Honda WB30XT3A - 290 GPM (3") Water Pump

3 Questions

Q: How long will it run on a tank of gas?
by Brent from Alabama on November 08, 2016

A: That's a hard question to answer Brent and there really isn't a way to gauge it. Run times are based on how easy or how hard the engine is running. If you're pumping a short distance with minimal head lift, you may see about 2 to 3 hours of run time, but if you're pumping very long distances and requiring a lot of lift, that may dwindle to 60 - 90 minutes of run time. You might equate it to how you drive your car? If you accelerate fast and brake the same and often, your gas mileage suffers. It's the same with any gas powered piece of equipment. The harder you work it, the less run time you will realize.
If you have any other questions, please let me know.
by Jim, Product Expert

Q: Jim,

Do these types of trash pumps have a throttle control on them or are they pumping wide open throttle at max gpm all the time? There are times when I may want to pump 70-100 gpm but in an emergency I may need to pump 200 gpm.

Do you have a better recommendation for a trash pump having similar specs. Better quality for similar price range??

Your input is greatly appreciated!

Best regards,
by Gary M from Texas on May 04, 2016

A: While many people may use the engine throttle to control your flow rates, this can actually damage the engine and pump. The best option would be to install a ball valve on the discharge port and use that to control you flow. As long as you are not closing that flow off more than 90%-100%, you will not harm the pump or engine. If you have any other questions, please let me know.
by Jim, Product Expert

Q: Hi Jim,
I would like to use the 3" Honda WB30 pump, but want to deliver water from a river to a garden plot 1,400 ft. away. Covering that much distance with 3" hose is too expensive. Is it possible to use a reducer from the 3" pressure port coupling and reduce down to a 3/4 inch pex tubing? Would this hurt the pump? Using that smaller diameter tubing would be ideal on my wallet. Also if you reduce the pressure end, do you need the source end on the suction side to be the same 3/4 inch diameter?
by James L from Tennessee on March 31, 2014

A: Thank you for your interest in Water Pumps Direct. Standard dewatering pumps will effectively handle pumping distances of up to about 300 feet. Once you start exceeding that, you either need to find a more powerful pump or increase your discharge hose/piping in order to overcome the friction loss that is created inside the hose/piping. So, to answer your question, the Honda WB30 nor any other pump that we offer, would not handle your 1400 foot distance and by reducing the discharge as you mentioned, you will not only reduce any possible flow to zero, you would also add the possibility of severely damaging your pump, which would not be covered under any warranty. It is never recommended to reduce the suction and/or discharge hose/pipe from the original port size.
by Jim, Product Expert