Can a power station run a well pump?
A 1,000 Wh power station runs a typical well pump (1/2 hp) for about 17 hours. It averages about 50 W, draws 1,000 W while running and needs about 2,000 W for a moment when it starts.
A 1/2 hp well pump runs at about 750-1,000 W and needs up to about 2,000 W to start. Many well pumps are wired for 240 V, and most portable power stations only supply 120 V: check your pump's label and the station's outputs before buying.
How long by battery size?
| Battery | Runs a well pump (1/2 hp) for |
|---|---|
| 300 Wh | about 5.1 hours |
| 600 Wh | about 10 hours |
| 1,000 Wh | about 17 hours |
| 2,000 Wh | about 34 hours |
| 3,600 Wh | about 2.6 days |
Hours = battery Wh × 0.85 (inverter losses) ÷ 50 W average draw.
How long on each model?
| Power station | Battery | Runtime |
|---|---|---|
| EcoFlow River 3 Plus | 286 Wh | can’t start it |
| Jackery Explorer 300 v2 | 288 Wh | can’t start it |
| Jackery Explorer 600 v2 | 640 Wh | can’t start it |
| EcoFlow River 2 Pro | 768 Wh | can’t start it |
| Anker SOLIX C800 Plus | 768 Wh | can’t start it |
| EcoFlow DELTA 3 Classic | 1,024 Wh | can’t start it |
| Anker SOLIX C1000 | 1,056 Wh | about 18 hours |
| Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 | 1,070 Wh | about 18 hours |
| Bluetti AC180 | 1,152 Wh | about 20 hours |
| ALLPOWERS R1500 | 1,152 Wh | about 20 hours |
| EcoFlow DELTA 2 Max | 2,048 Wh | about 35 hours |
| Jackery HomePower 2000 Plus v2 | 2,048 Wh | about 35 hours |
| EcoFlow DELTA Pro | 3,600 Wh | about 2.6 days |
| Anker SOLIX F3800 | 3,840 Wh | about 2.7 days |
| EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 | 4,096 Wh | about 2.9 days |
Would a generator be better?
The smallest generator in our comparison that can start a well pump (1/2 hp) on its own is the Champion 6500W Dual Fuel Inverter (5,250 W running, 6,500 W starting), with the 120/240 V outlet a 240 V appliance needs. A generator suits long outages and heavy loads; a power station is silent and safe indoors. Size a generator for this.
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Size my setupMore questions
How long will a 500 Wh power station run a well pump?
About 8.5 hours, at an average draw of 50 W.
How long will a 2,000 Wh power station run a well pump?
About 34 hours.
What size power station do I need to run a well pump for 24 hours?
About 1,553 Wh with our 10% margin; the smallest model in our comparison that fits and can start it is the EcoFlow DELTA 2 Max (2,048 Wh).
How many watts does a well pump use?
About 1,000 W while running, about 50 W on average over time, and about 2,000 W for a moment when it starts.
What is the smallest power station that can start a well pump?
In our comparison, the Anker SOLIX C1000: 1,800 W output and 2,400 W surge.
Can a 120 V power station run a 240 V well pump?
No: a 240 V appliance needs a 240 V supply. Most portable power stations only supply 120 V, so check the station’s outputs, or use a generator with a 120/240 V outlet.
Would a generator be better for a well pump?
Not for this alone: a power station covers it for a day, quietly and safely indoors. For multi-day outages or heavier loads, the smallest generator in our comparison that starts it is the Champion 6500W Dual Fuel Inverter (5,250 W running). Never run a generator indoors.
