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Can a Power Station Run a Sump Pump?

Yes, if the power station can handle the start. A 1/2 HP sump pump runs at about 1,050 W but needs roughly 2,150 W for a moment every time it switches on. A 1/3 HP pump needs less (about 1,300 W to start).

How long it lasts depends on how often the pump cycles. We assume it runs 20% of the time, about 210 W on average. At that rate a 1,000 Wh station lasts about 4 hours and a 2,000 Wh station about 8.1 hours. In a heavy storm it can run much more.

Running1,050 Wtypical range 800–1,050 W
Starting (surge)2,150 Wfor a split second
Average210 Wincluding on/off cycling
Per day5 kWhat 24 h/day
Calculate with your model Find the right size

Runtime by power station

Nonstop runtime for one sump pump at 210 W average, with 85% inverter efficiency. Models that can't supply its running or starting power are listed separately below.

How long each power station runs a sump pump
Power stationBatteryRuntimeBar
Jackery Explorer 5000 Plus5,040 Wh20 hours
EcoFlow DELTA Pro 34,096 Wh17 hours
Goal Zero Yeti PRO 40003,994 Wh16 hours
Anker SOLIX F38003,840 Wh16 hours
Anker SOLIX F3800 Plus3,840 Wh16 hours
EcoFlow DELTA Pro Older3,600 Wh15 hours
Anker SOLIX F30003,072 Wh12 hours
BLUETTI Elite 3003,014 Wh12 hours
BLUETTI Apex 3002,765 Wh11 hours
BLUETTI Elite 200 V22,074 Wh8.4 hours
EcoFlow DELTA 3 Max2,048 Wh8.3 hours
EcoFlow DELTA 3 Max Plus2,048 Wh8.3 hours
EcoFlow DELTA 2 Max Older2,048 Wh8.3 hours
BLUETTI AC200L2,048 Wh8.3 hours
BLUETTI AC200MAX Older2,048 Wh8.3 hours
Anker SOLIX C2000 Gen 22,048 Wh8.3 hours
Anker SOLIX F2000 (767) Older2,048 Wh8.3 hours
DJI Power 20002,048 Wh8.3 hours
Jackery Explorer 2000 v22,042 Wh8.3 hours
Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus Older2,042 Wh8.3 hours
BLUETTI AC200P Older2,000 Wh8.1 hours
Jackery Explorer 1500 v21,536 Wh6.2 hours
Jackery Explorer 1500 Ultra1,536 Wh6.2 hours
Goal Zero Yeti 1500X Older1,516 Wh6.1 hours
Goal Zero Yeti 15001,505 Wh6.1 hours
Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus1,264 Wh5.1 hours
Anker SOLIX F1200 (757) Older Surge not published1,229 Wh5 hours
BLUETTI AC1801,152 Wh4.7 hours
Jackery Explorer 1000 v21,070 Wh4.3 hours
Anker SOLIX C10001,056 Wh4.3 hours
EcoFlow DELTA 31,024 Wh4.1 hours
EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus1,024 Wh4.1 hours
EcoFlow DELTA 2 Older1,024 Wh4.1 hours
BLUETTI Elite 100 V2 Surge not published1,024 Wh4.1 hours
Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 21,024 Wh4.1 hours
DJI Power 10001,024 Wh4.1 hours
Goal Zero Yeti 1000998 Wh4 hours
Anker SOLIX C800 Plus Surge not published768 Wh3.1 hours

Models that can't run it

Power stationOutputSurgeWhy
Jackery Explorer 1000 Pro1,000 W2,000 WToo much power
Jackery Explorer 10001,000 W2,000 WToo much power
EcoFlow RIVER 2 Pro800 W1,600 WToo much power
BLUETTI EB70S800 W1,400 WToo much power
Goal Zero Yeti 700600 W1,000 WToo much power
DJI Power 5001,000 W—Too much power
Jackery Explorer 300 v2300 W600 WToo much power
Anker SOLIX C300300 W600 WToo much power
EcoFlow RIVER 3 Plus600 W1,200 WToo much power
BLUETTI EB3A600 W1,200 WToo much power

We may earn a commission if you buy through these links. It never changes our numbers, and every model in our database is included whether or not it pays us. Learn more.

Tips

Questions

What size power station do I need for a sump pump?
For a 1/2 HP pump, look for at least 2,200 W of surge and 1,200 W of continuous output. Battery size depends on how often it runs: at 20% of the time it uses about 5 kWh a day, so a 2,000 Wh station covers roughly 8 hours.
Why does my power station shut off when the sump pump starts?
The motor’s startup surge is above the station’s surge rating. Try a model with a higher surge rating, or a smaller pump.

Related

Sources

Wattage figures are typical values from the sources below. Your appliance may differ, so check its label or measure it with a plug-in watt meter.

  1. powerequipment.honda.com/generators/generator-wattage-estimation-guide
  2. championpowerequipment.com/generator-wattage-chart