Battery Backup for Sump Pump

[NibbanaFarm]

Greetings. We live in an area that has frequent power outages. We have come to expect to lose power with just about any rain/wind event. Following the rain the sump pump is going to be cycling or I get water in the basement. I have a generator that runs the whole house but is a bit of effort to start up and more effort to put back into storage. A lot of times the only absolutely necessary item is the sump pump. (And we can't leave for travel if any weather events are expected.) I'd like to get a battery backup for the sump pump. I've found two that look like they'll do the job, and one I'm not sure about. Opinions or recommendations would be appreciated.

Model 933 | SEC America This one is made in USA and I was able to view all the docs online and convince myself that it will work. Also over the phone customer service was excellent. Around $800.

1500W Primary Sump Pump Backup Power System At least some of the components of this one are made in China. Can't find any docs on the website. Called customer service, asked a question and was disconnected. Somewhat more powerful but either should run my 3.5 amp Flotec pedestal pump. Around $500.

CyberPower Sump Pump Switch - Ace Hardware Looks a lot like an UPS for a computer. One of the reviewers said if the battery runs down it needs to be reset or it won't work when the power comes back on. That bothered me. A little under $200.

Thanks for your help.
Nibbana

 

[Eagle223usa]

That is a great idea! I live in snow country too. The 933 looks perfect. I would want 3 though, wellhouse, sump pump and pellet stove.

 

[Eagle223usa]

Your #3 choice look nice and affordable too.

 

[grsthegreat]

A ups should not be used to power a sump pump. Heck, my ups wont even power my printer. Its not designed for motor start loads.

 

[ponytug]

Whatever unit you buy, I would make sure that you have enough batteries attached to take you out three days or so. If you can, check with the companies what the maximum capacity of the batteries could be for charging. Then when you run the generator once a day, you won't have discharged the batteries very far, and they will last longer.

FYI: most batteries can charge rapidly 20%-80%, and then slow down the charge rate. Lead acid batteries don't do well below 50% discharge, unless they are deep discharge marine/RV batteries, and they may not be worth the additional cost.

There are 12V sump pumps, which may be a better choice for your application. You could, if you have space have both a 120V and a 12V pump in the same sump. Pumpspy makes a dual pump 120/12V system.
https://www.amazon.com/Superior-Pump-92900-Submersible-Tethered/dp/B005MKGRBO
https://www.amazon.com/Zoeller-508-0006-Aquanot-ProPak53-Preassembled/dp/B00M3B5YQE/

Using a 12V pump improves the efficiency when on battery power.

All the best,

Peter

 

[i7win7]

Solar generators are newer, better solutions for backup power. 2 things you need to know running watts & starting watts (watts = volts x amps). Look at Ecoflow Delta2 or larger unit. Other portable solutions include Bluetti, Zendure, Jackery. Small gas generator better choice to recharge batteries over solar panels

Best Power Stations, Solar Generators & Home Backup | EcoFlow

EcoFlow offers portable power stations, solar generators, and home backup solutions. Perfect for adventures, off-grid living, and eco-friendly energy needs.

us.ecoflow.com

You could invest in larger permanent installs

https://www.youtube.com/c/WillProwse/videos

 

[NibbanaFarm]

Yea, after reading the reviews, it doesn't look like the third would be a good choice for sump pump application. Several people said it needed to be reset if the battery drained down and wouldn't work until reset even if the power came back on. Also lower power output and battery capacity.

Edited to add: I should have mentioned, I don't have room in the sump for another pump. My understanding is that solar is just going to recharge a battery. We lose power specifically during storms so solar isn't going to help. It usually only floods after a storm when there's a lot of water in the ground. Once the water drains away the pump doesn't come on often if at all.

 

[jaydee325]

Disclaimer; I had a similar experience at our previous residence. But, I had a situation where during high rain and snow melt, my sump pump might start and stop 30 times in an hour. The only time the pump was off was about 30 seconds while the crock refilled.

The first choice seems to be the best. You say you have a 3.5 amp pump, but that is running amps. Batteries are going be be depleted more quickly due to starting current and in a situation such as I had at probably double as an equivalent (speculation on my part). So, using the chart in the link, even using the largest 8D battery and doubling the amps to account for start amps, it only provides about 12 hours of run time. In my case, that would have maybe been 2 days. Hardly enough to go away for a weekend and not worry.

In the end we just bit the bullet and installed a whole house standby generator. That saved at least 2 planned trips. One of them we even left while the generator was running and it ran another day until power was restored. I knew that when the app said the generator had stopped and was ready to run again. And there was the alert text from the power company that power was restored.

One final thought, if you choose a flooded cell battery setup, make sure you have good ventilation to remove the hydrogen gas generated. The alternative is a sealed battery such as AGM.

 

[grsthegreat]

One reason i like my automatic standby is i have 2 drain pumps in basement. Dont want to worry when away.

 

[CobyRupert]

Disclaimer; I had a similar experience at our previous residence. But, I had a situation where during high rain and snow melt, my sump pump might start and stop 30 times in an hour. The only time the pump was off was about 30 seconds while the crock refilled.

Maybe restrict the inlet or outlet piping so pump runs longer and cycles less?