Having no water when there’s no electricity can be a bit tough to handle. Especially in areas with frequent load shedding, this can become a big problem to deal with. This is why people now consider using generators to run their well pumps.
As you plan to get a generator for your well pump, you might be wondering which is the right one to go for.
Can 5000 watt generator run well pumps?
A 5000 watt generator can run well pumps. It can be a great option for running small to medium-sized well pumps. A 5000 watt generator can run 1/3 HP, 1/2 HP, 3/4 HP, 1 HP, and 1.5 HP well pumps. If you opt for a well pump smaller than 1 HP, you can even run some smaller appliances simultaneously.
A 5000 watt generator can be a piece of great equipment to support you in times of emergencies. The wattage of the generator mainly depends on the power requirement of the well pump. There are different types of well pumps fit for different types of households.
Power requirements differ with their sizes and so does the size of the generators.
While calculating the power requirement of a well pump, you have to consider both the running watt and the starting watt. Though it’s the running watt that the pump requires while it runs, you need a generator that can provide the starting watt for the pump to start properly.
Can a generator run a well pump?
A generator can run a well pump. It can be a great solution to keep on running your well pump during a power outage. It can become such a hassle if you can’t get any water due to suddenly having no electricity.
A generator can help you to run a well pump and other necessary appliances during a power outage.
The capacity and size of the generator should be decided based on the power of the well pump. Generally, a 2000 watt generator can efficiently run a 1/3 horsepower or a 1/2 horsepower well pump.
With a 4000 watt generator, you can even run a 1 horsepower well pump without any issues. You need to know the starting watt of your well pump to find the right generator.
How many watts do you need to run a well pump?
The watt requirement to start and run a well pump depends on the size of the well pump. For example, a 3/4 horsepower well pump requires a running watt of 1500 and a starting watt of 3000 to function properly.
A well pump can be as big as 10 horsepower depending on the size of the community it is being used for.
A 10 horsepower well pump requires a running watt of 15000 and a starting watt of 30000. You will need a large capacity generator to start and continue running a 10 horsepower well pump. The generator needs to provide the starting watt for the well pump to start properly.
You can also run other appliances depending on their requirements and the capacity of your generator.
3 reasons why 5000 watt generator run well pumps
5000 watt generator run well pumps for the following reasons –
Ideal for small to medium well pumps:
A 5000 watt generator is great for running small to medium well pumps. You can power any well pump between the size of 1/3 horsepower and 1.5 horsepower with a 5000 watt generator.
Ensure water availability during a power outage:
With planned power outages becoming more common, people are often having to spend their time without any water supply. As most submersible well pumps are powered by utility power, they can’t work during a power outage.
Fortunately, you can power a well pump with a 5000 watt generator. The size is right for a well pump as small as 1/3 horsepower, and a well pump as big as 1.5 horsepower.
Capable of handling most of the appliances:
A 5000 watt generator is capable of handling most of the common appliances in an average house. All it requires is for the appliances to have wattage ratings below 5000 watts.
Now, if you are powering a 1.5 horsepower well pump with the 5000 watt generator, you may not be able to power too many appliances since the starting watt of a 1.5 horsepower well pump is 5000 watt.
But, for smaller well pumps, you can power other appliances with low wattage ratings easily with a 5000 watt generator. It is capable of running electric heaters and blankets, radio, television, hair dryer, lamps, and fans.
You may not be able to power these all at once, but a 5000 watt generator can power one or more along with a low power well pump at a time.
What size generator do I need to run a well pump?
One of the most common queries regarding the use of a generator for a well pump is about choosing the right size. To find out the right generator size, you first need to know about the power of the well pump.
2000 watt:
A 2000 watt generator can run a well pump that’s between the size of 1/3 horsepower and 1/2 horsepower. It can be great for small household well pumps.
3000 watt:
A 3000 watt generator can run a well pump that’s between the size of 1/3 horsepower and 3/4 horsepower. This is another great option for small household well pumps.
3500 watt:
A 3500 watt generator can run a well pump that’s between the size of 1/3 horsepower and 1/2 horsepower.
4000 watt:
A 4000 watt generator can run a well pump that’s between the size of 1/3 horsepower and 1 horsepower.
5000 watt:
You can run small to medium-sized well pumps with a 5000 watt generator. It can run any well pump that’s between the size of 1/3 horsepower and 1.5 horsepower.
5500 watt:
A 5500 watt generator is similar to a 5000 watt generator. It can run a well pump that’s between the size of 1/3 horsepower and 1.5 horsepower.
6000 watt:
A 6000 watt generator can run a well pump that’s between the size of 1/3 horsepower and 1.5 horsepower.
6500 watt:
A 6500 watt generator can run a well pump that’s between the size of 1/3 horsepower and 1.5 horsepower.
7000 watt:
A 7000 watt generator can run a well pump that’s between the size of 1/3 horsepower and 1.5 horsepower. It can provide enough running watt for a 2 horsepower well pump but fails to provide the starting watt.
7500 watt:
A 7500 watt generator can run most sizes of well pumps. It can run any well pump starting from 1/3 horsepower and 2 horsepower with great efficiency.
9000 watt:
A 9000 watt generator can also run any well pump between the size of 1/3 horsepower and 2 horsepower. It can also provide the running watt for a 3 horsepower well pump but is unable to provide the starting watt.
How do you power a well pump with a generator?
You can power a well pump with both a portable and a whole-house generator.
Powering a well pump with a whole-house generator:
Ensure capacity:
The first step is to ensure that the generator has a well pump listed on the things it can power.
Install a generator sub-panel:
The electrician needs to install a generator sub-panel and a transfer switch that’s wired into the generator sub-panel and your house’s main panel.
It needs to be made sure that the breaker in charge of the well pump is one of the breakers in the generator sub-panel. This way, the generator will turn on when it turns on automatically.
Powering a well pump with a portable generator:
Find a compatible match:
Find a portable generator compatible with your well pump, you can start the generator. Keep the generator outside your house to save yourself from the toxic fumes emitted from the generator.
Draw an extension cord:
If your well pump has a cord, draw an extension cord from this to the generator located outside. If it doesn’t have a cord, install one.
If you see the generator running perfectly and your well pump gets power, you’re all set.
Final Thoughts
A 5000 watt generator can run well pumps. You can use it to power your well pump and ensure water availability during a power outage. It can power any well pump from the size of 1/3 horsepower to 1.5 horsepower. You can also run other low-wattage appliances along with a well pump below 1 horsepower.