Generator won't run water pump ?

[mastercaster]

Perhaps your impeller may be swelled and is too tight in the impeller housing. This is likely the case if you have used it to pump fuel or solvents in the past.

[line052]

Look at the AMP rating on the pump motor and start up draw for it. Then compare max starting amps for the Geny. Our AC unit on trailer is rated for 20Amps and my 3K (4K surge) geny starts it fine.

[longpointer]

Hi guys ! Thanks for the comments and hints. Not sure what the light bulb trick will do but will try it. 5000 watt geny will surge to 6000 watts so it should be able to power a normal 120 volt household water pump otherwise as a back up power supply to house it is useless. So in the meantime I broke down and purchased that 1 inch gas powered water transfer pump from Princess Auto (200 bucks) plus check valve and other fittings(40 bucks). It does the job but just so. At least I may see veggies this year.

[410001661]

Hi guys ! Thanks for the comments and hints. Not sure what the light bulb trick will do but will try it. 5000 watt geny will surge to 6000 watts so it should be able to power a normal 120 volt household water pump otherwise as a back up power supply to house it is useless. So in the meantime I broke down and purchased that 1 inch gas powered water transfer pump from Princess Auto (200 bucks) plus check valve and other fittings(40 bucks). It does the job but just so. At least I may see veggies this year.

Your 5000W generator should generate about 41A @ 120V..........peaking to 50A @ 120V. Your typical 120V resi outlet has a 15A breaker rated for 1800W.

I would look at the output of the generator......make sure it is in sync (voltage and current).

[Snowwalker]

Hi guys ! Thanks for the comments and hints. Not sure what the light bulb trick will do but will try it. 5000 watt geny will surge to 6000 watts so it should be able to power a normal 120 volt household water pump otherwise as a back up power supply to house it is useless. So in the meantime I broke down and purchased that 1 inch gas powered water transfer pump from Princess Auto (200 bucks) plus check valve and other fittings(40 bucks). It does the job but just so. At least I may see veggies this year.

The light is an electrical load with no phase. The pump motor if it is not turning( as in not starting) is seen as an open circuit so there is no load.

If you have ever been to a construction site and someone is using a small generator. You may have seen a light or radio plugged into the generator. With out the the light to place a light load on the generator you can't run the power tool.

[longpointer]

Oh ? Kind of like a pilot light to kick on the big flame ? Will give it a try ! Thanks !

[severn don]

Had the same problem at the cottage running a nail gun and compressor .realized latter that the electrical cord 60 ft was to long and moved the genny closer to the tool, fixed the problem for me. But I do not know your set up.

[Bushmoose]

Oh ? Kind of like a pilot light to kick on the big flame ? Will give it a try ! Thanks !

I'm certainly no electrician, but it has something to do with "exciting" or "flashing" the generator. if you google it, you'll see some good info on it.

[Snowwalker]

I'm certainly no electrician, but it has something to do with "exciting" the generator. if you google it, you'll see some good info on it.

Spot on there. It's never a problem with a wall plug because the grid always have a load..

[TroutSlayer]

Had the same problem at the cottage running a nail gun and compressor .realized latter that the electrical cord 60 ft was to long and moved the genny closer to the tool, fixed the problem for me. But I do not know your set up.

That's my feeling on the problem. Voltage drop across a very long, lightweight extentsion cord, would certainly increase the draw on the load. In Don's case a 100 foot top quality extenstion cord, would have done the trick. I'm talking booster cable type extension cord. Try to draw current through 12 or 14 guage wire (over distance) and what happens? Voltage drops and Amps increase.