RO on generator

[VTnewguy]

Wondering how many people run their RO's by generator?
Did they have any issues with motors burning out quicker?
How big of a generator should I be looking at for a 22amp RO?

[maple flats]

Look at the start up surge amp rating on the RO and get a generator at least double that, not the genny surge rating but the continuous amp rating. Then if using few other hi draw items when you start the RO. If you have other hi amp draw things, start them after the RO. If you have lots of other electric draws, calculate the generator needs for those and add them to your 44 A you need for the RO. Remember, to use the appropriate voltages. 10A at 120V is 5A at 240V. You do not need to double everything, just the RO.

[VTnewguy]

Thanks for input.

[TapTapTap]

I never met a generator that I didn't burn up. Or a pump for that matter!

[VTnewguy]

I never met a generator that I didn't burn up. Or a pump for that matter!

Problem is that gets expensive in a hurry.

[maple flats]

Size it right and it won't burn up. I have 3 generators from before I had grid power at my sugar House, a gas, 5500 watt bought in 1998, a diesel 6000 watt bought in 2008 and a 15,000 watt bought in 2012, the first two still run well, the big one has never even had any fuel in it. That is just for emergencies if the grid goes down during the maple season. It is bigger because my RO was converted from Gas to electric. (no, none are for sale). If you ask a generator to work routinely near capacity it will fail early.

[TapTapTap]

I was half joking of course, but I have burned up a generator engine. And for pumps, I've seen some expensive failures on construction sites but usually ones that are pushing alot dirtier liquids than sap. I concur with Maple Flats that generators should be oversized which is a good rule for pumps and some other pieces of equipment.