What Size Generator Do I Need to Run a Well Pump

If you own a well-pump, then you’ll definitely need a generator. Well, an electric device can’t operate without electricity, right? Sometimes unwanted power shortages can cost huge damage to you by malfunctioning in the well-pump.

You can avoid such problems just by choosing a generator that works well for the well-pump. You’ll find hundreds of options when choosing a generator for a well pump. But how’ll you determine the right size for your pump?

If you think your 1HP generator can work fine with a 1000 watts generator, then you’re entirely wrong. The pump will surely start working with a 1000 watts generator, but it’ll need more power to go on. A generator that can supply 3000-4000 watts works fine for your 1HP well pump. Let’s dig more into the rest of the article.

What Size Generator Do Well-Pumps Need?

Let’s assume you’re here in the market to choose a generator for your 1HP well-pump. And if you’ve made your decision to select the generator that will supply 1000 watts, then you might need to rethink your decision.

Every electric motor needs a certain amount of power to start the mechanism. But to continue the workflow, it will need more power than the beginning. So for better performance, you should get generator for well pump.

So if you own a 1HP well pump, choose a generator that can supply power up to 4000 watts.

However, what should you do if your well pump is not 1HP? No need to worry at all! Well, pumps have their own set of requirements for generators. Know the conditions before going to the market to buy a generator. To buy the right size generator for your well-pump, ask yourself these given questions:

• What size of well pump am I using?
• Is My well-pump a  standard submersible type?
• Does the pump come with a continuous pressure controller?

And when you have the answers, you can buy one confidently.

How to Choose the Right Generator to Run a Well-Pump?

Besides the power supply, you’ll need to look for more factors to get the right size generator for your pump. Here are the topmost wanted features you should look for in the generator :

Type

You can choose your desired generator from three types. Inverters, conventional, and standby are the types you will find in the market. Each of them offers and serves different features to the user.

Inverter: They’re famous for portability and the power output decency feature.

Conventional: You can compare them to batteries or even call them the bigger version of batteries. Conventional generators are also portable, just like inverters, but they can’t produce much power.

Standby: There are different sizes of standby generators as per specific requirements. And a standby generator can produce a vast amount of energy.

We suggest you choose a standby generator according to your well pump requirements. 

Power Output

It’s important to know if the generator can produce the power your well pump needs. The common mistake one makes while selecting a generator with the wrong power output.

If your generator can produce twice the power your pump needs, then you’ve chosen the right one.

You will find the voltage and HP requirement in the user manual or in the device’s body of both generator and pump.

Construction

The construction of a generator decides how well the device will work, how easily you can move it from place to place in need, and how long the lifespan is. If the construction is not strong enough, the generator won’t even last for half the lifetime it was supposed to.

From inner parts to the outer casing, everything should be made from high-quality materials for long-lasting durability with maximum work efficiency.

Other Things to Consider

Now that you know what size you should select or what type of construction your generator should have, it’s time to look for the other considerations to look for. We’ve prepared a list of traits your generator should have:

Fuel Type

Generators can run on different fuel types, such as oil, gas, diesel, and many more. The fuel type is crucial as it works as the life-juice for the device.

Depending on the fuel type, generators are divided into single fuel, and the other is known as dual fuel generators. It’s best to use the dual fuel so you can switch between propane and gasoline.

Before buying, check the user manual to ensure you’re choosing the correct fuel type. Otherwise, it’ll cost you a fortune to purchase fuel to run the pump using a generator.

Good Location to Place the Generator

A generator can be quite hazardous and emits toxic gases. You wouldn’t like your indoor environment to get polluted with poisonous substances. That’s why your generator should be in a place where:

1. Whether the place is connected or not to the main house.
2. Has a proper ventilation and cooling system.
3. The area doesn’t have any flammable ingredients.

Suppose the place you choose is outside. Then take proper measurements to save the generator from extreme heat, rain which can damage the device. A fire extinguisher placed right beside the generator can save you from inconvenience.

Good Knowledge About Power Connection

Earlier, we discussed the power output of a generator. Buying a generator with only knowing the power output rather than comparing it with your home’s power connection will only lead to a fatal accident.

If the power supply is not enough for your generator, it can cause a short circuit leading to a permanent generator breakdown. And not only that, the worst result of a short circuit can cause a massive fire accident.

Noise Cancellation

One of the familiar problems generator users face is the loud noise coming from the device. You and your neighbors would also suffer from the generator’s cranky, bizarre, and loud noise.

If you don’t want the noise, you should choose an inverter or standby as they produce less noise than conventional generators.

Final Words

To cut a long story short, you’ll have plenty of generator options in the market for your well-pump. If you plan to run your well-pump using a generator, then a mid-range power, cost-efficient, will be perfect.

A well-built generator can make your well pump’s performance and usage journey much more pleasant if chosen correctly. Double-check the pump’s requirements to select the best suitable generator.

We hope the article was helpful enough for you to find the right one to use with your well-pump. If you’ve any previous experience or any suggestions toward generators for well-pump, feel free to share with us.