Running a 230 Volt Submersible Well Pump on a Small Generator | Generator Plug Wiring

[@ericdaffron1254]

This video got me up and running here in Asheville after Helene took out our power. Only thing I’d add to this is go ahead and buy that plug before you need it. It’s been a hot commodity around here the last few days.

[@franklee2683]

Great idea. I'm going to do that!! Also,buy the 10-3 wire,about 15 ft is good. God Bless all Helene victims!!!

[@joydavis4087]

Solar would be better if at all possible since gas is also a hot commodity. I wish I knew more about how all this works. I would love to set up solar as a backup power for our well pump. I did hear about a team of well drillers, digging new wells for victims of Helene and installing filtration systems. Inspirational crew. Hearts ❤ and prayers 🙏 to everyone.

[@TheEnielsen]

This video made it possible for us to have running water when our power was out for 5 days!

[@C0VVB3LL]

Our power has been out since 7:30 AM due to hurricane Helena here in western North Carolina appreciate your video. It helped us get water running in the house again.

[@joseluismorales7613]

*Great solar **Generater.Systems** ! Was bought for camping and to use for a cpap machine! Worked perfectly!!*

[@DarkLotusIIV]

Still helping people 2 years later. Thanks!!!

[@edlangford5097]

Thank you! I just had a deep well dug but I can’t get electric for several weeks. You just taught a novice how to get it done!

[@TripleBlsdNHlyFvrd]

Did this work? How deep of a well are you working with?

[@Vothtrucks]

Good video. I watched because your video said " small generator " People need to know from the outset that your generator MUST HAVE 220VAC capability. ( To me a small generator is 3500Watts.) Good job

[@balfourwheatley6644]

Thank you for this(I have a 3300 watt with only 120 VAC) so I must go higher

[@1incutheta]

This something I've been going over in my head for a while. I'm glad it's as easy as I thought it would be. Thanks for this!

[@johndeerefarmer4483]

Thanks for the video. The only thing wrong is that since a pump is at depth in the well it takes way more current to run it. Imagine a pump 500' deep in the ground and the head pressure it has to overcome to get water to the surface.

[@chriscollins9877]

This guy saved my life, God love ya buddy!

[@YayaOrchid]

i have a dedicated power source and panel for my well pump house only. In my well house I have a 1HP booster pump, water softener system and a 1.5 HP well pump. What size generator do I need? Internet specifies between 5K and 10K starting watts. Thanks for your videos very informative.

[@rongray4118]

Hey, Grant - I just picked up a RedLion 3Wire and I need to install a 14-30 plug for our generator. Unit came with a Control Box - guess we'll install it after we have built a pumphouse for the wellhead. Thanks for the assistance! I need to install footings and mix cement for concrete footings.

[@Gruuvin1]

I've got red, black, and green coming out of the pump. Obviously red and black are hot1 and hot2, and green is wired from the pump as either ground or neutral.... and I wasn't sure which. Had my four-prong L14-30 plug ready to go and didn't know if I should wire green to ground or neutral on the plug. You made it very clear. Thanks!

[@bradcaddell1496]

This is not a water pump it's a 4, 000 credit to generator I need to know the one automatic coming from the 220 going through the generator itself

[@Gruuvin1]

@@bradcaddell1496 your comment makes very little sense.

[@buddycarmine2254]

Did you have any idea with hooking it up? What size generator was you using?

[@MC-hs4mf]

@@bradcaddell1496 auto correct ?

[@MC-hs4mf]

@@bradcaddell1496 or drunk?

[@1010109999999]

Thank you so much for helping you are so funny I like the way you explain things just this is what it is👍

[@ogaranhaodefortaleza]

Less whining about customers lack of knowledge and more straight explanation

[@TunnelRat2]

Perfect! Just what I needed. Thanks

[@philipdamask2279]

How do you meter the energy consumption of a well pump? This is usefull for determining battery sizing for solar systems.

[@ichiebutt187ify]

The pump should tell you how much power it draws when running. The rest will depend on how often you the pump to determine consumption over time.

[@stonesourG6]

I’ve seen another video where they had the plug from the generator going into a designated circuit breaker “disconnect” box, with a single “double pole” circuit breaker. They had the cord, from the generator hooked to the “line” of the breaker. Then they hooked the pump to the load side of that circuit breaker. Is that necessary? I’ve hooked mine up “EXACTLY” how you have done it here. I’ve never had any kind of overload protection in between. This other video said, that if I don’t, then the generator or the pump is at risk of blowing up. I find this hard to believe, with what I know. What do you think about that? I’d like your feedback on that. Great video, BTW!! I’ve done the same, in the past, a few tones, way you have done it here, and I’ve had no problems at all.

[@thearmoniaband9189]

Very good video. Could a guy use a 20amp 240 volt outlet as well? Thanks

[@halaunic1]

Good teacher thanks for your video it was helpful I was woundering how to run my well pump in a power outage thanks

[@Elisondorodriguez24]

Good ilustración ❤

[@nc4tn]

Leave it up to the good upstate folks of the 864 area code to get things done when SHTF!

[@easttnscott7629]

Some have said I need a breaker between pump and generator. Would breaker on generator be enough? If I wanted this setup but also wanted to run off regular power what switch would I need to switch between generator and electric system power. Thanks awesome video.

[@bigpardner]

I am now shopping for generator and am wondering why I can't simply cut wire to pump/tank pressure switch at appropriate place and wire in plug (as at 1:35) and receptacle. When power goes out then unplug line from service panel and plug into cord from generator. My concern is like yours, would I need some protection in this line or is breaker in generator? Close up of this generator at 4:18 says 25 AMP. This means generator has breaker that will open if current exceeds 25 amp? I don't even know what amp the pump requires and what should not be exceeded.

[@MrBig617]

Do you need an inverter or waveform style generator, or is a normal construction generator fine? I wouldn't want to do damage to my well pump.

[@Sertao2013]

Should I put a ground rod in the ground and connect the generator to the ground rod ?

[@rollingcabin4550]

Beat damn instructional video ever!!

[@nickslingerland4155]

Your funny brother, stay well. Thanks

[@arnoldralph6367]

I have found a well on the land I just bought. Looks like there’s a 10 inch pipe coming out of the ground with a 9 inch interior white PVC pipe coming up through that 10 inch I’m just guessing on the inches anyway then on top of that it looks like it’s the seal to cut the two sides with the four bolts in it pipe with a cap on top and an outlet on the side then there’s four wires that come out there’s a small white one and three larger white ones which ones go where?

[@wesleywells7644]

Have a breaker at house from main power. Not meter there anymore can I take wire from breaker and put plug on ther?

[@user-sw6bw9vy2g]

I'm a new home owner to a well system with a 15' dug well. My pump is indoors. We are prone to power failures here where I live in Canada. If I use this setup to my generator, what do you recommend I do for the UV Sterilizer system?. It auto shuts off when the bulb needs to be changed once a year. I really appreciate your excellent video. Thanks

[@billk9628]

In your case, if I understand you correctly, you have a shallow well, or (Point well) set up. Your pump is above ground as well as your pressure tank. Assuming( I hate this) I am correct, first you need to read your label on your pump to determine what voltage you have. In America we have both 110AC and 230AC volt pumps. Either way, your pump will have specifications printed on the side( tag) and this will help you figure out your power needs. You can take that info to any electrician and they can guide you in the right direction.

[@user-sw6bw9vy2g]

@@billk9628 thank you sir. I really appreciate all your help. Merry Christmas to you and yours.

[@BRWfilms]

Thanks for this.

[@larrycochrane1407]

Thanks for the info

[@wanderingwade8877]

This helped me. Thanks!

[@allendiaz5176]

What about a 3-wire motor? It has two hots, a neutral and a ground. Do you use the silver prong then?

[@toshi240]

You wire a 3 wire pump into a control box then wire the generator to the control box

[@candaceseayfolks7954]

Much appreciated ❤

[@michaelvaughn4449]

Do you need the ground plug or can it be deleted?? Mine keeps tripping my breaker on the generator??

[@MommaDiPrepping]

How many watts solar generator will be required for a submersible pump

[@Jimbo943]

Hiya.... I have a 3 phase pump and panel.... is it possible to use a single phase generator to run the 3 phase pump/well ?

[@scottumland618]

Is there a way to connect the power so it works the pump pressure switch. If I wire in a plug between the panel and the pressure switch and turn off the breaker when we need to run the generator would that work?

[@Deveak]

Dumb question, I have a two wire pump with the ground at the well. It’s probably 1000 ft from the house. Does a 120 volt pump gone in two wire configuration? I’m rethinking my set up but limited with only two wires turn the hill.

[@bladeslicemaster5390]

What do you mean?

[@Deveak]

@@bladeslicemaster5390 I have two wires going down my hill. The ground is at the well head. I had a 240 2 wire pump, trying to see if a 120 volt pump will work on two wires. I think add I but not sure.

[@bladeslicemaster5390]

@@Deveak 120v can use 2 wires, the hot and neutral. It doesn't need a ground to work, the ground is there for safety. Does that answer your question?

[@Deveak]

@@bladeslicemaster5390 yes thank you.

[@supercobrajetjim8615]

What minimum size generator is required to run a well pump like the one you showed or demonstrated in the video thanks I have a Generac 6500 with the built-in 230 V 30 amp outlet

[@williamsteinhour4876]

As big as you can afford 6500 starting watts minimum. Preferably 8500

[@billjones5178]

Maybe a dumb question, but can I run my 220 volt sub pump 7 amp off my 3000 watt Honda inverter 28 amp out put but rated at 110 volts, by applying 110 volts to each side of the line 1 line 2 (or 220 volt input leads to the pump) This is only for dire emergency, as I have the generator, and in 10 years I have never need 220 volts out. But will this work ?

[@bladeslicemaster5390]

No. You must have 240v generator.

[@stevenbowles2068]

thanks folk 🌎 situation gettin kinda sticky🙈

[@Tilley52]

I've got 2 240 legs (240) leg to leg or 240 leg to ground going to my pump, generator makes 2 120(leg to neutral) or 240 leg to leg. Wire that up?

[@PennsylvaniaPrepper]

Is there a way to install the generator plug and still have the ability to let the normal power run the pump so that when the power goes out, it's possible to just flip a switch to go from main to backup power safely and without any problems once the power comes back on?

[@tooluser]

yes, ONLY if you install a $$$ transfer switch. That is so you don't electrocute power line workers or burn out your equipment when your power comes back on. Cheaper but less safe is to install a plug & outlet going to your pump; then you can unplug pump when the power goes out and plug into your powered generator cable.

[@sparks6316]

@@tooluser If you wire in an outlet to the pump junction box(normally in the pump house near the pump and downstream from the pump house breaker box) couldn't you simply flip the main breaker off in the pump house while running the generator hooked to said outlet when the power is out as Pensylvania Prepper describes? Then there would be no issue with electrical workers or burning something up?

[@bradcaddell1496]

Red green white black wire coming from the 220 need to know the wiring schematic for the outlet plug on a predator 4000 generator

[@bradcaddell1496]

The first outlet is hot I need to know the wine going to the second Allen it is not there and I'm replacing the ticket outlet so I need to wire it up completely

[@bradcaddell1496]

I need to know how to wires go from the first outlet to the second outlet to make it hot

[@wilmorris8335]

Grant, this isn't my typical setup. You didn't wire into a tank. Where's the pressure tank at? I don't see a pressure tank. Also, why in carnation did you drill a well inside the garage?

[@MC-hs4mf]

#sArcasm

[@MC-hs4mf]

Lol😂

[@tearav3]

Why in carnation 😆😆 was that on purpose or not

[@FirstnameLastname-qc3xx]

You would think by now the standard would be to have an outlet you can just plug into the main house source and plug into a generator..

[@franklee2683]

It's called a transfer switch.

[@lovieburton1407]

I have a 8750 generator is starts look, but want pull anything. Not even a small water pump

[@barnabedmatos6796]

Wouldn’t you burn the pump if your pump is wired but not the pressure switch??

[@BRWfilms]

Pretend he is wiring to pressure switch

[@thisis5123]

Thanks for showing this. I need about 90 psi for an RO filter. and since im running rainwater through it, I am starting with basically zero psi. So i want to put a well pump into my rain water tank, to get the pressure needed to run the Ro filter. I've never seen a well pump running above ground like this to see it working in relatively shallow water like that. The other option is to get a one of those booster pumps they use for Soft Washing. Benefit of that is the pump can be fed with a hose, with a well pump i would have to have the pump actually in the tank itself.

[@thisis5123]

For fun, I'd like to see it connected to a narrow hose nozzle to get that same 10 GPM or whatever but forced out at high pressure, because these pumps can easily reach 150PSI running at ground level. Normally they still have to make 40-50psi even after pushing water up 100ft+ out of a deep well. So you would get even more pressure using it without the elevation.

[@paulmaxwell8851]

Are you sure you need 90 psi? My under-sink RO system runs at 50 psi and will work down to about 40 psi. I also have a permeate pump, which is powered by the water pressure itself. Google it. I can't remember the brand, but it cost about $60. It greatly improves performance. Don't use a submersible pump unless you really need that high pressure.. It needs a minimum head or back-pressure to protect the light-duty upthrust bearing. These pumps are really designed to lift water a considerable distance. Buy an above-ground booster pump. I have a nice one in stainless steel, and I think I paid about $350. My two cents. Good luck!

[@brennenbartlettphotography1576]

You didn’t show any of the actual wiring. What do you do with the unused wire from the plug? How about wiring a circuit breaker or control box? Any tips on using a three wire well pump with an external control box?

[@WendellLeeWellServices]

The wire from the plug goes to the well pump. I mention it in the video that I wasn't wiring to a pressure switch for video purposes. Normally the wire from the plug goes to a pressure switch, then from the switch to the pump. For your three wire pump questions, I suggest you watch our video on 2 wire versus 3 wire well pump motors. This will illustrate the differences in wiring between the two motors.

[@RETRIBUTION_TIME]

5:34 That's what she said...

[@heatherjoachin554]

Thanks so much.. love it.

[@jasonpanozzo3317]

Thanks man

[@ApEsXiT]

You da man!

[@dubas1974]

Thanks dude.

[@marcosalazar842]

I bought a 3400 watt Champion generator . This has a 30 amp 125 volt outlet , instead of the outlet you showed in this video. What can I do? Do I need a bigger generator with the 4 pin outlet? My idea was to connect the well pump directly to the generator as your video shows. Thanks. I would appreciate your suggestions.

[@tooluser]

Yes, you will need a different and or larger generator that has 240 volt output. Your current gen can handle any 120v appliance that draws up to 30 amp. It's the volts that matter in this case.

[@marcosalazar842]

thanks for the advice.

[@yorktown2203]

@@tooluser wud not 230 volt output work ?

[@bigpardner]

The wire from my pump to the pressure switch has only two wires, no ground, although the wire itself looks like it has two more wires that were cut and not used. The wire coming from the breaker box to the switch has two hot and a ground, the ground wire being connected to what I guess is a ground screw on the switch. Since the pump has worked fine the nineteen years we have lived here, and before that, I guess there is no problem, but I just wonder why there is no ground wire from the pump?

[@stonesourG6]

Your pump “should” be grounded. In the case of lightning, it could fry your pump.

[@maryalobo1287]

CAN YOU RUN A DC PUMP FROM GENERATOR?

[@brianbiggs3484]

👍👍🇨🇦✌️🇨🇦✌️ Enjoy your expertise

[@mrnicoraable]

You didn't show how to wire the plug though, that's what I need

[@lizhale7572]

Thanks

[@nataliehunt1125]

what gauge wire ?

[@sergiocastillo6310]

What would be the wire to use to run from pressure tank to breaker for permanent use?

[@stonesourG6]

10/2 with a ground. So a white, black, and bare (for the ground wire). You do t need 3 wire, as there is no neutral in the 230V pump.

[@lasinmt106]

I've been running about for over a year trying to figure out how to wire say the power bank batteries of the Goal Zero up to 240V or ok 230V as demonstrated here to power both our furnace sump pump and our Well. We do not have a holding tank our well pump is 2 years old and newer set up without a holding tank. Anyway I invested in the Goal Zero expensive power bank batteries a total of 4 and we already had the original Goal zero 1400 lithium solar battery thinking we could use it to keep all trickle charged year round pretty much. The idea was keeping the LP Lennox furnace blower working during power outages and it requires a sump pump to work also. I also was under the impression that the well was on 110 or 120 and so we could continue to flush toilets and run a small amount of water to cook with and do dishes if need be too. (We were not looking to heat our water heaters or run all our lights etc. Basically one room with one computer/wifi etc. would be ideal and our land phone along with the furnace and well. ) Of course first thing we discovered was the well is 240 next the sump pump too. SOOO that put a wrench so to speak in my pursuit of things. The sump pump is in basement with no fresh air available and no port to bring in extension cords from a generator set up outdoors. The well is wired to inside the house circut board too. So ideal would have been the Goal Zero 4 circut system. I called an electrcian that advertises in our rural area but they have never returned calls or called back. I did not leave info about what the job was just that we were looking to hire an electrcian for a small job at our home. He's advertised as doing small jobs and so you would think he would at least return calls even if just to say he's too booked. So meantime we are trying to figure out if it's possible to turn another set of Goal zero power bank batteries and 4 circut box into stand alone for the two 240V circuts. These operate by turning on each individual switch so you have some options here. Say in summer we do not need to run the furnace or the sump pump then but may want to redirect or turn on a circut for the freezer that in the winter we wouldn't need being out in the unheated garage. Anyway we get nibbles of insight here and there that it can be done just never enough to figure it all out on our own. We are capable of setting up the Goal Zero's first set of 4 batteries and 4 circuit system to run 4 circuts about the home. However really we don't need lights or microwaves or garage door openers that so many people feel the need to connect to or hot water heaters. BUT we would like to flush the toilets, run small amount of water as needed and run the furnace motor fan and the sump pump which is citical to the furnace. Also of course we can easily set up to have power to one computer and wifi zone and land lines which ours has 6 6 satelites about older 3 story home that's almost impossible to rewire. We do have whole house surge protection too. We live in a rural area of NW MT and it's difficult to find journeymen available or available for small jobs like this. And I might say reliable professionals too as some have had poor attitudes while others like those who put in our well and built an addtion to garage etc. did fantastic professional work. By the way Goal Zero is not at all helpful. They just keep saying hire an electrcian and no don't even think about using their products to run 240V circuts one or two. Nice to see this video that lets folks know how to wire or rewire their generator to run a 230 sump pump in power outages. I was hoping he'd go into the SOLAR a bit as he mentioned it. I do not intend to run the Goal Zero 1400 via solar to charge the storage batteries however in an extended power outage in spring through late summer we might have enough sun to recharge the 1400. I definitely have 40 foot extension cords from the light weight 100 watt solar panels and 30 foot cords for the 120 Watt or 60 Watt portable commercial solar panels by allspower. I made the two 50 Watt light weight book folding style solar panel myself over 6 years ago and it's worked great ever since. So it's possible but the house is not set up at all for actually getting solar coverage to the Goal Zero. Though in an emergency holes I suppose could be introduced through walls but until that day we are not looking at it as an option. The Goal zero itself is suppose to keep the storage batteries topped off and it'self via house AC. Like I said I would be happy to add 2-4 more storage batteries and another Goal Zero 4 circut exchange to do a stand alone set up for 240V two circuts only. But like I said I'm not finding out what I really need to insure I get there. Someone on Amazon did tell me to just change out the plugs in the circut box and maybe it is that simple. But this is where I really need a reliable source to back that up like an electrcian. My husband who is excellent at electronic and circut boards and even some rewireing over the years is now into his 80's and this is a bit out of his comfort zone too. I'd love to say "it can't be that hard can it?" Stay safe everyone and thank you for your video input. Every bit helps.

[@RobinatorsPlace]

why dont I think of this stuff? I can do the same thing with a compressor

[@ByronCbyzi4]

Skipped showing the whole closeup of the working….

[@bradcaddell1496]

4000 pregnancy generator two wiring matic on the outlets

[@bradcaddell1496]

It has a red wire a black wi

[@jdturnerconstruction]

Calling you tomorrow. I live in Greer SC and have a well on a lot we bought

[@michaelbackman5929]

All plugs don't have a silver leg just all brass

[@theexisting1197]

I don't know how people are saying good job when it shows not much of nothing you talk and then show the set up already done,,

[@philipdamask2279]

You are starting up a pump with no back pressure or significant well depth.

[@brucea822]

work on improving your audio volume. Your videos are great, but hear to hear at least for me. Thank you

[@1010109999999]

Please don't be rude to him he's only trying to help because if you knew what to do and I know what to do we wouldn't have to watch this video just turn it up and listen to it the best you can

[@jahnkaplank8626]

ok so the generator actually put out 230V...

[@jonerton67]

Welp, that didn't work