GENERATOR FOR SUBMERSIBLE PUMP

This site has a lot of information about generators/inverters and inductive loads (movie lighting and such). Good read:

http://www.screenlightandgrip.com/html/emailnewsletter_generators.html

There can be an issue with the some of the "newer" mass market inverter-generators... The expensive ones (Honda and such) are Pure/True Sine Wave output. The cheaper ones a (sometimes, many times, almost all the time?) MSW (modified square/sine wave) output.

And as I went to "backup" my above statement... I could not find one word on the eu2200i Honda if it is PSW or MSW output... Did find that Yamaha listed:

https://yamahaef2000is.com/
MSW wave forms are not great for induction motors, transformers, and some electric based power supplies. Depending on design and construction, some devices can overheat and die sooner on MSW power (hours, weeks, ??).

If the vendor does not answer PSW/TSW/MSW, you can ask what the THD (total harmonic distortion) of the 120 VAC is... 5% THD or less, PSW/TSW. Typically 25% to 30% or so THD, MSW.

The issue with induction motors is that the 60 Hz frequency goes to making the motor turn... The Higher Harmonics (higher freaquencies) in MSW wave form do nothing to turn the motor--They just generate waste heat (i.e., 5% THD, 5% of power usage is waste heat; 25% THD, 25% of the power usage is wasted heat). In transformers, the higher frequencies can be converted to heat too (run hot). In some electronics, the "sharp edge" of the MSW wave form can damage input diodes and capacitors.

The end answer is about 80% of the AC loads out there will run OK on MSW. And above 10-20% can/will have issues. How to know the difference--It is not always obvious or easy to tell (watch for hot running devices is a frequent "tell").

And SceenLighting link above, you can see that while standard "alternator" generators should generate true sine wave output, the actual generator design and loads can affect/distort the AC Voltage output...

-Bill

You are welcome to post a link to the "box" you are looking at so we can talk about it directly.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=120+to+240+VAC+transformer&ref=nb_sb_noss_2

There are "auto wound" transformers that are used in solar power systems (more expensive). From our host:

https://www.solar-electric.com/search/?q=transformer+auto
 
Transformers can add a bit of "complexity" to an AC power system. Transformers do have a "starting surge", and auto transformers are wired "differently" than other types of traditional input:output transformers. And additional transformers do have some additional losses (around 5% or so).

And then there is walking back to what is the generator usage you are planning for?

Filling your cistern once a day with an hour of running... No noise issues (aka neighbors to tick off). And you can store enough fuel for 7 hours a week runtime. A large / noisy / cheap genset may be the answer.

Medium sized genset running 1/2 gallon per hour * 7 days = 3.5 gallons of fuel

If you need to run the genset for, say 5 hours a day/evening (run pump to pressurize 20 gallon tank while cooking/cleaning/showering, run some lights, TV, laptop, cell charger, and other items at that time)--Then perhaps a more expensive inverter-generator type (Honda euxx00 family, Yamaha, etc.) would be more fuel efficient.

• Medium sized genset running 1/2 gph * 5 hours * 7 days = 17.5 gallons of fuel per week
• Smallish sized inverter-genest running 1/8 gph * 5 hours * 7 days = 4.4 gallons of fuel per week
• Medium for water pumping + small inverter-genset for rest of home = 3.5+4.4=7.9 gallons of fuel per week for both functions with two gensets

The above may or may not be "answer" for you... But how I would suggest to "ask the questions" and model your usage. Buying an eu7000i genset for its 120/240 VAC output may be a great "all in one" solution--But it may not be cost effective for your needs @ $4,700 vs the $1,000 inverter-genset and $700 or so medium generic genset:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Honda-7000-Watt-Ultra-Quiet-Remote-Start-Stop-Electric-Recoil-Start-Gasoline-Powered-Inverter-Generator-EU7000ISNAN/316605166

Or big old noise maker tri fuel (gasoline, propane, natural gas) for $1,000 (can be as low as $700 on sale(?):

https://www.costco.com/firman-7500w-running--9400w-peak-tri-fuel-generator.product.100648883.html

Or smaller/cheaper simple genset for $400:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Champion-Power-Equipment-4550-3650-Watt-Recoil-Start-Gasoline-RV-Ready-Portable-Generator-CARB-200969/315001375

Or you revisit the well pump itself question (more solar/generator friendly version and power with the smallish inverter-generator).

And there is the old "be prepared" saw... three is two, two is one, one is none in an emergency. I have had good luck "pickling" gensets (use fuel preservative/change fuel once a year; run genset to hot--get moisture out of oil, drain fuel from tank and carburettor, squirt of oil in spark plug hole, pull on starter rope to start of compression cycle--intake and exhaust valves closed). Your needs/experiences may differ from mine.

-Bill

PS: Links above are just points of information (fuel usage, size of genset, etc.). I know nothing about Firman brand... Champion, in general, had some nice posts here about reliability. I personally have stayed away from Generac. Hondas have been pretty good (expensive, a bit behind the times in "new features"--But simple may be better for emergency backup--Your choices).