You mentioned you already have a honda EU 2000...I know for a fact that you can run a Grundfos 1/2 hp 115 volt 3" SQ pump on the 2000 eu with no problems whatsoever. You can also run that same grunfos on a 1000 running / 2000 surge inverter with no problems at all. If you spend a little more on getting that pump, you won't have to buy what is sure to be a very poorly made Harbor Freight generator.
You make a very interesting point.
For some reason, I was thinking that I had to buy the wire locally (don't know why I didn't check online, brain lapse I guess) and the
largest available submersible pump wire locally is 12 ga.
And according to the Goulds specs for their 1/2 hp, 115 v, 2 wire pump, the FLA is 7.9 amps and the maximum wire run should not exceed 178'
which is just under my run of 180'. That is the reason that I thought that I needed to go with 240 volts.
But if I go with 10 ga. wire, it would be a different story.
Now, If I'm figuring this right, the total dynamic head that the pump would see for my desired 30 to 50 psi pressure
would be 173 feet (100' to pump + 4' uphill + 69'(30psi) to 219 feet (100' to pump + 4' uphill + 115'(50psi).
So, in order to keep this total dynamic head (173' to 219') within the performance curve of either a Goulds or Grundfos 1/2 hp, 115v, 2 wire pump:
The Goulds pump would be the 7gpm, mod#7GS05421C with a FLA rating of 7.9 amps and a locked rotor rating of 28 amps.
And the Grundfos pump would be the 5gpm, mod#5SQ05-180-115v with a FLA rating of 7.7 amps
and a overload (locked rotor ?) rating of 11 amps.
Now, as I mentioned, my wire run is 180'.
For the Goulds pump, their max recom. run for 12 ga. is 178', and for 10 ga. is 284'.
For the Grundfos pump, their max recom. run for 12 ga. is 220' and for 10 ga is 360'.
These figures seem a little odd, however,
since Grundfos is allowing for a longer wire run even though their pump FLA is practically the same as the Goulds.
Also, I'm confused by what Grundfos is calling the overload amps; surely this is not the locked rotor or start current,
or is it, since one of the features of the Grundos pump is stated as:
"Excellent starting capabilities
The integrated electronic unit of the motor features soft starting. Soft start reduces the starting current and thus gives the pump a smooth and steady acceleration.
The soft starter minimizes the risk of wear on the pump and prevents overloading of the mains during start-up.
The excellent starting capabilities are a result of the high locked-rotor torque of the permanent magnet motor together with the few pump stages. The high starting reliability also applies in case of low voltage supply."
At any rate, my main question is: is this model Grundfos the same one that you are referring to that you said that your Honda EU2000i
can start without any problems ?
And is their overload rating of 11 amps really the start current ?
If so, I can see how the Honda will start it with no problems.
I can't see the Honda, however, starting the Goulds pump with its 28 amp start current
(that's 3220 watts, Honda is only rated for 2000 watts surge)
One more question: Even though it appears that I might be able to use the 115v Grundfos pump successfully
and start it with the Honda, is there any major downside (besides not being able to use the Honda)
in my particular situation, for using a 115v pump rather than a 230v pump ?
Thanks,
Arky