Battery Backup Sump Pump

[Mark42]

I want to protect the investment I have in my basement. Should be done in a few months and I was looking at battery backup sump pumps. <br /><br />Some of the popular systems are:<br /><br />Flotec FP1800DCC: <br />Basement Watchdog BWD12-120C: <br />Little Giant SPBS-12<br /><br />These all have models that pump about 1000 gph and run about 8 hrs on a 140 amp marine battery. They all have battery condition monitoring and some have alarms. All systems require the purchase of separate battery.<br /><br />I get water in the sump pump pit in extreme weather conditions. About 3 times in the last 13 years. I am thinking of using two marine batteries in parallel for extended run time to handle these extreme conditions. <br /><br />Does anyone here experience with a battery backup sump pump system?<br /><br />Thanks<br /><br />Mark.

 

[jsfinn]

Re: Battery Backup Sump Pump

Hey Mark -<br /><br />Good luck with that sump pump - I put 2 new ones in not too long ago. When I bought my house, the inspector (worthless..) didn't want to inspect the sump pump and said "Aww..those things never go bad..". I was nieve and believed him. A week after I moved in, we got a big storm and the basement was sopping wet. I replaced the pump the next day and I'm still gritting my teeth over it. A few months ago, I went to check the pump to make sure that it was working (no problems..just thought I'd check..). Well, I came to realize that the pump wouldn't turn on until the water was 3 or 4 inches under the floor.. That wasn't good enough for me, so I pulled it out and put in another new pump that turns on with water about 15 inches under the floor. It turns on and off a lot more in the rain but to me, it's worth it.<br /><br />So, just my 2 cents, might want to consider a pump with a shorter throw on the switch when you spec them out.

 

[ndemge]

Re: Battery Backup Sump Pump

What my brother has at his house:<br /><br />Freedeom25 2500 Watt Invertercharger (100 amp dc 3 stage charge built in) $600 used<br /><br />Hooked up to a 400 amphour battery bank. Freebee, but $250-300 every 6 year replacement cost..<br /><br />Enough battery power to get him through a bad power outage/storm.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Battery Backup Sump Pump

The systems that I've seen like you're talking about are Nothing more than a Boat Bilge Pump..........<br /><br />1000gpm sounds Tiny.......as far as Bilge Pumps go........

 

[Xcusme]

Re: Battery Backup Sump Pump

Yup, been there done that. My lady friend bought the Harbour Freight model.. Backup System <br /><br />I installed it. At first I was skeptical as to the reliability, but it's worked without a hitch for 4 years. In the picture on their website, you'll see the wired float level in the foreground. A simple clip/tiewrap on that wire determines the level of water at which the pump activates.

 

[TELMANMN]

Re: Battery Backup Sump Pump

If you need it, get it. A friend I used to work with had a sump that would turn on even in the winter(house built during extreme drought on marginal land). I suggested he get a backup sump pump as my sister had the same issue. Power went out during sever summer storm and basement filled up. He thought about it till it happened to him. He now has a small generator backup along with the battery backup. He keeps a maintainer on the battery at all times just to make sure. Better safe then sorry.

 

[jsfinn]

Re: Battery Backup Sump Pump

This got me thinking.. doesn't charging a battery create Carbon Monoxide? I always charge outside.. Is it safe to charge a battery inside?

 

[Mark42]

Re: Battery Backup Sump Pump

Originally posted by Bondo:<br /> The systems that I've seen like you're talking about are Nothing more than a Boat Bilge Pump..........<br /><br />1000gpm sounds Tiny.......as far as Bilge Pumps go........

Bondo, these pumps are doing 1000 gph with a 10 foot head. about 3000 gph at 5 ft and about 8000 at zero. My guess is that the bilge pump doesn't have much head to deal with, so it gets a high gph rating even with a smaller motor. I will actually be running with about a 5 or 6 foot head, but I use the 10ft spec for comparison.

 

[Xcusme]

Re: Battery Backup Sump Pump

Originally posted by jsfinn:<br /> This got me thinking.. doesn't charging a battery create Carbon Monoxide? I always charge outside.. Is it safe to charge a battery inside?

I wouldn't expect it to produce carbon dioxide. The off gassing would be more like hydrogen sulfide gas, very flammable in close quarters.

 

[TELMANMN]

Re: Battery Backup Sump Pump

Yes a battery charging even in a vehicle gives off hydrogen gas but if the sump is in a crawl space or basement with adequate ventilation(which in this neck of the woods is suppose to be code?) and is only going to be used in an emergency then a battery maintainer should not create a problem. My opinion.