinking of buying fails?

Just my $0.02... Good luck!

Peter

 

[sixdogs]

@sixdogs, Since there are substantial variations in starting draw amongst different motors/manufacturers, and especially with different loads (in this case the back pressure from the depth of the well and the house plumbing), and in the generator winding and overload control circuits, can I suggest that you borrow or rent a generator of the size/type you want to use to see if it meets your needs?

It just seems to me that once the discussion moves beyond "is it possible, at some point for one time?", the devil is going to be in the details, as above, and as well as other factors such as whether you have adjusted your generator to get the right voltage and frequency at the well pump.

I know enough cases where someone did manage to start a well pump a few times on their generator, only to burn out the generator windings after a half a dozen or perhaps twenty starts, so to me it is a horses for courses thing. Do you want to have this new generator start the well pump a couple of times, or do you want to be able to rely on it? What would be your backup if the generator that you are thinking of buying fails?

Just my $0.02... Good luck!

Peter

I want to rely on it to cover temporary and unexpected power loss when I don't want to fool with the bigger generator. I also don't want to burn the gen out, having done that years before.

I don't know where to borrow one but I'll look around and on Monday will call the maker of my sump pump just to see if they can offer any numbers. Thank you.

 

[Deere Dude]

Do the two of them ever start at the same time? Is that the Honda generator?

I have 2 submersible pumps in a pond in a couple feet into the water. When I ran them to pump water into tanks for watering our garden I would just plug them into the 110 port on the generator and switch on the 17 amp circuit breaker and they take right off. It is a 3200 watt John Deere generator maybe 30-40 years old. Valves were open at start-up.