Portable Generator / water pump

[Puglet1]

I’m looking to buy a petrol driven generator for emergency use e.g running a couple of submersible water pumps in case of flooding (diverting flowing water from one part of the garden to another).
I don’t really understand what type of generator I’m looking for but it would need to operate during storms.
Does anyone have a setup of this kind?
Can anyone recommend a good brand/ model?
I see things like “inverter” but I haven’t a clue if it’s suitable for my purpose.

Alternatively do you think a petrol driven generator dirty water pump would be better.

In this case I would be looking to divert a high volume of water from the stream that overflows into the garden on occasions.

 

[brightspark]

if secondhand it depends on the price and availability . if u have power supply handy just buy pumps

 

[bourbon]

petrol powered pumps only do one thing. A generator and pump is more flexible.

 

[Bornfree]

You don't need an inverter generator to run water pumps. Look for one with a Honda engine and around 3kva if you're running two pumps.

 

[GRW]

Inverter Gens are often more costly, and often more fragile. An old school simple capacitor regulated frame type Honda set is about as good as it gets.
You could go ape & rig up an electric start set to be triggered by sump float switches - but unless you're very concerned about flooding while you're not at home, it's overkill.

 

[Puglet1]

if secondhand it depends on the price and availability . if u have power supply handy just buy pumps

Secondhand always sounds good to me but to prevent our property from flooding- the budget is a secondary priority.
We have a power supply but we live fairly remotely and could quite easily lose it when it is needed most - so for belt and braces I’m thinking of a separate power supply.
I already have two submersible type pumps but am looking to beef up the system.
Thank you. Pete.

 

[addjunkie]

Change the shape of the ground to divert the water, also pester environment agency to clear the stream of debris / dredge it.

 

[brightspark]

allways handy to have a portable generator i have a 3kw honda and also have a few dirty water 110 volt water pumps . best of both worlds

 

[Robotstar5]

If you plan to pump dirty water look for sludge or trash pumps as they can cope with debris in the water - example

 

[Puglet1]

petrol powered pumps only do one thing. A generator and pump is more flexible.

Yes. That sounds logical- thank you. At the moment, I have 2 pumps diverting overspill water away from the garden / house but am looking to protect myself from power cuts. I am also looking to reduce the source of our problem by diverting water from the stream so maybe both systems might apply.

 

[Puglet1]

You don't need an inverter generator to run water pumps. Look for one with a Honda engine and around 3kva if you're running two pumps.

That sounds like good advice. I’ll look out for one.

 

[Puglet1]

Inverter Gens are often more costly, and often more fragile. An old school simple capacitor regulated frame type Honda set is about as good as it gets.
You could go ape & rig up an electric start set to be triggered by sump float switches - but unless you're very concerned about flooding while you're not at home, it's overkill.

Once again. Fantastic advice which has helped immensely.

 

[Puglet1]

Change the shape of the ground to divert the water, also pester environment agency to clear the stream of debris / dredge it.

I have looked at creating a Swail but unfortunately the position of the house prevents it. The environment agency aren’t responsible for the water supply but we are dealing with the upstream issue . Thank you. Pete.

 

[Puglet1]

If you plan to pump dirty water look for sludge or trash pumps as they can cope with debris in the water - example

Thank you for your suggestion. I will take a look at at them.

 

[Puglet1]

allways handy to have a portable generator i have a 3kw honda and also have a few dirty water 110 volt water pumps . best of both worlds

Brilliant. Would you mind sharing more details about the @@0 water pumps.

 

[Gareth J]

Contrary to advice, if the only thing you need to do is pump water, a petrol water pump will be cheaper to run and buy. Would recommend the "thumper" ones with a honda engine.

If you can justify a petrol Genny for other reasons though, may as well get that.

 

[Turbo]

You will need to know what kw your existing water pumps are to get your generator size.

Buy one with a genuine honda engine on it - there are fake hondas out there that are very hard to tell from the real thing.
The petrol hondas are the most reliable small petrol engine out there. If you have it as a standby for emergencys I would suggest either store it dry with no fuel or use aspen type fuel.
Standard petrol goes stale very quickly and corrodes the internals of your carburettor.

If you are going to run it for long periods you could buy an electric start diesel genny. They are a lot cheaper to run but more expensive to buy.

 

[Agroshield]

Standard petrol goes stale very quickly and corrodes the internals of your carburettor.

An alternative to 'store it dry' is to turn off the petrol tap while it is running so the carb goes dry and hope for the best with what's in the tank.

Would super unleaded, with lower ethanol, work better than standard?

It would be good if the manufacturers incorporated a fuel drain so you could easily drain the tank for long term storage.

Would a propane one be an option?

 

[awemawson]

You need to have some estimate of the volume of water that you need to shift and the rate at which it is arriving. We have a stream that tops it’s banks once or twice a year but when it does were we to pump it the pump would need to be monumental.

 

[Agrismith]

If you plan to pump dirty water look for sludge or trash pumps as they can cope with debris in the water - example

To be honest if you are relying on it I would only want tsurumi or grundfors pumps. And whilst a centrifugal pump moves more water a sub pump is so much easier to use and can be left unattended. Centrifugal pumps are a pain if the pumps flow is greater than the water coming in as you have to let the level build then pump it down then let it build again.

Edit to say this is the ultimate pump.
No priming no damage from running dry and large solids capacity

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