Posted: 2/3/2011 6:27:39 PM EDT
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I noticed that my submersible well pump is 240 V. We have city water here, but the well is plumbed into the sprinkler system, and is available under SHTF conditions to supply the house with water. I need to rethink my generator purchase to include one that can push this pump if need be. Does anyone have any experience with this scenerio; or just what generators are reliable that have 240 out? Thanks. Trying not to break the bank.
I hope to get around to putting a clampon ammeter on the thing tomorrow to get a real world draw reading. |
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Quoted:
Does anyone have any experience with this scenerio; or just what generators are reliable that have 240 out? Thanks. Trying not to break the bank. I hope to get around to putting a clampon ammeter on the thing tomorrow to get a real world draw reading. +1 on the ammeter –– until you know what both the inrush and steady state (running) currents are you can't really size a generator. as for the generator, there are few 240Vac-only generators; instead, most are split phase, dual voltage 120Vac/240Vac. you can run your 120Vac and 240Vac loads from the generator, up to the capacity of the system. below is my PTO-driven generator, it is a 120Vac/240Vac 12KW unit. i use this to power my well pump, at 240 feet depth. ar-jedi 
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I don't think you could find one big enough to run the well that isn't 240. I guess I have seen some pretty small pump motors, 1/2 and 3/4 that run on 240. I know the 2600 watt yanmar provides 240.
Without knowing your motor HP, you can't even guess. Just as a figure of merit, 1000-1200 W/hp works for running load. More is needed for starting. |
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there are few 240Vac-only generators; instead, most are split phase, dual voltage 120Vac/240Vac. you can run your 120Vac and 240Vac loads from the generator, up to the capacity of the system. As a cost-cutting measure, some models split the rated power output between the two phases - which means that only half of the rated power is available on either 120 volt leg. |
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240v is just 2 120v's that are in phase. A 5k watt generator will put out 240v. You'll just need to know how many amps are drawn so you don't max out the generator. You may have to go larger than 5k watts depending on the power needs. When you hook up the transfer switch you'll tie two breakers together to power the well pump circuit. So, if you buy a 10 circuit transfer switch you'll use it as a nine circuit transfer switch unless there are other 240v appliances you want to power. I have a Champion 7500 watt generator. I haven't had to use it yet for emergency power but during my transfer switch testing and every other month work out it starts up fine and causes me no problems. My 7500 watt generator is quieter than my Dad's 5000 watt Coleman Powermate. The engine also smooths out a hell of a lot faster than my Dad's Powermate. I got my generator from a Home Depot online deal when it was on sale for $500 with free delivery. I did have to remove the bonded neutral and make it a floating neutral so I could use it with my transfer switch that doesn't switch neutral. It wasn't hard, it took all of 5 minutes and can be undone in the same amount of time. Mine came with a bonded neutral because it was designed to be run at a job site all day instead of hooked up to a transfer switch. Champion now makes the same generator with a floating neutral but I don't think HD carries it. If I see that deal again I'll get another one and store it so I can give it to my brother when he buys a home. |
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240v is just 2 120v's that are in phase. Actually it's the exact opposite. 240VAC is just 2 120VAC lines that are exactly out of phase with one another. That is, one of them peaks on it's positive cycle at the exact time that the other one peaks on it's negative cycle. The voltages then "cross" each other at zero, and peak in the opposite direction. So if you measured line 1 to line 2 voltage for a full cycle you would see L1:+120Vac, L2:-120VAC, a 240Vac differential; transitioning to L1:0Vac, L2:0Vac, 0Vac differential; transitioning to L1:-120VAC, L2:+120Vac, a -240Vac differential; transitioning to L1:0Vac, L2:0Vac, a 0Vac differential, transitioning back to L1:+120Vac, L2:-120VAC, a 240Vac differential. |
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my 5.5kW Generac runs my pump and the propane boiler so Mrs Oldford can use the shower when the power is out.
I'm backfeeding my panel with one of those interlock devices to prevent the main and backfeed breaker from being closed at the same time. okay, i use the shower too. |
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Thanks to everyone for the great replies and help. I was just looking and there is a New Guardian Plus Air-cooled, Prepackaged Automatic Standby 13kW Generator being sold locally for $2500.
Includes: • 12V DC Receptacle - power up 12 volt devices, charge batteries
• 120V GFCI Outlet - run power equipment outside • Automatic Transfer Switch o 2 ft. Pre-Wired Conduit - connects to home's main circuit electrical panel o 30 ft. Pre-Wired Conduit - connects to external outdoor connection box o 12-circuit load center - pre-wired, • Outdoor Connection Box - pre-wired to generator controls and main line circuit breaker • Flex Fuel Line - connection from rigid gas pipe to generator fuel inlet • Mounting Pad - no need to pour concrete • Installation Guide - "Do it Yourself" installation guide (experienced electrician recommended) • Provides 13 kilowatts of power on both natural gas and LPV. Equipped with the Generac 992cc OHVI® industrial, 2 cylinder block engine. Sounds like a pretty good deal, although it looks like this is an older model. I like the idea of nat gas. One downside is if we need to BO, I can't take it with me very easily. Although, I really don't have any place to BO to... 
This would definately take care of my 240V water pump and prolly also push our 3 ton AC unit downstairs. |
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That is a decent unit. I don't know if noise is a problem for you, but the newer ones are supposed to be quieter than the older ones.
Natural gas is a wonderful thing when it is flowing, it would be nice to have a gasoline option. Your concern about it being stuck at the scene if you b.o. is legit. However, even if you got tricky and trailer mounted it...if it runs on N.G. and you take it wth your looking for B.I. locations with NG, or LP. Add those issues into the mix. I juggled with all of this stuff for about 2 years. I wound up buying a Honda EU6500. It'll run the well pump and the rest of the things I need, it is quiet, and portable. I am not too worried about running AC. If I need a place to cool down, I can fire the little EU2000 and it will run the roof ac in my cabover camper. I am researching multifuel conversion kits for the 6500 now, I would like to be able to run it on propane, too. |