Good vid! Only downside....when you run the line directly to your generator...you bypass the breakers. Without breakers....if there is trouble with the generator, or well pump, or pressure switch....you could burn something up. So, in an emergency or SHTF....it would indeed work, but you don't have the safety that the breakers provide. But, like I say....during an emergency....would give you water. Good vid!
@@livewithsamyoder7465 Ok...then just be careful not to backfeed your house panel then...that might be bad. I am sure these are the things some of the guys you talked to were trying to explain to you or when you about. No biggee, and not trying to troll ya at all...but I bet money several will watch this video and do what you did...except they won't know about backfeeding, or bypassing breakers. No biggee....just a heads up. Thanks for taking the time!
@@livewithsamyoder7465 OK, watched the video again. Makes sense now.......just commented since at first glance.....looked really easy to do it wrong. My fault for not watching more carefully. Oh, BTW...yep I went through 3 days of no power where I am at too. Suked. 😉
Thank you! I have been watching dozens of videos about transfer switches, interlock kits, battery backups, solar, etc. I got a good belly laugh from this video. I was, as usual, way over-thinking it. This is the super-easy, super-simple way. I plan to do the same thing. And, I'm going to store my generator inside the well house (which has a lockable door). I'm looking at ways to route the exhaust outside. Then I can run the generator inside the insulated walls where it will be fairly quiet.
Generators will usually have a 125/240 turn key 4 pin plug that as long as you spread your load correctly, a 1/2 horse well needs 2,000 watts,.. 1,000 running and 1,000 startup watts. So, a 2200-watt generator will run only 1 well pump.
This is the absolute simplest way to do it. What's better is that this can even be done in a pinch when the power is already out. And what's even better is there is no way to accidentally back feed the grid.
Yes! That was my whole reason for wanting to do it this way was to make sure it can't backfeed.. several people told me there's no way to do it glad I figured it out thank you for watching.
Good way to get water in a pinch that is not hazardous to line workers. I would just put a 30amp sub panel between the generator plug and pressure switch. Then you have a safe system on both your well pump and generator. When all is said and done, you have 2 double pole break switches when normal power is running your well. 🫡
My well pump is 230 volts 7 amps. My generator ( I have to power my RV camper) is Honda 3000 watt 120 volt inverter. I want to run my pum in an emergency, CAn it be done ? ( ie. Can I apply 115 volts to both line 1 and line 2 on my 230 volt pump and make it run, or will I blow my generator or pump?
If what your using doesn't have a plug built in that says 125/240 don't try to use it for this purpose. You likely have a generator with 2 120volt gfi outlets ONLY. DON'T TRY TO MODIFY IT.
We can talk theory vs what the plug says! I see inverters (transformers) that change 240 to 120 volt and also the other way 120 to 240 volts. Numerous are for sake on internet! However when looking closer the 240 volt plug is Usually ALWAYS the European style lug plug. Their 3 lug plug is L1 240 v to N for 240 volt power In USA our 240 plug L1 & 0:05 120 V feeds to L2 @ 120 volt to give 240 volt to no neutral … So can we use European 240 to N to pump water from a submerged well 240 USA style pump that is wired at 120 L1 to 120 L2 to get water? No time for croapoka about going out in a hurricane with no power, or going to hardware for new generator . All sold out days ago! We have fire’s ablaze, animals and livestock to keep alive and feed, and humans that need a drink ! No OSHA guys here to solve problems, lives are on the line! Can we put 120 v on L1 & L2 to keep things watered so they don’t die!
@BillJones-m4g Yes. At the risk of your pump and / or generator. Modification will require a 30 amp double pole or inline 30 amp ac fuses on red and black to run safely. The startup 1,000 watt pull can easily fry the entire system. I'm not familiar with European systems or plugs. But I'm sure the principles apply. Yes,.. 2 - 120v supplies can convert to 240v. Generators usually have a built-in fuse system for the PRIMARY FUNCTION.
@BillJones-m4g FYI,.. American generator plugs are typically L14-30. If you get extension corded adaptors to 15amp outlets(typically 3 inline on the cord), any corded extension like this has a neutral contact and not 2 hots. These cords can not be modified as they are soldered and molded. You need to get the plug adaptors that can be manually modified for 2 hots, typically red and black and ground only. No neutrals to well pumps. Which is why corded adaptors from the 125/250v outlets to 120v inline won't work. You can't cut the plug off and wire a neutral (white) to red or black and expect it to draw 250v. It's only drawing 125v. Not enough to power a well pump. Had someone ask in another post about these adaptors.
My line come into a fuse box with a power cutoff switch inside the well house, then a line comes from that to the control unit on the well. Should I put the female plug on the line leaving this power cutoff box?
Lmao all you need is to cut the male end of a extension cord wire it up to your pressure switch and slap it in the generator it’s what we used to do to pump them off after setting it
Ok great understand it thanks that was very clever , now question for you ,you plug the male end of the cord coming from well housing unit into the generator so how does the generator know when to be turned on is there a contact switch in that well housing unit ?
Thank you for your question, I only use this when the power is out I don't leave it plugged in the generator. I only started the generator and ran the well to fill up water tanks etc etc and when I was done I shut the generator off.
@@livewithsamyoder7465 On some it's just a matter of moving a switch already built in the pump. But for now, just leave it alone. If it works, it works.
The recommended wire gauge for a 30 amp circuit is 10 gauge copper wire. A well is a 3 wire system with a ground. Should be red, black, white, green, or bare copper ground.
“Tahdah!” 😂 You’re the man! I’m totally doing this.
Ha appreciate it! I like simply.
Simple and Smart! Great job! Thanks for sharing what you learned!🙏🏼
Good vid! Only downside....when you run the line directly to your generator...you bypass the breakers. Without breakers....if there is trouble with the generator, or well pump, or pressure switch....you could burn something up. So, in an emergency or SHTF....it would indeed work, but you don't have the safety that the breakers provide. But, like I say....during an emergency....would give you water. Good vid!
Thank you. It actually does go through the breaker and switch. I cut the line on the side coming from the house.
@@livewithsamyoder7465 Ok...then just be careful not to backfeed your house panel then...that might be bad. I am sure these are the things some of the guys you talked to were trying to explain to you or when you about. No biggee, and not trying to troll ya at all...but I bet money several will watch this video and do what you did...except they won't know about backfeeding, or bypassing breakers. No biggee....just a heads up. Thanks for taking the time!
@@livewithsamyoder7465 OK, watched the video again. Makes sense now.......just commented since at first glance.....looked really easy to do it wrong. My fault for not watching more carefully. Oh, BTW...yep I went through 3 days of no power where I am at too. Suked. 😉
What about the breakers that are built into the generator??
@@projectdad6561 generators have built in overload breakers! The good ones do anyway?
This is genius, first time I have seen this done and I think I am going to do this.
Damn genius. Why the hell didn't I think of that. Thanks. I'm on it tomorrow
You might have just saved my whole family with your thinking . Thank you sir !
Thank you! I have been watching dozens of videos about transfer switches, interlock kits, battery backups, solar, etc. I got a good belly laugh from this video. I was, as usual, way over-thinking it. This is the super-easy, super-simple way. I plan to do the same thing. And, I'm going to store my generator inside the well house (which has a lockable door). I'm looking at ways to route the exhaust outside. Then I can run the generator inside the insulated walls where it will be fairly quiet.
Awesome I'm glad you enjoyed the video and it was helpful thank you for watching!
Hello what size of a generator do I need to turn it on ?
I love simple. Thank you
SMART!! Thanks!
Wow, thanks buddy, very simple hookup. You explained and made a great video. Thanks buddy from North Carolina!
Wow, this is the best video on how to hook up and well to a generator so far. Amazing simple! Thank you sir!!!!
If people don’t understand after you’ve said it 14 times, they def shouldn’t be attempting it
You didnt show how to wire the plugs?
@@mikelopez4470 that should the pretty self-explanatory
This is why cheap, reliable, and safe transfer switches were invented. I don't get the point of this.
So will the generator produce 220 power? Or how does that work
@@toddneihaus4902 the one I used had enough power yes.
I would recommend checking with a well company and see what you need to power your well though.
Generators will usually have a 125/240 turn key 4 pin plug that as long as you spread your load correctly, a 1/2 horse well needs 2,000 watts,.. 1,000 running and 1,000 startup watts.
So, a 2200-watt generator will run only 1 well pump.
This is genius. Best and most simple way I’ve seen so far.
Thank you
Great job😁 thank you for making a video that's simply to do🙃 I'm going to do exactly what you did😁
Awesome ,Thanks 👍
Tomorrow will be day 5 without hydro 😪
I will be using this method...
Thanks.
This is the absolute simplest way to do it.
What's better is that this can even be done in a pinch when the power is already out.
And what's even better is there is no way to accidentally back feed the grid.
Yes! That was my whole reason for wanting to do it this way was to make sure it can't backfeed.. several people told me there's no way to do it glad I figured it out thank you for watching.
So it goes out from here, into this, then here, into this. Tadaa
Good vid, I thought that would work, thanks for keeping it to point
I did something similar with my boiler. Very easy, and effective.
FYI, it’s a pressure switch.
Is the male & female plug you bought a 110 or 220? Home Depot?
Well pumps are 220 volt, so you need 220v plugs, sometimes they say 230v just to be confusing
220
Yea Great Information!@👍
Absolutely Brilliant!@ 👏
Great idea, so simple.
Good way to get water in a pinch that is not hazardous to line workers.
I would just put a 30amp sub panel between the generator plug and pressure switch.
Then you have a safe system on both your well pump and generator.
When all is said and done, you have 2 double pole break switches when normal power is running your well.
🫡
Keep it simple is best.eyeryone has to complicate everything thanz
My well pump is 230 volts 7 amps. My generator ( I have to power my RV camper) is Honda 3000 watt 120 volt inverter. I want to run my pum in an emergency, CAn it be done ? ( ie. Can I apply 115 volts to both line 1 and line 2 on my 230 volt pump and make it run, or will I blow my generator or pump?
I can't answer that question I'm not very electronically inclined.
The generator I use is a powerhorse 11, 000 Watt
If what your using doesn't have a plug built in that says 125/240 don't try to use it for this purpose.
You likely have a generator with 2 120volt gfi outlets ONLY.
DON'T TRY TO MODIFY IT.
We can talk theory vs what the plug says!
I see inverters (transformers) that change 240 to 120 volt and also the other way 120 to 240 volts. Numerous are for sake on internet!
However when looking closer the 240 volt plug is Usually ALWAYS the European style lug plug. Their 3 lug plug is L1 240 v to N for 240 volt power
In USA our 240 plug L1 & 0:05 120 V feeds to L2 @ 120 volt to give 240 volt to no neutral …
So can we use European 240 to N to pump water from a submerged well 240
USA style pump that is wired at 120 L1 to 120 L2 to get water?
No time for croapoka about going out in a hurricane with no power, or going to hardware for new generator . All sold out days ago!
We have fire’s ablaze, animals and livestock to keep alive and feed, and humans that need a drink !
No OSHA guys here to solve problems, lives are on the line!
Can we put 120 v on L1 & L2 to keep things watered so they don’t die!
@BillJones-m4g Yes. At the risk of your pump and / or generator.
Modification will require a 30 amp double pole or inline 30 amp ac fuses on red and black to run safely.
The startup 1,000 watt pull can easily fry the entire system.
I'm not familiar with European systems or plugs. But I'm sure the principles apply.
Yes,.. 2 - 120v supplies can convert to 240v.
Generators usually have a built-in fuse system for the PRIMARY FUNCTION.
@BillJones-m4g FYI,.. American generator plugs are typically L14-30.
If you get extension corded adaptors to 15amp outlets(typically 3 inline on the cord), any corded extension like this has a neutral contact and not 2 hots. These cords can not be modified as they are soldered and molded.
You need to get the plug adaptors that can be manually modified for 2 hots, typically red and black and ground only.
No neutrals to well pumps.
Which is why corded adaptors from the 125/250v outlets to 120v inline won't work.
You can't cut the plug off and wire a neutral (white) to red or black and expect it to draw 250v.
It's only drawing 125v.
Not enough to power a well pump.
Had someone ask in another post about these adaptors.
My line come into a fuse box with a power cutoff switch inside the well house, then a line comes from that to the control unit on the well. Should I put the female plug on the line leaving this power cutoff box?
"It ain't rocket surgery, son."
That's right lol
Heck yeah, cousin! That’ll do the trick.
Lmao all you need is to cut the male end of a extension cord wire it up to your pressure switch and slap it in the generator it’s what we used to do to pump them off after setting it
Doing this today!!! Thanks
Very simple, but, it seems no one is addressing the need to power your septic system if you have a mound field. IMHO Have a great day.
Same application applies.
nice setup.
Thanks for sharing 🙏
Ok great understand it thanks that was very clever , now question for you ,you plug the male end of the cord coming from well housing unit into the generator so how does the generator know when to be turned on is there a contact switch in that well housing unit ?
Thank you for your question, I only use this when the power is out I don't leave it plugged in the generator. I only started the generator and ran the well to fill up water tanks etc etc and when I was done I shut the generator off.
What size generator are you using and do you have a parts list. How well has this set up been working. Thank you in advance
My generator is a 11,000 watt electric start. Power horse generator.
It works great I only use it if the power is out.
I guess you run your water pump on 220. Why not run it on 110 and keep it simple and just plug it in.
Great question I'm not sure it can be run off of 110 or I don't know how to do it anyway.
@@livewithsamyoder7465 On some it's just a matter of moving a switch already built in the pump. But for now, just leave it alone. If it works, it works.
Good design. I need to do this, too.
That was friggin awesome man thanks !!!
Yes sir! You're welcome.
Excellent idea
Excellent.
So I can't just plug it in
I'm not sure what the question is.
What size cable you used?
Not sure what size it is I just know it's 220 and it had I think for small wire's inside of it.
My pleasure
The recommended wire gauge for a 30 amp circuit is 10 gauge copper wire.
A well is a 3 wire system with a ground.
Should be red, black, white, green, or bare copper ground.
This works. Just did it for a few dollars. Thanks for the video.
Yes sir glad I could help.
What are those male and female adapters called?
Not sure but you can find them at and electrical place.