I know this has been discussed before and I’m aware of the Basement Watchdog products, but I’m looking for an even simpler solution.
Does anyone sell a backup battery system that uses the existing pump?
One of my customers just had a new sump pump installed and they asked about a backup system. It seems to me that there should be a product available that the existing pump just plugs into. It could use house current when available and a battery when it’s not.
I realize that this would require an inverter, but it still seems like it would be cheaper than a 12 volt pump. Or maybe the inverter loss would be too great and it would be an inefficient solution?
Replies
Guess you could use a computer UPS.
Probably wouldn't last too long, though.
Basically you're talking about a UPS. Computer UPS units are the cheapest option, though not ideal for an intermittent motor load.
Thanks. Yeah, I did just describe a UPS without realizing it. A little googling quickly revealed that a UPS wouldn't deliver nearly enough power.
I still don't know why such a sump pump backup couldn't be done fairly easily. I guess there's no market for it.
You can get a UPS in any size you want. There are two 1MW units in the basement of the building where I work.
What is wanted is not the will to believe, but the will to find out, which is the exact opposite. --Bertrand Russell
All you need is a DC to AC inverter sized to run your pump, a deep cycle 12V lead/acid battery and a trickle charger (a solar panel will do if you're not without power too often). Pricier than a little UPS unit for a computer, but not so much. For a 1/3 hp sump pump you can probably get what you need for about $200 total. A car battery will work, but not for as long nor for as many cycles before it's toast. Want longer run time? Add more batteries.
Thanks. Don't I also need a switch to transfer between drawing from house current or the battery?
It would be fairly simple to set up a relay to switch the unit on. Use a NC relay. Use the NO contacts for the house ppower and the NC contacts for the battery power. That way when the power goes out the relay will deenergize and the battery will power the pump. Power comes back on the relay wil energize and your back on house power.
Thanks TomW: that's another obvious component he needs!
Well water or city water?
If city water there was a simple "jet" style pump available that uses house water pressure to pump out a sump. It uses a float arm actuated valve to send house pressure through the venturi and pump the sump out.
No electricity needed.
Made In Canada IIRC.
I saw one years ago that my brother ( a plumber)installed in his own house as a back up system.
Low volume but reliable. It won't work if the house water pressure is dependent on local power.
Concept is great and I bet it can be made up out of off the shelf parts if need be.
Found one
http://www.pumpbiz.com/pumps/Water-Powered-Sump-Pump.htm
And names for 3 more.
I have seen 3 models so far: the Guardian by A.Y. McDonald; Liberty Pumps Model SJ10; and the Zoeller Home Guard.
Edited 4/23/2008 11:57 am by dovetail97128