skip to main content

Electrical Wiring

Can I run a 1/3 hp utility pump off a UPS?

14 years ago

Can I use an uninterrupible power supply used for offices (865W 1500VA) to keep a 1/3 hp portable submersible utility pump running in case of power failure? Pump power is rated at 115V, 60 Hz. 15 Amps

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (10)

brickeyee
14 years ago
15 amps * 120 V = 1800 V-A
davidandkasie
14 years ago
you need a LARGE UPS, and one designed to run motors. it has to handle the startup current rush as well as the running load.
Related Discussions
18.5 hp Briggs with tank above....can I disconnect fuel pump
Q
Comments (14)
***"replaced needle and seat but its still happening.....even tho I have a fuel shutoff installed"*** OK, I refer to the last sentence in the post above: "even tho I have a fuel shutoff installed". In that statement, are you saying that you actually installed an inline, manually operated.........fuel shutoff valve? Or are you saying that the carburetor HAS a fuel shutoff valve already incorporated into it? If you mean that you installed an "inline fuel shutoff valve", and the crankcase continues to be filling with gasoline.............then you are either NOT shutting off the valve.............or the valve itself is defective..............or (least likely) you installed the valve between the pump and the carb, and a defective pump is leaking gas into the crankcase. Proper placement of an inline shutoff valve is somewhere between the fuel tank and the fuel filter (this placement also allows for easier replacement of fuel filter in the future). Now, if you meant that the carburetor already has a fuel shutoff valve in it.......................you have fallen into the trap of thinking the device is a "total fuel shutoff valve" along with many other people. The fuel solenoid valve (on carburetors so equipped) DOES NOT shut off all fuel. It only shuts off fuel to the MAIN JET, the pilot or idle jet can still pass a very small volume of fuel............and this small volume of fuel flow will still "drown" an engine crankcase in fuel while the machine is not running....if there is a defect in the needle and seat components. The fuel solenoid is actually called an "anti-afterfire" solenoid valve and its sole purpose is to minimize the occurrence loud backfire bang out the exhaust when shutting down the engine.
...See More
Sizing a pump for Drip Irrigation - Can I use a 1.5 HP, 2" outlet
Q
Comments (1)
MB, Here is how I would look at this problem. 1. What is the water demand per day or week for your plants at maturity? My general estimate is about 1.0 gal per plant per week. If very arid climate say1.5 gal per week for 200 plants is 300 gal per week. That is equivalent to one of your tanks which is good storage capacity. Do you produce 300 gal per week in rainfall? 2. You need to find out the flow and pressure of your 1.5 HP pump. The outlet size does not matter at this point. The smaller the pipe size the more velocity in the pipe. Velocity is only harmful when it exceeds 5 fps and can cause water hammer(blowouts). You can look up a 1.5 hp pump that is similar to yours on Google and see what the pressure is. The pressure is important because you are using it directly for drip. 3. Size a pump that would put out 150 gals for 25 mins. That would be a 6-10 gpm pump with 10-15 psi operating pressure. I bet your pool pump would be a lot more than that. You probably would need a pressure reducer on you pool pump. and gate valve to restrict flow. 4. Let us know what you find out or have more questions. 5. Aloha
...See More
1.5hp 2-speed pump for 8k gallons? and...
Q
Comments (5)
cissado- If I were making this decision, here's what I would do. Get a quoation for the variable speed installed and a quotation for the 2 speed installed. Knowing this cost difference, then calculate how much money the variable speed will save over the 2 speed each year to find out how many years you will have to operate the variable speed pump for it to return your investment. From previous threads on this forum, the variable speed at lower speed will use about 300-500 watts. A smaller 2 speed at low speed will use about 600-700 watts. Using your local electricity rate ($/KWH) multiplied by KWH saved per week multiplied by the number of hours ran per week at low speed will give an estimate how much money saved per week and how many weeks it will take to recover the extra cost for the variable speed. In my case, I went with a 2 HP 2 speed over the variable speed because it would have taken over 10 years to recover the extra cost of the variable speed at $.07/KWH electricity rate. At higher speeds, the variable speed will use about the same energy as a 2 speed so this should not be included in your calculation, especially since high speed will only be used for short durations each day. Also keep in mind, with an AG pool, how many years do you think you will operate the pool.....be honest with yourself when pondering this question. Hope this helps.
...See More
IntelliFlo 4x160 vs. 1.5hp pump- does it really save you money?
Q
Comments (5)
To all, It is with great hesitation that I post this information as you are here to enjoy your pool not get all tied up in technicalities. Like you I do not want to hear how the watch is made when I ask what time it is but due to the incredible amount of questions on IntelliFlo and the national concern on energy costs I am offering the following information. The Pump Affinity Law is not my law or PentairÂs Law it is physics and hydraulics laws. It is what happens to pumps, water and power when pumps operate at different speeds Pump Affinity Law Speed1 = Flow1 Speed2 Flow2 (Flow is Â½ than high speed) Speed1= (Pressure1)2 (Pressure is squared 2x2x2) Speed2 (Pressure2)2 (Pressure is squared 2x2x2) Speed1= (Power1)3 (Power consumed is cubed 2x2x2x2) Speed2 (Power2)3 (Power consumed is cubed 2x2x2x2) Now because of my inability to understand math in any version I have translated the formulas above to something I can understand: LIGHT BULBS !! EXAMPLE Â At 3450 RPMÂs you have a flow of 66 GPM. You use 2,000 watts at this RPM (20 100 watt light bulbs) If the RPM speed is reduced in half to 1725 RPMÂs, per the formula above, the flow is Â½ (33 GPMÂs). But your power consumes is 1/8th at high speed (cubed) . Also please note my just reducing the RPMÂs from 3,450 by just 450 RPMÂs the energy consumes is almost cut in half. Speed Flow Power (100 Watt Light Bulbs) RPM GPM WATTS 3450 66 2000 (20 light bulbs) 3000 55 1157 (11.5 light bulbs) 2400 44 593 (6 light bulbs) 1725 33 250 (3 light bulbs) 1200 22 74 (1 light bulb) 600 11 9 (about a 10 watt bulb) The point of this is you can know see the amazing savings by a pump that can do various speeds. Deek
...See More
tjohn
Original Author
14 years ago
Thank you !!
tjohn
Original Author
14 years ago
OMG! UPS's in that range are like $500. Is there any cheaper solution for me. My problem is I have a drain in front of my garage that when overtaken starts flooding my garage and if it gets bad enough would eventually flood my downstairs as my garage floor is about 8 inches below downstairs slab. If power goes out during a lightning storm and I need to use the pump I'm in trouble. :(
brickeyee
14 years ago
Get a 12 V or 24 V DC pump and some deep cycle marine batteries.
joed
14 years ago
If you are on city water there are water driven sump pumps you can get.
tjohn
Original Author
14 years ago
Not on city water.

Brickeyee, I've found some sites that sell those batteries. They look like car batteries with + and - terminals. How would I hook a pump up to one?
jake2007
14 years ago
A UPS that would do what you need for more than about 10 minutes would cost a lot more than $500. UPS's are designed to keep electronic equipment going for brief amounts of time without any interruption.

A backup sump pump kit, without the battery, is around $500. A battery will add another $150. This is for a kit that will actually move some water with a 10' head. The advantage is that they are designed to do exactly this with no intervention. BTW: this is cheap compared to a flooded garage and/or home.

For the same money or a little more, you might also consider a portable generator. You could use that to run a standard pump (and possibly the fridge). It would require user intervention though.
weedmeister
14 years ago
I believe Brick is talking about getting a 2nd pump that is DC powered. You can find these in various sizes at any marine supply store (WestMarine). You can power this 2nd pump with any 'deep-cycle' battery. These batteries are readily available from the marine store (more expensive) or a place that sells batteries for campers (I've seen these at Costco). You would then activate this second pump using a float switch located above the normal level that the normal pump activates.
brickeyee
14 years ago
"I believe Brick is talking about getting a 2nd pump that is DC powered. You can find these in various sizes at any marine supply store (WestMarine). You can power this 2nd pump with any 'deep-cycle' battery. These batteries are readily available from the marine store (more expensive) or a place that sells batteries for campers (I've seen these at Costco). You would then activate this second pump using a float switch located above the normal level that the normal pump activates."

That is correct.
You will also need a float charger to keep the batteries charged.
Car batteries are optimized for extremely high currents for running the starter motor and not for lower currents for longer times.
Deep cycle batteries are designed for lower current longer load discharge cycles.

A float charger will keep the battery charged as long as AC power is available without over charging and damaging the battery. Make sure you get one that can be left connected even when the battery is supplying power to a load, most are but not all.

Related Stories

BOOKS Can Tidying Up Result in Life-Changing Magic?

By Mary Jo Bowling

Organizing phenom Marie Kondo promises big results — if you embrace enormous changes and tough choices

GREEN BUILDING Off the Grid: Ready to Pull the Plug on City Power?

By Jen Dalley //

What to consider if you want to stop relying on public utilities — or just have a more energy-efficient home

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz TV: See a Modern Family Farmhouse That Can Pick Up and Move

By Vanessa Brunner

In the latest episode of Houzz TV, watch California architect build a beautifully practical cabin to jumpstart his parents' new farm

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: Off the Grid in the Remote Washington Wilderness

By Mitchell Parker

Not only does this house run on solar power, but it was built with it too

ORGANIZING Do It for the Kids! A Few Routines Help a Home Run More Smoothly

By Alison Hodgson

Not a Naturally Organized person? These tips can help you tackle the onslaught of papers, meals, laundry — and even help you find your keys

MONTHLY HOME CHECKLISTS Your April Checklist for a Smooth-Running Home

By Laura Gaskill

Shake off the winter blues and spring into action to get your home in the spirit of the new season

LIFE We Can Work It Out: Living (and Cleaning) Together

By Alison Hodgson

Run a household without fussing and fighting with these ideas for how to work together on household chores

REMODELING GUIDES Ask an Architect: How Can I Carve Out a New Room Without Adding On?

When it comes to creating extra room, a mezzanine or loft level can be your best friend

MORE ROOMS Hip Home Gyms Get Hearts Pumping

By The Inman Company

Has your workout plan hit a plateau? Snap back into gear with these stylish home exercise rooms

LIFE The Polite House: How Can I Kindly Get Party Guests to Use Coasters?

Here’s how to handle the age-old entertaining conundrum to protect your furniture — and friendships

Sponsored

More Discussions

Glow effect on portico ceiling

14

Where to place outlets in primary bathroom?

11

I need a pop up outlet on my island, but they are HUGE!

9

Feeder Wire - Wire Insulation is slightly under lug. Is this an issue?

3

Ductless Range Hood while backsplash wall is down?

2