Inverter generator with well pump ????

[westcliffe01]

Here is a different idea to consider: Do you need the well pump all of the time, or just at specific times ? If you install a high capacity high voltage alternator in just 1 of your vehicles and add a decent size inverter to it, you would just have to go outside, hook up an extension cord to the outlet of the inverter, start the vehicle and then you could run just about any 230V appliance that you might own including all power tools, welder, compressor, well pump or whatever it is that you need powered. I would guess such a combo is likely to be a lot cheaper than a large generator, a lot more durable, a lot quieter, and perhaps most important, you can take it with you.... Very useful during "construction phase" of a homestead and afterwards very useful for powering anything major during extended power outages. I agree that the inverter generators are great for "base load" for keeping lights on and refrigerators powered. For AC and well pumps - not so much...

 

[BobRip]

Here is a different idea to consider: Do you need the well pump all of the time, or just at specific times ? If you install a high capacity high voltage alternator in just 1 of your vehicles and add a decent size inverter to it, you would just have to go outside, hook up an extension cord to the outlet of the inverter, start the vehicle and then you could run just about any 230V appliance that you might own including all power tools, welder, compressor, well pump or whatever it is that you need powered. I would guess such a combo is likely to be a lot cheaper than a large generator, a lot more durable, a lot quieter, and perhaps most important, you can take it with you.... Very useful during "construction phase" of a homestead and afterwards very useful for powering anything major during extended power outages. I agree that the inverter generators are great for "base load" for keeping lights on and refrigerators powered. For AC and well pumps - not so much...

A 3500 watt inverter would pull about 300 amps from your car electrical system. That seems like too much pfor the several minutes to run the well.

 

[westcliffe01]

I'm thinking this kind of retrofit alternator http://www.brandnewengines.com/pdf/meccalte/s20w.pdf
There is one for sale on ebay right now for under $900

The rear panel has 2 120V outlets and 1 230V 30A outlet. The reason I suggested using an inverter with it is that would allow the engine to be run at a variable speed while the inverter output frequency would be constant. At 3600 pulley rpm of course the frequency would be correct. But that would be a rather poor operating point for the engine in your truck. Maybe with 2:1 pulley ratio 1800rpm on the truck engine would probably be fine... Then you could skip the inverter.

Most folks might consider doing this too far gone on the "prepper path" but the fact is that in Africa it is very common to have a high voltage alternator on your Land Rover given that most villages do not have shops where one can weld your wheel rim / chassis / spring hanger etc etc... In group outings the different vehicles would often carry one piece of specialized equipment each so that when it is pooled there is a lot of capability available to fix things.

 

[buickanddeere]

An inverter does not momentarily supply peak inrush current of 2 or 3 tiles nameplate rated current to start motors.
That 10.0 FLA well pump will require an inverter that can produce at least 50amp.

 

[Threepoint]

An inverter does not momentarily supply peak inrush current of 2 or 3 tiles nameplate rated current to start motors.
That 10.0 FLA well pump will require an inverter that can produce at least 50amp.

+1 on this.

OliverJ, welcome to TBN! :welcome: You might not have noticed that this thread is four years old, and dealt with inverter-style generators, rather than DC battery to AC inverters. Interesting link, though, for less power-hungry applications.

 

[SPYDERLK]

An inverter does not momentarily supply peak inrush current of 2 or 3 tiles nameplate rated current to start motors.
That 10.0 FLA well pump will require an inverter that can produce at least 50amp.

The ones Ive seen spec on say they will sustain peak rating for 1 second before faulting. Peak is typically double the inverters nameplate rating -- 1000/2000, 4000/8000, etc