Hi, everyone. This isn't a strictly Lister question, but I'm having a problem starting my well pump with the generator.
Here's some pics of the setup:
http://www.power-co.net/ilchris.htm.
It is a Changfa 185 engine and a Markon 3.2 KVA, 2 pole generator end. The generator is rated for 13.3A at 240V and 26.6A at 120V. It's a brushless design unit. The drive system is industrial "L" section, 6 rib belt and pulleys.
I ran it up on 120V with about 2500 watts of load, part of that being a ShopVac, and it didn't even grunt.
I installed a Gen-Tran transfer switch yesterday, and hooked everything up that I'd like to keep powered during an outage, including the well pump. The well pump is a Franklin 3/4 HP, 2 wire, 240V pump. It's down about 140 feet.
So, to test the pump, I run the generator up to about 3650 rpm, which is about 1900 on the engine. I have all transfer switch loads off, and hit the pump breaker. The meters both peg for each leg and the generator loads down a bit, and the pump just grunts and won't start. I'm not sure if the drive belt is slipping or not, but it's properly tightened.
I know it's all wired correctly and I'm getting solid 240V from the generator. The pump is rated at 6.5A running current, so I have double that from the generator, not taking into account starting currents. The generator should be good for 26A at 240 for peak motor starting.
I didn't put a meter on the line to see how far the generator loaded down, as I didn't want to fry the pump or blowout the thrust bearing, but it's definitely loading down by judging how the few electronic ballast fluorescents dimmed down while trying to start the pump.
Looking at the Franklin literature, it does appear my generator is marginal for starting a 2-wire, 240V pump. If it was a 3-wire pump I'd be OK. Not knowing the difference between 2 and 3 wire, 240V pumps (not 1 vs. 3 phase, either), I don't know if there is anything to add (like the motor starting 'boosters') to help out the starting of the pump.
It's kind of a bummer, as that was the whole reason I built this generator up. The gen head I already had for several years at another house, but needed a bigger engine to get the most of it. Now it appears that I need a bigger gen head to go with the 185!
Thanks for any help, gang!
Chris