back up sump pump

[Mister G]

Your back up generator is a super idea (as long as your sump pump doesn't fail). Personally I think they are nice to have but how often would you ever really use it? I have a 6500 watt generator sitting here, house is all wired up for it and it will do everything I need if we have a power failure. It has been sitting here for 5 years and so far it has had about two hours use.

 

I do think you would be better looking at alternatives other than the back up generator.

Actually a back up generator like you have is a excellent idea on top of the water driven pump and MUCH cheaper then a auto run generator running on natural gas or propane.

 

We also have one and I believe it's also a 6500 watt start up, 5500 running generator. I had the house wired to accept a huge 30 amp feed line to the bottom of my main fuse box and will run the complete house.......however, I never tried to run the central air with it YET.

[wormdunker]

Thanx Mister G - My instructions say to use 1/2" supply line but 3/4" is preferred. Yup, I will definitely follow their instructions. I'm not one of those guys - "If all else fails, read the instructions" LOL!

[Mister G]

The 3/4" feed line gives you much more water flow and pressure that will overcome lifting the water out of the sump hole and up above your grade as well as sending it on it's way to wherever you are pumping it to.

[aplumma]

Check with the local plumbing codes to see if a backflow preventer is needed to keep you from contaminating your water supply when using the water pump systems.

 

 

 

glad you have the answers you needed to make your decisions.

 

 

Art

[G.mech]

Actually a back up generator like you have is a excellent idea on top of the water driven pump and MUCH cheaper then a auto run generator running on natural gas or propane.

 

We also have one and I believe it's also a 6500 watt start up, 5500 running generator. I had the house wired to accept a huge 30 amp feed line to the bottom of my main fuse box and will run the complete house.......however, I never tried to run the central air with it YET.

The electrical code requires that you use an approved manual transfer switch to switch between utility and generator power so that there is no way both can be turned on at the same time. Your generator can backfeed onto the grid and is dangerous for hydro workers not to mention what will happen to your generator if the main power comes back on while the genny is on line. They aren't really expensive but can be a pain to hook up.

[Mister G]

The electrical code requires that you use an approved manual transfer switch to switch between utility and generator power so that there is no way both can be turned on at the same time. Your generator can backfeed onto the grid and is dangerous for hydro workers not to mention what will happen to your generator if the main power comes back on while the genny is on line. They aren't really expensive but can be a pain to hook up.

YES, it's wire to code.

[wormdunker]

Wow - lots of valuable info right here with the guys I trust. It's one thing to go into a store & they tell you it's a good unit, but, a totally different story coming from people who have actual experience with a certain item. Thanx a bunch!

[Big Cliff]

The electrical code requires that you use an approved manual transfer switch to switch between utility and generator power so that there is no way both can be turned on at the same time. Your generator can backfeed onto the grid and is dangerous for hydro workers not to mention what will happen to your generator if the main power comes back on while the genny is on line. They aren't really expensive but can be a pain to hook up.

Mine cost me $300.00 parts and labor to have an electrician hook it all up.