{"id":672,"date":"2018-09-15T13:43:31","date_gmt":"2018-09-15T13:43:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/survivaljar.com\/?p=672"},"modified":"2018-09-15T13:48:27","modified_gmt":"2018-09-15T13:48:27","slug":"survival-generator-for-well-pump-caravan-welding-machines","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/survivaljar.com\/survival-generator-for-well-pump-caravan-welding-machines\/","title":{"rendered":"Survival Generator for Well Pump, Caravan, and Welding Machines"},"content":{"rendered":"

One of the most important items you should have stored away for an emergency is a good quality high power 110v electric generator. These can come in handy when there is a blackout, or if you just need to get some power to a remote part of your property to run a water\u00a0well pump.<\/p>\n

As an electrician, I always had a little 1000w EU10i Honda generator set up in the back of my van. It came with the van when I got my job and it was ok with simple power tools. But when I would load it up with a Welder or a 1hp Well Pump I quickly realized it was not going to do the job.<\/p>\n

Without a constant flow of steady amps, the arc caddy welder<\/a> would splutter and stop welding for me. This made it hard to get those perfect bead welds on cable trays and brackets. Using a smaller welding rod with lower amp settings was better but would take too long. So I had to get a better generator for my job and I wanted the best, lightest, most powerful one I could afford.<\/p>\n

Which Generator for Well Pumps, Caravans, and Welding Machines.<\/h2>\n

Let us explain a few important details that may affect your decision on why the size and type of generator you will need. Depending on the size of your portable welder, power tools and the current draw of your sump pump will determine the minimum size of the Genset\u00a0you will require. Generators are rated in kilowatt hours, KVA or to the common man their power rating. To work out power we need to know two variables like current and voltage.<\/p>\n

Power = Volts x Amps<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

So if your water sump well pump pulls around 8amps on full load then you will need a generator that is able to provide around 110v x 8amps =\u00a0 880 watts of power.<\/p>\n

For a reliable machine, I would round it up to 1000w and then double it 100% for the starting current also known as inrush current. So now we are up to a 2KVA generator.<\/p>\n

Inrush Current<\/h3>\n

Depending on the size of the water\u00a0well pump motor, your inrush current<\/a> could be as high as 2-5 times the normal running current. Saying this you will only have this high current for a second or two. We need to make sure that the generator that we are purchasing will be able to handle a large inrush current for a short period of time.<\/p>\n

Newer well pumps have a soft starter installed which will reduce the inrush current to the pump motor. This makes sizing the generator easy. Just consult the manufacturer’s specification on the well pump.<\/p>\n

Some generators that have been built cheaply will fail at a high inrush current and will either trip a circuit breaker, stall out or simply just turn off. That’s\u00a0why I always recommend buying a brand name generator or one will good specifications to handle high inrush situations without letting the user down. I have seen plenty of cheap Chinese generators fail into a glob of hot smoldering plastic over my years as a sparky.<\/p>\n

So let’s look at 3 generators that I see a lot around work\u00a0sites and out at campsites. I have picked the most common power ratings for different applications.<\/p>\n

Top 3 Economic Inverter Generators<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Power Generator<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\nWestinghouse<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/td>\nBriggs & Stratton<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/td>\nWen 5500<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n\"generator<\/a>\"\"<\/td>\n\"generator<\/a>\"\"<\/td>\n\"generator<\/a>\"\"<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Model No<\/strong><\/td>\niGen2500<\/span><\/td>\nP3000<\/td>\nWen 56551<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Running Wattage<\/strong><\/td>\n2200 watts<\/td>\n2600 watts<\/td>\n5000w<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Starting Wattage<\/strong><\/td>\n2500 watts<\/td>\n3000 watts<\/td>\n5500w<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Running max amps<\/strong><\/td>\n18.3 Amps<\/td>\n21.7A<\/td>\n41.6 Amps<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Start Type<\/strong><\/td>\nManual Pull Start<\/td>\nManual Pull start<\/td>\nElectric Start<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Petrol\u00a0Run Time<\/strong><\/td>\n10 Hours at 25% Load. I love that manufacturers are starting to do this fuel rating.<\/td>\n10 hours at 1\/4 load.<\/td>\nRuns for 11 hours at 1\/2 load.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Fuel Storage<\/strong><\/td>\n1 Gallon<\/td>\n1.5 Gallon<\/td>\n6.5-gallon fuel tank<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Outlets<\/strong><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • 2x house general outlets<\/li>\n
  • 2x USB ports with one being a fast 2.1A outlet.<\/li>\n
  • Parallel capable yes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
\n
    \n
  • Household outlets x4<\/li>\n
  • 120-volt 30-amp locking outlet with RV adaptor<\/li>\n
  • DC charging outlet 12v 5 amp<\/li>\n
  • USB phone charging port<\/li>\n
  • Parallel capable yes with the\u00a0separate outlet.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

     <\/td>\n

\n
    \n
  • Four 120V 20A three-prong outlets,<\/li>\n
  • twist-lock 120\/240V 30A outlet for campervans. (L14-30)<\/li>\n
  • Cigarette-lighter-style 12V DC outlet<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
LCD Display<\/strong><\/td>\nLED\u00a0Display auto cycles through remaining run-time, power output, fuel level, and voltage<\/td>\nShows the amount of power being used, total unit hours and maintenance reminders like oil changes due.<\/td>\nDigital hour counter.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Engine Size<\/strong><\/td>\n98cc or 3.4HP<\/td>\n171cc<\/td>\n389cc 13 HP OHV engine<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Weight<\/strong><\/td>\n48 lbs<\/td>\n85 lbs<\/td>\n182.5 pounds<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Noise<\/strong><\/td>\n52 dBA<\/td>\n58 decibels<\/td>\n74 db<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Our pick<\/strong><\/td>\nGreat generator for a caravan. Instant portable power on a campsite or for a few small power tools. Nice, light,\u00a0 and quiet.<\/p>\n

Plenty of power for the average handyman or for simple emergency survival electricity.<\/td>\n

This is the one I have chosen for my work van. Plenty of power to run our larger caddy welders and power tools on the work site.<\/p>\n

Perfect generator for 1hp bore well pumps.<\/td>\n

Larger worksite generator that can run multiple power tools, a fridge, and air conditioner at the same time.<\/p>\n

Perfect for emergency power at home. It is a very heavy unit so best left in the shed.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Where to Buy<\/strong><\/td>\n\"\"<\/a><\/td>\n\"\"<\/a><\/td>\n\"\"<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

Which generator do I need?<\/h2>\n

This is the million dollar question. For most of us, it will come down to portability also known as weight and functionality, also known as the power rating.<\/p>\n

Do you need a generator for camping to have music and fun<\/a>? Or do you need a generator for welding? Each application is different.<\/p>\n

It is no good buying a 7KW generator if you can’t even move it to your campsite due to its weight. I have put together a list of different appliances and their rated watts used. It will tell your their normal running current as well as any starting current spikes. This way you can add a few up to see how much power you really need.<\/p>\n

Basically the more powerful the generator the heaver it will be. The copper winding and the larger motor to drive the generator increased this weight massively. So let’s look at the average power draw of everyday items in your hose.<\/p>\n

Wattage Needed<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Item<\/strong><\/td>\nRunning Full Load Watts<\/strong><\/td>\nStarting Peak Watts<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lighting and Water<\/span><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Incandescent Light Bulb 60w<\/td>\n60w<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
LED 60w comparable light bulb<\/td>\n10w<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Fridge \/ Freezer<\/td>\n700w<\/td>\n2200w<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sump Well Pump 1 HP<\/td>\n1050w<\/td>\n2200w<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Water pump 1\/2 HP<\/td>\n900w<\/td>\n2200w<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Submersible pump 2HP<\/td>\n2000w<\/td>\n4000w<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Electric Water heater<\/td>\n3000-4000w<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Electronics<\/span><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Phone Charger<\/span><\/td>\n25w<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Stereo HiFi<\/td>\n300w<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
LED 42 Inch TV<\/td>\n200w<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lenovo 15 inch Laptop Computer<\/td>\n250w<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Inverter Arc Welder 140A<\/td>\n700w<\/td>\n2000w<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Heating and Cooling<\/span><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Space rack heater<\/td>\n1300w<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Furnace fan blower<\/td>\n800w<\/td>\n2350w<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Wall\/window air conditioner<\/td>\n1200w<\/td>\n1800w<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Central split system AC<\/td>\n3800w<\/td>\n4950w<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
RV air conditioner<\/td>\n1000w<\/td>\n1600w<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kitchen Appliances<\/span><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Blender<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/td>\n		400w<\/td>\n850w<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Toaster<\/span><\/td>\n850w<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Coffee Machine<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/td>\n		1000w<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Microwave Oven 1100w<\/span><\/span><\/td>\n1100w<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

How to work out which size generator for Well Pump<\/h2>\n

Well pumps are usually installed down deep in a borehole. These submersible pumps have to push the water up as high as 200 feet. As a survivalist out in the middle of know where these can be a lifesaver.<\/p>\n

\"110v<\/a>\"\"\u00a0As long as we know either the power draw or the amperage of an electrical item we can work out other electrical values. This is because the mains voltage is always a constant 120 volts.<\/p>\n

Amps = Power \/ Volts<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

One horsepower equals 745.7 watts. So if you have a 2 hp\u00a0well pump<\/b>\u00a0then it should need only 1,492 watts of power to run. But we need to take into account the voltage drop and the starting current. So 2000w should be ample running current but I would look into a 4000w generator or higher.<\/p>\n

What size generator for an arc welder?<\/h3>\n

The arc welder will pull a massive amount of inrush mains current while the arc is being struck. Once the welding arc is underway and you are welding metal the input current will drop off.<\/p>\n

Look at the manufacturer’s specifications and I would then triple the size of the generator required. So an inverter arc welder that is pulling 5 amps at 110v will be using 550w of power normally. A 2000w generator would be perfect in this application with spare power available to deal with the inrush current.<\/p>\n

Which Generator did I go for?<\/h2>\n
\"Briggs<\/a>
Click for more user reviews over at Amazon<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\"\"
\nAfter looking at all of the features I needed I ended up going with the Briggs and Stratton P3000. There were a number of reasons I chose this one:<\/p>\n