Well Pump is a good source of water for most houses as well as many farms. For that, it is crucial to keep the power supply constant to get water. Unfortunately, sometimes it could be impossible to supply electricity during power outages caused by tropical storms and other disasters.
As a result, people face different problems due to the lack of water. To get rid of this issue, purchasing a generator will be an excellent choice to supply electricity to your well pump. As we know, the generator is suitable for small appliances. But when it comes to large appliances like a well pump, people get confused about what size generator a well pump would need.
Generally, the size of the generator mainly depends on the well pump you have. For example, If you have a 1 KW well pump, you will need around a 1.5-2 wattage generator. Read continue this context to know how you can determine the right size generator for a well pump.
Why Do You Require a Generator for Well Pump
You may notice, we don’t use buckets and rope anymore to get water out from the well. Now we can easily draw water from wells using electric pumps. But sometimes, it could be challenging to get water out during the power outage. Power outages can occur due to hurricanes or any other kind of disaster.
So, what will you do during power outages? A generator can be an excellent solution to draw water from a well during power outages. With a generator, you can ensure that the electricity supply to your well pump will not stop during any power outage.
Now, you may be considering where you will get these types of generators. Numerous generators you will find on the marketplace, you have to choose the best generator for well pump that will fulfill all your needs.
Different Sizes of Well Pumps and Wattage
Several sizes of well pumps you will find on the marketplace. The bigger the well pump is, the more wattage you will need to run this. Typically, a ¾ horsepower well power uses 1,500 to 1,800 watts to run. Also, an entire community typically uses a large well pump of ten horsepower, which will require about 15,000 watts to run and at least 30,000 watts to start.
This is because every generator has a starting wattage as well as running watts. So, you have to know the horsepower to determine the well pump’s watts. This way, you can easily assume the size of a generator required for your well pump. Basically, you will find four types of well pumps: a submersible pump, jet pump, turbine pump, and cylinder pump.
Submersible Pump
This type of well pump is very common and uses a motor, usually about two or three feet long and 3.5 inches in diameter. Submersible pumps are installed in wells below the water level and often in wells more than three inches in diameter.
Jet Pump
You will require a jet pump when the well is less than 3.5 inches in diameter, like a shallow drive-point well. This type of pump is set up on top of the well or side in a pump house and attached to the well through pipes.
Turbine Pump
A turbine pump is typically used for wells that need to get out a large amount of water. The motor of this pump is placed on top of the well and has a turbine shaft that goes below the water level. The turbine pump has an impeller at the bottom of the ditch to push water up.
Cylinder Pump
Cylinder pumps are used for hand pumps or windmills. These pumps have a cylinder with a rod that moves up and down to pull the water to the ground. Cylinder pumps are not seen anymore due to the invention of submersible and jet pumps.
Generator Size For Well Pumps
As we know, running a few lights, fridge, or computer we will require a less powered generator. On the other hand, you will need a large generator to run an AC unit, electric heater, well pump, or electric stove. If you have a 1 HP well pump, a 1000 watt generator is not sufficient to run the pump. This is because electric motors require a lot of energy to run and get at full speed.
Besides, when a pump comes up to speed, its power demand will be dropped automatically. So, how can you assume the right size generator for your well pump? Well, think, you have a 1.5 HP well pump, then running wattage should be 1.5 x 746 = 1119. That means you will need a generator with double this power to start and run the 1.5 HP well pump.
So, a 2.5 KW generator will be good for a 1.5 HP well pump. Although 1 KW power will need to run the well pump, 2.5 KW is standard power to start the pump. Now, you may be seeking how you can check the wattage of your well pump. Every pump is equipped with a label on the control box. The control box holds the power cable, which goes to the pump well.
You will find a label above the surface of the control box with printed pump information. This information includes voltage (probably 220 or 230 volts) and current draw or horsepower(in amperes). These details will assist you in determining the right size generator for your well pump. Along with generator wattage, you should consider a few more factors discussed in the below section.
Other Considerations to Keep in Mind
Apart from power rating, you have to consider other factors that will help you pick the right generator for your well pump. Below we have explained some significant factors.
Generator Type
You will find three major types of generators such as inverter, convectional, and standby. Inverter and conventional generators are portable with movable power, whereas the standby generator is a fixed unit; you can’t move it.
Construction Integrity
The construction of a generator indicates how well it delivers power as well as how long it will last. If you need a long-lasting generator, you have to check the materials used in the generator construction. When the materials are heavy-duty and durable, the generator will be long-lasting.
Fuel Type
Apart from construction quality, you have to keep in mind the fuel type accessible to you. Some generator models are run on oil and gas, while others run on gasoline or diesel. For remote areas, dual fuel generator could be the best option for you.
Conclusion
During power outages, you will need a generator to run the well pump for ensuring water supply. In this case, choosing the right size generator will be making a good impact on running a well pump.
Most people are confused about finding the right size generator. That’s why, through this article, we will let you know how you can determine the right size generator for your well pump. Typically, the size of the generator mainly depends on the well pump you have.
If you have a 1 KW well pump, you will need around 1.5 (1 x 746=746 x 2= 1492) wattage generator. Along with generator wattage, you should also consider the other factors discussed above to get the right generator for running your well pump.