Sump pump selection

[greg86z28]

I need to replace the sump pump in my basement. Our sump is about 18" in diameter and 28" deep. For the sump piping, the lift is about 5.5'. The total run (including the vertical lift) is about 60' total, all 1-1/2" pipe, with one check valve and five 90 degree bends.

Our soil here is black dirt. Typically, we don't get a ton of water into the sump, even during heavy rains (which is slightly surprising because we live in a valley and will often get a runoff river flowing 50' from our house during heavy rains). We've actually had 2 weather events since we've lived here. 7" of rain overnight, which must have peaked at over 1" per hour. We've also had 4-5" in December when the ground was frozen. In both cases, I don't really remember the sump pump running at all, although with the big 7" rain it was overnight so I might have slept through some of it. But I feel really confident we don't get water "running into" our sump during rain. It's always a slow trickle.

We dump our water softener into the sump.


I think there was a 1/2 hp pump in there previously (but I honestly can't tell - no label). I was considering going with a Zoeller 1/3 hp (M53). The other option is the Zoeller 1/2 hp (M98).

Any thoughts?

Thanks!

 

[handymancanfixit]

Sounds like you have it figured out. Stay with a Zoeller or Liberty pump. I would not drop to 1/3hp from 1/2, I would stay with the 1/2hp.

 

[greg86z28]

error in calc.

 

[AffableCurmudgeon]

Zoeller is very nice. Should work great.

A couple of years ago, I installed this Menard's pump combo with a battery backup. It is whisper quiet and works well. I get a good amount of water in the sump when it rains and this has had no issues keeping up.

https://www.menards.com/main/plumbi...-c-1489153238832.htm?tid=-7829376810477196737

 

[kTHREE]

I can't vouch for Zoeller, their switches on the top of the unit are poor at best. I've had to replace too many of them. When I bought my place this spring, yep same damn zoeller pump as my rental, switch failed, water in basement.

I opted for the same kit as Ashamsi above me, light years above the noisy and poor electronics of the zoeller.

 

[handymancanfixit]

I recently installed a Liberty pump for my detached garage to pump sewage into my septic tank. I also purchased their NightEye wi-fi connect alarm. So far I have nothing but positive things to say about the whole system.

In installed a Pro380 simplex package with a 1/2hp pump, and a riser kit with lid, along with the NightEye alarm.

http://www.libertypumps.com/Product/Pro380-Series

http://www.libertypumps.com/Product/ALM-2-Eye

 

[greg86z28]

****, I calculated the friction head wrong.

I've got 5.5' of vertical lift, 60' of piping total, five 90 degree bends and 1 check valve. All 1-1/2" PVC.

I think my dynamic head is more like 8 ft (5.5 ft of static + ~2-3ft friction).

So maybe the 1/3 HP would work? I'm not trying to "cheap" out, the cost between the 1/3 and 1/2 is negligible in my opinion.

Just want to make certain it is sized right or as close to right as possible. Maybe I'm over thinking it.

 

[greg86z28]

I'm going with the M53 (1/3 hp). My total dynamic head calc led me to 7.8 ft. The 1/3 hp pump can do 30 GPM at that head.

We'll see if my calculations are right. I should be able to do a test run.

 

[AffableCurmudgeon]

For $10 difference, I would go with 1/2 hp...

 

[Kin Creed]

I use Zoeller M53s and zip tie the switch in the on position. Then I use a basement watchdog switch and back up system. The switch will likely fail before the pump and then I just change the switch.

For me 1/3 hp is better since overpowering the system just adds stress to things. Best to use enough power without creating unnecessary pressure.

I have 2 sump pits that are pretty active. My one M53 is going on 10 years old and still going strong. The M53 switch started sticking after 3 or 4 years and thats when I zip tied it open which was a tip from Terry Loves plumbing forum.

I ve had good luck with Basement watchdog backup stuff, but their main pump I tried a while back failed pretty fast and ugly, 3 or 4 years. It was shot full of corrosion holes, totally gone. The M53 still looks rock solid after 9+ years and works great.




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[Kin Creed]

After checking out the link to the Menards Barracuda that looks interesting for $300, pretty good deal. My set up runs $300 for just backup system plus $135 for the main plus plumbing and check valves. $300 all in is pretty nice and it has everything in one box which is very cool. Hmmm.


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