What type of Generator do you own ?

[moosensquirrel]

A 1hp pump at 120v will pull about 9-10 amps and should easily "run" with a 3kw generator. However, depending on the starting load, the initial current inrush for the first second or so of start-up can easily be 6-10x the load current and not all generators/motors for a 3k generator set have the ability to handle the starting current in-rush. Bear in mind that many deep well submersible pumps are 300 feet or more from the power source and voltage drop may be a factor in extending the start time for the motor/generator circuit breaker. My Honda 3500 watt portable will start my 1hp deep well pump at 220v quite well (no pun intended) if the generator is connected directly to the pump i.e. no other loads are present.

PS: always disconnect the utility wiring to any household device or use a 3-way manual transfer switch to prevent your generator from becoming toast if the utility power is suddenly restored. Best to have a knowledgeable electrician install the switch or show you how to safely disconnect the power if you do not know how to do it already.

 

[smokey30725]

Got a Generac 5500W with 7500 surge watts. Bought it from Slickdeals.net when they had a Home Depot one day sale right after the tornadoes a while back. Half price with free shipping. Cost was $370. Ordered it and waiting 6 weeks with nothing. Then got a note from Home Depot that it had been "lost" in shipping. They offered me my money back or another 20% off a replacement. Long story short, got it for a little less than 300 and couldn't be happier.

 

[david 6969]

maybe but the distance to the well will make all the diference, the larger the wire the better. I have 5kw in my motorhome and it would not run my well 100 feet, Put a transfer switch or an outlet box at your well and you have a better chance with the local hookup. honda 3000 inverter is a good choice. Good luck.

 

[FlyDawg72]

Generac

 

[buddy5954]

I thought about a much larger one but then thought I would rather have two smaller. Not to have all my eggs in one basket per say.

My WEN will run 240 and 120. Did a test run the other night. It ran my 20 meter 100 watt ham radio setup along with 3 fridges and a desk light. Ran flawlessly.

Ordered it off amazon $303 with free 2 day shipping (prime)

http://amzn.com/B003N9AT5G

I'm thinking about ordering a couple of these. Did you have any hiccups from multiple compressors coming on at the same time? I'm looking at buying these for a short-term disaster, obviously. There's only so much gas you can store. However, with young kids, a summer storm that could put the power out for 5 days in the dead of summer heat makes me put this prep category ahead of food beyond 2 months and medicine. 2 portable A/C's are paramount -- 13000 combined btu's for a 500 sf sealed area. This is followed by the fridge/freezer -- disconnect as needed for the microwave, and copious grilling off the grid. .

Any recommendations for a power conditioner to run TV / DVD / computers, etc without worrying about frying them from poor power quality?

 

[Darkpurge]

Generac old school 8k...with vangard 18hp...its been drinking the gas that Prius's have been saving since 1991...

 

[buddy5954]

I bought a couple of Wen 3500 generators to replace my Bottom of the Harbor Freight generator. I am now looking for extension cords for it. I am planning a setup where I can section off a part of my house, run 13000 BTUs worth of portable air conditioners and a TV with one generator and use the other to alternate between my refrigerator and my deep freezer out in the garage.

I estimate generator #1 will have pretty close to 2000 watts continuous load on it split between the 2 120v outputs. 25 ft. 10 and 12 gauge extension cords are rated @ 15 amps (1800 watts) according to what I'm seeing on Amazon. Is there a reason both 10 and 12 ga cords have the same max rating? Would you recommend a 10 ga cord over a 12 ga if I'm pulling 1000 watts per 120v generator output? Or is 12 ga adequate? Any chance that a start-up surge load could overwhelm the 12 ga cord? Any significant difference in power loss over 25 ft between the two cords?

 

[buddy5954]

Update:

I went with the 25' 12 ga extension cords. I also bought 3 decent surge protectors and a pure sine wave universal power supply to make sure my TV and other sensitive methods of entertainment get clean power.

 

[TeknoGun]

Have a PowerBoss 8000 and a small Generac 3500. They are both LOUD but powerful. I agree with MDog and will be moving to some much quieter Honda, Hyundai or Yamahas..Discretion will be key..

 

[potenza]

John Deere ,