kybaseball
ArboristSite Member
I was wondering what size generator you guys use for backup power and what all does it run? Would like to know your hookup?
If you have a well pump you need at least an 8,200 starting watt.
Yeah, me too and I've given that speech before too. Electricity is kinda what I do though. I also have mine instrumented so I can monitor voltage, frequency current and power.Well, to be 100% honest, the "right" way is with a transfer switch... any other way is the "wrong" way. And depending on local code and/or your contract with the electric provider that may be the only approved way. I will tell you that neither dad or I use a transfer switch, but I won't tell you how either of us do it... simply because, if you screw-up, any "wrong" way is potentially dangerous to you, your family, your property and even the linemen working on restoring your grid power (and you could smoke the generator). A transfer switch is pretty much foolproof; throw the switch one way and the grid is connected/generator ain't, throw it the other way and generator is connected/grid ain't... simple, safe, and positive.
Then my furnace pump to check that and finally my well pit. I was really good on both of my 20 amp lines until my well pit. I over came that by switching the well pit from 110 to 220 which dropped my draw from 13 amps to 7 amps.
I am not an electrician so I am giving the information that the person who did the wiring told me. Above is exactly what he told me when he was done. He said that my amp draw was way high for my generator with my well pump wired to 110 so he rewired it to 220 and cut the draw in half. Does that make sense?I'm a bit confused by that statement. You aren't implying that you went from drawing a total of 13amps on 120V to now drawing 7 amps on 220V, are you??
I'm a bit confused by that statement. You aren't implying that you went from drawing a total of 13amps on 120V to now drawing 7 amps on 220V, are you??
If you have a well pump you need at least an 8,200 starting watt.
I say this because many generators are 5500/6250. There is a chance that when your pump starts and say the fridge is running and someone turns on a hair dryer or microwave that the well pump can get cooked. With common sense this would not happen, but wife and children may not have that. I see many well pumps getting replaced after a long power outages around. Well pumps are VERY expensive to replace in the middle of winter. So a little more $$ on a little larger genny is cheap insurance.
I am not an electrician so I am giving the information that the person who did the wiring told me. Above is exactly what he told me when he was done. He said that my amp draw was way high for my generator with my well pump wired to 110 so he rewired it to 220 and cut the draw in half. Does that make sense?
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