Replies

1. 
   rasconc | Feb 23, 2009 03:10am | #1

   Better check what your pump needs, I had a 3500w gen I inherited and it is not enough for a 3/4hp with a 180' deep well IMHO #you do need to consider voltage drop#.  I did not see anything that really requires "clean" power.  The laptop should be using a transformer and a decent UPS would filter for that or even a desktop.

   My son was considering two of those set up to run his trailer.  There are some ways to hook it up to accomplish more wattage avail at 120 or run two to get 240.  It is probably pretty tricky though.  I know in the Army we used to parallel gens.

   Just my unlearned opinion.

   Bob

   For those who have fought for it Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.

   
   

   ---

   Edited 2/22/2009 7:16 pm ET by rasconc

2. 
   Ray | Feb 23, 2009 04:10am | #2

   rasconc has the right advice.  See if you can find the "locked rotor" current of the pump motor.  That's the absolute maximum starting current required.  multiply that by 220 V. and you have the watts required for a generator.  Unfortunately, that amount of current is only needed for less that 1/10 of a second, heck of a waste of generator capacity isn't it?  A 1-hp pump kept me from going "off grid" a few years ago.  Installed 1/2 mile of underground power to the house.

    

3. 
   Dam_inspector | Feb 23, 2009 05:07am | #3

   EU6500iSA might be a better choice for you.

1. 
   Leegs | Feb 23, 2009 05:16am | #4

   That would be nice, but that sucker is $4000 !. Thanks to Rasconc and Ray for the input - I'll have to check it out, but it looks as if 3000W just wouldn't be adequate.
   In the meantime I did some more research and came across a possible alternative at the other end of the spectrum from Honda - a Champion 3500W, for only $399. I've read some positive reviews, and its not too loud. I can't help but be quite skeptical but . . .

1. 
   Dam_inspector | Feb 23, 2009 05:23am | #5

   I didn't check the price, WOW!I'd consider 2 generators then, a noisy generac or something with 240 volts to run the pump, and the small one to provide quiet power and save fuel. We had a bad windstorm here in Ohio that wiped out a huge area of power distribution. Most fuel stations had no power, and the rest had no fuel. My 5 hp Gilette generator really sucked down the fuel and made a hellacious racket, till I ran out of gas. I'm thinking a natural gas stationary unit is in my future.

1. 
   Leegs | Feb 23, 2009 05:35am | #6

   That's just what I was thinking. $500 or so for a noisy bigger machine, and $1200 for a Honda EU2000 (58 db, 43 lb, 4 hrs/gallon @ 1600W). You could keep the freezer frozen for a long time with that little machine on not too much gas.

1. 
   Dam_inspector | Feb 23, 2009 05:42am | #7

   Those Hondas are impressive. A guy had one at the cruise in to power up his Mustang entertainment system, you could barely hear it run. He said it ran for over 140 straight hours (except refuelling) when the power was out, and I don't remember the fuel usage, but it was very efficient.

2. 
   brownbagg | Feb 23, 2009 05:48am | #8

   just go buy a diesel welding machine, its a tool and a generator

3. 
   Squash | Feb 25, 2009 12:20am | #10

   Got two this past December when we got whacked with a pretty big ice storm and long power outage.  The first one I picked up was an EU2000 and the second is either a Generac or a Briggs and Stratton from Home Depot.  All I ran was the EU2000 except for a few short occassions.  That little thing is impressive.  BUT, I also didn't rely on it for a well pump.  All I ran was a small fridge, my pellet stove, clock radio, and a half dozen or so lights when needed.  I left it on 'efficiency' mode and was averaging about 8 hours per gallon or thereabouts.  Nice and quiet too, and very simple to run.  I'm sold.  The other machine... boat anchor for the time being.

4. 
   Leegs | Feb 25, 2009 01:50am | #12

   Yeah I really suspect that I would get the most utility out of the smaller one as well. The darn pump issue sort of confuses things.

5. 
   Catspaw | Feb 25, 2009 02:14am | #14

   Our solution to the well pump problem is to fill the bathtub (for washing and "flush" water and a bunch of water jugs (for drinking water) whenever we think it is likely that the power is going to go out. We have a Honda EU2000 which will run the fridge, lights and computers.

   -Rich

4. 
   frammer52 | Feb 24, 2009 12:15am | #9

   Have you looked at the Yamaha generators? 

   We have used them for years on the job.  Personally I bought a Sears craftman and have been happy with it.  Quiet and gets good milage.

   I have a 5500 watt, bought 7 yrs ago for $750

1. 
   Leegs | Feb 25, 2009 01:48am | #11

   Based on your message I have looked into the Yamahas - they are quite appealing compared to the Honda compacts. The decision gets more difficult . . What size/model have you used on the job?thanks

1. 
   frammer52 | Feb 25, 2009 02:12am | #13

   6500 ATTS.

   I WILL TELL YOU THEY RUN WIDE OPEN FOR UP TO 9 HOURS A DAY ON OUR SITES. SORRY about the caps.