Backup Sump Systems Recommendations?

[rbattelle]

I'm in need of a backup sump pump for my home. One that is powered by a car battery. I'm thinking of getting the one at the bottom half of this page.



Does anyone have any recommendations?



-Ryan

 

[midlife crisis]

I have a bilge pump(s) as my backup. Its actually 2 pumps mounted in a milk crate, with a float switch mounted in the center. I forget the gph, but with 2)1" hoses, it pumps great, has a low amp draw, and is submersible. Cheap too. . ( I think Noah donated them)

 

[LandShark]

Rather than buying a costly 'system' I would piece one together from mostly marine parts. Check out the bilge pumps and switches at westmarine.com to get some ideas.



For the switch I would only use a pressure type like the GROCO. You can buy automotive pressure switches for far less than the marine switches.



You will have to figure out pump size and battery capacity based on what you need to protect and for how long and how much water you expect. I would compute the battery capacity needed based on the pump size and projected run time and at least double it.

 

[daveshoe]

Dualies

I realize that you are probably talking about power outage pumps, but when your primary pump goes out due to age, nothing beats a dual back up pump. On my last install,after a ten grand basement remodel, I urged the homeowner to install a second pump in case the first one died. He had a wet spot at the other end of the basement . We really lucked out because the tile that drained to the first pit linked to the second pit location. We dug the new pit deeper and larger to get the basement drier.

As an alternative to this,I would suggest having a second pump,identically plumbed with a check valve and piping,ready to drop right in the pit. You can buy alarms that detect rising water

Home Depot is not open at 2AM

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

Here's the one I'm looking at Northern Tool 12v backup sump pump. It looks like basically the same thing as your link but a lot cheaper.

 

[DaveN]

if you're worried about your pump crapping out, then simply just plug and plumb in a second pump with the float set 3" higher than the first one... . when the first one goes out then the second one will work. May want to run it on a second circuit in case the first one blows the circuit though...

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

The worry for many of us (me included) is power outages when we are away from home. I had a 12 hour power outage once and the basement was flooded 6 hours through it.