Appliance · Water
How many watts does a 1/2 HP sump pump use — and what can run it?
A 1/2 HP sump pump (Pentair Flotec E50VLT): 720 W running, about 2,150 W to start. Which power stations and generators can run it in an outage.
Runs only when the float switch calls for it. Another Pentair 1/2 HP model (Simer 3884-01) lists 4.7 A, so draw varies by model.
The representative model is the Pentair Flotec E50VLT, a 1/2 HP cast-iron submersible sump pump. Pentair's page lists an amp draw of 6 A at 115 V; the site multiplies by 120 V, which gives 720 W and leans slightly high. Pentair publishes no locked-rotor current, so the 2,150 W starting figure is the top of the 1,300–2,150 W range for a 1/2 HP sump pump on the Champion generator wattage chart.
What changes the draw
Horsepower is not a wattage. Pentair's own Simer 3884-01, also 1/2 HP, lists 4.7 A, so two pumps of the same size can differ noticeably. How often the pump runs depends on inflow: the float switch starts it when the pit fills and stops it when the pit is drained. The page assumes two hours a day, 1,440 Wh.
Why the starting draw matters
Each float cycle starts the motor, and the start draws a short burst far above the 720 W running figure. A station must cover 2,150 W at that instant, plus everything else connected (how loads are added). Stations with a 1,500 W peak fail even though their continuous rating could carry the pump once it is turning.
Reading the tables
Runtime is for nonstop pumping at 720 W, the storm case. Example: the Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 record has no maker factor, so the default 0.85 applies: 1,024 Wh × 0.85 ÷ 720 W = 1.2 hours. A pump that cycles lasts longer in proportion to the time it sits idle.
Power stations that can run it
Pass = continuous output ≥ 720 W and peak output ≥ 2150 W. Runtime = capacity × maker's factor ÷ 720 W, nothing else plugged in. Method.
| Model | Fits | Runtime at 720 W | Capacity | List price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MARBERO 88Wh Portable Power Station (M82) | No | — | 89 Wh | $119.99 |
| DARAN R100 (89.6Wh) | No | — | 90 Wh | $149.99 |
| Bluetti EB3A | No | — | 269 Wh | $219 |
| EcoFlow RIVER 3 Plus | No | — | 286 Wh | $299 |
| Anker SOLIX C300 | No | — | 288 Wh | $429.99 |
| Anker SOLIX C300 DC | No | — | 288 Wh | $349.99 |
| Jackery Explorer 300 | No | — | 292 Wh | $289 |
| Goal Zero Yeti 500 | No | — | 499 Wh | $499.95 |
| Bluetti AC70 | No | — | 768 Wh | $359 |
| Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 | Yes | 1.2 h | 1,024 Wh | $499.99 |
| EcoFlow DELTA 3 | Yes | 1.2 h | 1,024 Wh | $699 |
| EcoFlow DELTA 3 Classic | Yes | 1.2 h | 1,024 Wh | $599 |
| EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus | Yes | 1.2 h | 1,024 Wh | $799 |
| Anker SOLIX C1000X | Unclear — no peak figure | — | 1,056 Wh | $469.99 |
| Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 | Yes | 1.3 h | 1,070 Wh | $559 |
| Bluetti AC180 | Unclear — no peak figure | — | 1,152 Wh | $499 |
| Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus | Yes | 1.5 h | 1,264 Wh | $699 |
| Goal Zero Yeti 1500 | Yes | 1.8 h | 1,505 Wh | $1,499.95 |
| Goal Zero Yeti 1500X | Yes | 1.8 h | 1,516 Wh | $1,124.89 |
| EcoFlow DELTA Max (2000) | Unclear — no peak figure | — | 2,016 Wh | — |
| Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 | Yes | 2.4 h | 2,042 Wh | $999 |
| Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus | Yes | 2.4 h | 2,043 Wh | — |
| Anker SOLIX C2000 Gen 2 | Yes | 2.4 h | 2,048 Wh | $899.99 |
| Bluetti AC200L | Yes | 2.4 h | 2,048 Wh | $899 |
| EcoFlow DELTA 2 Max | Yes | 2.4 h | 2,048 Wh | $1,299 |
| EcoFlow DELTA 3 Max | Yes | 2.4 h | 2,048 Wh | $1,199 |
| EcoFlow DELTA 3 Max Plus | Yes | 2.4 h | 2,048 Wh | $1,599 |
| Bluetti Elite 200 V2 | Unclear — no peak figure | — | 2,074 Wh | $899 |
| Jackery HomePower 3000 | Yes | 3.6 h | 3,072 Wh | $1,499 |
| Anker SOLIX F3800 Plus | Unclear — no peak figure | — | 3,840 Wh | $2,599.99 |
| EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 | Yes | 4.8 h | 4,096 Wh | $3,299 |
Generators that can run it
| Model | Fits | Load | Published run time | CO sensor | List price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Champion 100396 3400W Electric Start Dual Fuel Inverter | Yes | 23 % (gasoline) | 7.5 h @ 25 % | No | — |
| Champion 201241 13,500W Electric Start Tri Fuel Generator | Yes | 5 % (gasoline) | 8 h @ 50 % | Yes | — |
| Champion 201319 4500W Electric Start Dual Fuel Inverter | Yes | 21 % (gasoline) | 14 h @ 25 % | Yes | — |
| DuroMax XP13000EH | Yes | 7 % (gasoline) | 17 h @ 25 % · 8 h @ 50 % | Yes | $1,299 |
| DuroMax XP9500iH | Yes | 9 % (gasoline) | 21 h @ 25 % · 11 h @ 50 % | Yes | $1,999 |
| Generac GP8000E (with COsense, model 7715) | Yes | 9 % (gasoline) | 10 h @ 50 % | Yes | — |
| Generac iQ3500 (with COsense) | Yes | 24 % (gasoline) | 14.1 h @ 25 % · 8.9 h @ 50 % | Yes | — |
| Honda EU2200i | Yes | 40 % (gasoline) | 8.1 h @ 25 % · 3.2 h @ 100 % | Yes | $1,199 |
| Honda EU3200i | Yes | 28 % (gasoline) | 8.6 h @ 25 % · 3.3 h @ 100 % | Yes | $2,799 |
| Honda EU7000iS | Yes | 13 % (gasoline) | 16 h @ 25 % · 6.4 h @ 100 % | Yes | $4,899 |
| WEN DF680iX | Yes | 14 % (gasoline) | 6.1 h @ 50 % | Yes | $803.40 |
| WEN GN400i | Yes | 21 % (gasoline) | 7 h @ 50 % | No | $479.99 |
| Westinghouse WGen7500DFc | Yes | 10 % (gasoline) | 11 h @ 25 % | Yes | $1,299 |
| Westinghouse WGen9500DF | Yes | 8 % (gasoline) | 12 h @ 25 % · 8 h @ 50 % | No | $1,249 |
| Westinghouse WGen9500DFc | Yes | 8 % (gasoline) | 12 h @ 25 % · 8 h @ 50 % | Yes | $1,399 |
| Westinghouse WGen9500DFc EFI | Yes | 8 % (gasoline) | 15 h @ 25 % · 10 h @ 50 % | Yes | $1,549 |
Frequently asked questions
How many watts does a 1/2 HP sump pump use?
Do all 1/2 HP sump pumps draw the same?
Can a 1,000 Wh power station run a 1/2 HP sump pump?
Sources
- Pentair — Flotec E50VLT 1/2 HP Professional Series submersible cast iron sump pump product page: Amp Draw (accessed 2026-10-31)
- Pentair — Simer 3884-01 1/2 HP cast iron submersible sump pump product page: Amp Draw (accessed 2026-10-31)
- Champion Power Equipment — Generator Wattage Chart (generator maker's chart, not the appliance maker) (accessed 2026-10-31)
Page updated 2026-10-31.