Battery Backup Sump Pump

[Jerry N.]

Anybody have a recommendation on a battery backup sump pump? I've been looking at a Basement Watchdog and a question came up about the battery. Does anyone have any opinion on using a sealed battery (marine deep cycle) versus the acid battery where you put in acid and keep the fluid level up? I'm thinking a sealed battery is the only way to go but if you get like twice as much stand by or run time, maybe I should reconsider.

 

[Jerry N.]

Anybody have a recommendation on a battery backup sump pump? I've been looking at a Basement Watchdog and a question came up about the battery. Does anyone have any opinion on using a sealed battery (marine deep cycle) versus the acid battery where you put in acid and keep the fluid level up? I'm thinking a sealed battery is the only way to go but if you get like twice as much stand by or run time, maybe I should reconsider.

 

[Mickey D]

Battery Backup Sump Pump

Say that 10 times!
there are some good sealed gel batteries on the market. Should work well if used with a trickle charger.

 

[Spotteddog]

The deep cycle marine batteries will get you about 15% longer run time, but only if they're in good condition (IE: been kept topped up with distilled water), clean connections and fully charged. I'm curious about the resistance to lead acid batteries? Sometimes your better off with a product that requires eye balls on it at a regular interval. It tends to make me more conscientious about preventative maintenance? But the newer gel batteries are far more user friendly. If yours is a home that has one, your foolish not to have a battery back up model. Thunder storms have a nasty habit of knocking out power, exactly at the time they drop a lot of water.

 

[Jerry N.]

Originally posted by Spotteddog:
I'm curious about the resistance to lead acid batteries? Sometimes your better off with a product that requires eye balls on it at a regular interval.

My resistance is that I don't want to mess around with acid. I do agree with you that eyes on for such an item is a good thing. I'm planning on ordering the model that does a weekly check - I'll see the water every week. Also, the unit I'm looking at has an alarm to notify if there is a problem. It will have a panel I can check when I go down stairs. Our freezer is in the basement so we do end up down there regularly.

15% is a pretty nice improvement. I'll see if I can figure out if either one will last longer (just sitting there - not power output).

 

[Spotteddog]

One caveat, and I don't know if this applies to the latest generation of deep cycles?
In the past, a deep cycle showed less time capacity if not run down occasionally to near full discharge. An idiosyncrasy that if still in play, may affect your choice.

 

[7003006]

Another option you might want to look into is a pump that is run by water presure.Just T off a cold water pipe that runs close to your sump and hook it up.With a system like that you don't have to worry about batteries at all and if power is out for an extended period of time it keeps working as long as you heve water presure.
That system is probably best if you have city water since if your power is out a well will lose presure.
Just google "water powered sump pump"

 

[sceva]

I have a basement watchdog and it has kicked in and saved a wet basemant several times when the rain was coming down (and in) faster than the main pump could pump it out.
I went with the Basement watchdog battery and check the level periodically and add distilled water. The Basemant watchdog battery has a hole in it for the battery level alarm probe. Get the bigger 7.5 hour battery.

 

[walkinghorse]

When I built my house 3 years ago, we had this backup sump installed:
http://www.amazon.com/507-0005.../185-8258679-9808300

The battery that is with it is a sealed, deep cycle battery.
http://zoeller.thomasnet.com/v...t-deep-cycle-battery

The warranty on this battery is extended to 3 years if purchased with the Zoeller pump noted previously.

The plumber I used said this is the set up he recommends, and so far (over 3 years now it has functioned very well). It has rained over 1-1/2" since last evening, nearby creek is almost out of its banks

, as it happens almost every spring, so sump pumps etc. gets a workout.

Maybe this will help, what a sump pump manufacturer recommends for their set up and charger, Good Luck!

 

[sar4937]

I saw a backup setup for emergencies that would use the water from your house to siphon out the sump. Since it would be an emergency only thing you could justify the cost of the lost city water.

 

[wsl1971]

ive been in the fire and water damage restoration business for 12 years. its been my experience that the battery backup is not worth the money. they may help to maintain the water for a bit but if your pump fails they generally last for a short period of time and your basement still floods! i would look into the water backup system for power failure but also look into adding a second electric pump above the main pump in case the first pump is overwhelmed the second pump will give you a fighting chance as long as you have power. as for the type of pump zoller pumps seem to be the best on the market.
good luck
bill

http://www.zoeller.com/

 

[Spotteddog]

Over course if your an old paranoid (like me!) you'd probably be able to have a dedicated line to the pair able to be operated off of a gas powered generator?