Back-up system for a sump pump?

[Wolverine]

What do you use as a "back-up" system to your sump pump?

- Battery system?
- Sump budy, water-powered system?
- No back-up?



I currently have the "Sump Budy" from BURCAM (Quebec, CN) that you can purchase at Home Depot for $99.00.


http://burcam.com/burcam.asp


However, I've had a few issues with it and I'm thinking of going to a battery back-up system. Below is a pic of my current system (pic is from Burcam website).



............ I understand that this might not be garage related, but I have tremendous faith in my "Garage Brothers."

 

[Tom]

Backup? I've never lived in a house that even had one. Now, the house we're moving into in a few weeks has one. If I may ask, why would a properly designed basement/foundation need one?

 

[danski0224]

Look for a Sumpro system.

It is a couple of 12v batteries in parallel, an inverter and a charger in a box.

Your 110v pump plugs into the box to keep the batteries exercised. The system has a smaller backup pump- I don't know if it is 110 v AC or 12v DC.

It will also run a fridge.

Optima marine batteries would be a nice substitute.

Of course, you can get the parts mentioned above and make your own.

 

[Dave Carney]

I use an Ace in the Hole brand battery backup sump pump system. It's 10 years old now, no problems.

 

[kartracer55]

Backup? I've never lived in a house that even had one. Now, the house we're moving into in a few weeks has one. If I may ask, why would a properly designed basement/foundation need one?

Waterseepage. Its impossible to eliminate all of it.

Wolverine, we have two... both off the reg. 110. Each has its own one way valve, then connects into one outlet pipe. We usually just switch which one is running every once in a while.

The older of the two (already here when we moved) must have been amillion years old, and finally capped out. SO, we went to HD, and GASP!! found a USA made sump pump with a 3 year warranty ( a little cheaper than the chinese one and better warranty) You seriously cant go wrong, and its well built

Jim

 

[milly]

We have one sump pump installed, with no backup. Have had no problem with power outage yet when pump is needed. I have, however, thought that we need to install a 2nd pump because some times, if we get a lot of rain over a 2 week period, the 1 pump has a hard time keeping up.

 

[bmwpower]

One pump, no battery backup here. However, I have a second pump sitting it the box next to the sump at all times. I've already had 2 pumps go on me, so I'm not taking any chances. I bring the pump back to Home Depot and they just hand me another one.

I'd be interested in setting up a battery backup, but I was thinking of just purchasing a generator.

 

[Wolverine]

My actual sump pump is a Rigid from HD. I'm very impressed with it!


However, if we lose power from a storm and it is raining hard..... I need a back-up system. A generator would work nicely. However, if we are away from the house or out of town I need something to 'trip' automatically.

 

[jeffgrice]

We live on a lake and have two sump wells. The pumps are running throughout the year (although in the winter much less).

I have a Guardian water siphon backup in each well....plus an old electric unit that can be used while I go to the store if the water backup fails for some reason.

I had a delcor water shipon systems before ... the Guardian is much better (about $300).

Jeff

 

[Rex Ruby]

The 12V backup ones that HD sells are junk.

Use this on a regular sump pump
http://www.emergencypowersupply.com/pages/7.asp

 

[Dave Carney]

One pump, no battery backup here. However, I have a second pump sitting it the box next to the sump at all times. I've already had 2 pumps go on me, so I'm not taking any chances. I bring the pump back to Home Depot and they just hand me another one.

I'd be interested in setting up a battery backup, but I was thinking of just purchasing a generator.

Get the backup too. We have a whole house backup generator but it won't do anything for you if the primary pump dies or the line becomes blocked.