Sump pump backup batteries

[swanysto]

It would seem the backup battery for my sump pump is getting a little long in the tooth. It came on during our power outage last night, but was extremely weak, and gave an alarm after about 30 minutes. Luckily the power went out after the major downpour, so we didn't have any issues, but we might not be so lucky next time.

Anyways, since this is my first house, and experience with sump pump batteries, can anyone recommend a 27m deep cycle marine battery? It would seem that most of the reviews on these batteries are for boats(which makes sense, since they are boat batteries). Do any of you use this type of battery, and can vouch for the effectiveness and stability of a certain brand? It would seem Sears has diehards for a reasonable price(~$90 with trade in). Either the one in there is generic, or someone ripped all the signage off of it, so I can't just find the same one.

TIA

 

[waggy]

For mine I had a marine batteries. it was bigger and lasted a few years. Sure its $110 or so but well worth it.

 

[swanysto]

For mine I had a marine batteries. it was bigger and lasted a few years. Sure its $110 or so but well worth it.

Do you remember what brand, or where you got it. I am pretty sure I am not very far from you.

 

[Booty]

I'm also interested in hearing what people are using...

 

[DrPizza]

I would just get a marine battery - they're made for running things like trolling motors for extended periods of time. I haven't seen how a battery backup works on a sump pump; I presume the electronics include a trickle charger. If not, you'll want a trickle charger on that battery, otherwise, over time, you're going to end up with a bad battery. In my experience, marine batteries don't last as long as automotive batteries.

 

[swanysto]

I would just get a marine battery - they're made for running things like trolling motors for extended periods of time. I haven't seen how a battery backup works on a sump pump; I presume the electronics include a trickle charger. If not, you'll want a trickle charger on that battery, otherwise, over time, you're going to end up with a bad battery. In my experience, marine batteries don't last as long as automotive batteries.

A marine battery is required for sump pump backups because they are deep cycle, which is required to be able to throw the water. An automotive battery most likely wont have the ability to push enough power, and if it does, it will not last very long. Automotive batteries are made to be in use with an alternator.

 

[waggy]

Do you remember what brand, or where you got it. I am pretty sure I am not very far from you.

I got it from Farm & Fleet. it's a 27M

It lasted roughly 5 years before it died (it's sitting in garage). hell it may be ok with a charge. i haven't checked that yet.


edit: oh and the pump kit listed that size in the instructions. it fit's in the case (waterproof) perfectly.


edit 2: also it really does not matter what brand. I think there are only 3-4 companies that make batteries.

 

[NoTine42]

A marine battery is required for sump pump backups because they are deep cycle, which is required to be able to throw the water. An automotive battery most likely wont have the ability to push enough power, and if it does, it will not last very long. Automotive batteries are made to be in use with an alternator.

Marine batteries like the deep cycle applications, so they are not ideal for just automotive starting...but I've never heard you can't use a marine battery in a car (as long as it physically fits and has enough CCA).

There are enough people that seem to be fine using a marine battery in their vehicle especially when they have actual deep cycle uses like radios, computers, winches, lighting... Otherwise it makes no financial sense to buy a more expensive, lower CCA marine battery when you can buy an automotive one.

 

[Scarpozzi]

I've never heard of putting sumps on backup batteries because they typically are larger (in my experience) and I see little efficiency in doing so. Obviously, deep cycle marine batteries are going to be far cheaper than a standard set of backups as used with UPS solutions. The problem is, most Sumps are 120v AC and you would lose a lot in the inverter processes.

One solution would be to size your pump up...see how much water that pump is rated for in gallons per minute and get 2 or 3 bilge pumps to go with your marine battery. Bilge pumps are pretty efficient on battery life, are small, and can be purchased for very little:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Shoreline-...ingMethod=p13n

Since the application is backup and temporary until power is restored, you can invest a little and add additional batteries/pumps if you see a need for more pumping power or additional pumps in other locations.

 

[Fritzo]

The Watchdog system from Home Depot kicks ass. I installed it 6 years ago and has saved my butt dozens of times. It's easy to install too.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Basement...p-Pump-System-BWSP/100067307?N=5yc1vZ2cuZbqjx

 

[swanysto]

I've never heard of putting sumps on backup batteries because they typically are larger (in my experience) and I see little efficiency in doing so. Obviously, deep cycle marine batteries are going to be far cheaper than a standard set of backups as used with UPS solutions. The problem is, most Sumps are 120v AC and you would lose a lot in the inverter processes.

One solution would be to size your pump up...see how much water that pump is rated for in gallons per minute and get 2 or 3 bilge pumps to go with your marine battery. Bilge pumps are pretty efficient on battery life, are small, and can be purchased for very little:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Shoreline-...ingMethod=p13n

Since the application is backup and temporary until power is restored, you can invest a little and add additional batteries/pumps if you see a need for more pumping power or additional pumps in other locations.

The battery is not just a backup UPS type solution. It is a complete kit like the one Fritzo linked to. It is a separate pump all together. The battery is needed to run the backup pump.

 

[swanysto]

The Watchdog system from Home Depot kicks ass. I installed it 6 years ago and has saved my butt dozens of times. It's easy to install too.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Basement...p-Pump-System-BWSP/100067307?N=5yc1vZ2cuZbqjx

That is pretty much what my system is. I was just wondering if people had any experience with the battery inside. Is one brand better than the other, etc. Have you changed yours yet? They recommend every 4 years.

 

[WHAMPOM]

I've never heard of putting sumps on backup batteries because they typically are larger (in my experience) and I see little efficiency in doing so. Obviously, deep cycle marine batteries are going to be far cheaper than a standard set of backups as used with UPS solutions. The problem is, most Sumps are 120v AC and you would lose a lot in the inverter processes.

One solution would be to size your pump up...see how much water that pump is rated for in gallons per minute and get 2 or 3 bilge pumps to go with your marine battery. Bilge pumps are pretty efficient on battery life, are small, and can be purchased for very little:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Shoreline-...ingMethod=p13n

Since the application is backup and temporary until power is restored, you can invest a little and add additional batteries/pumps if you see a need for more pumping power or additional pumps in other locations.

There is no inverter. It is a separate 12volt pump set to actuate at a higher water level then the AC one.

 

[Fritzo]

That is pretty much what my system is. I was just wondering if people had any experience with the battery inside. Is one brand better than the other, etc. Have you changed yours yet? They recommend every 4 years.

I never had to change mine- I'm just supposed to fill it up with acid every 7 years. They sell the acid for it in the store. I just checked the levels on mine and it's still good.

 

[Drako]

They sell the acid for it in the store.

Distilled white vinegar, you can find it in your grocery store.

Be careful if your name is Dave, because they may card you.

 

[Fritzo]

Distilled white vinegar, you can find it in your grocery store.

Be careful if your name is Dave, because they may card you.

LOL- more like sulfuric acid.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Unbrande...t-Watchdog-Standby-Batteries-Z-Pack/100136419

 

[Drako]

LOL- more like sulfuric acid.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Unbrande...t-Watchdog-Standby-Batteries-Z-Pack/100136419

Yeah, I was being facetious.

It's probably not a good idea to mix acetic acid with sulfuric acid either.

 

[KentState]

My parents actually went with a water powered backup pump. We had instances where it rained hard for many days and then power went out for 4-8 hours. This happened when they were out of town once and the backup battery failed.

Not sure if this is the type, but similar concept.

http://www.basepump.com/Products/Basepump.html

 

[Red Squirrel]

These are the batteries I use for my server backup system:

http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/g...deep-cycle-battery-0102799p.html#.U7MtDlet_mg

Seems like a good balance of quality and price.

4x of those connected to one of these:

http://www.tripplite.com/inverter-charger-750w-automatic-transfer-switching-2-outlets~APS750/

No matter what battery you get, make sure you check electrolyte levels every 6 months or so and add distilled water as needed.

 

[LTC8K6]

I would just go with an Everstart Deep Cycle/Marine battery from WalMart.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/EverStart-...ttery/16795212

 

[LTC8K6]

I never had to change mine- I'm just supposed to fill it up with acid every 7 years. They sell the acid for it in the store. I just checked the levels on mine and it's still good.

Never heard of adding acid to a lead-acid battery, only distilled water.

They can be shipped dry where you do an initial acid fill, but thereafter you add distilled water, iirc.

 

[lxskllr]

A friend of mine got a natural gas powered generator after the power went out for an extended period, and his finished basement got trashed. It was around $10k in damage, and we did a lot of the work ourselves.

Might sound like overkill, but if you get storms, and will be there awhile, having backup power is pretty sweet. Keeps the sump pump going, and your food fresh.

 

[KentState]

A friend of mine got a natural gas powered generator after the power went out for an extended period, and his finished basement got trashed. It was around $10k in damage, and we did a lot of the work ourselves.

Might sound like overkill, but if you get storms, and will be there awhile, having backup power is pretty sweet. Keeps the sump pump going, and your food fresh.

One of my previous jobs had a natural gas generator as a longer backup solution. Was pretty cheap to run and the supply is pretty limitless unless something serious occurs and then it probably doesn't matter.

 

[Red Squirrel]

If your drain can't keep up with rain water you have bigger issues than trying to keep a sump pump running, best to look into why the drain can't keep up. It may be blocked, or perhaps there's too much water going into the sump pit that could be redirected elsewhere. For example it was common at one point for gutters to drain right into the weeping tile system. it's best to change this and just have it drain further in the yard.

A sump pump is just a backup for in case the drain gets clogged or in case of sewer backup. You don't want to have to rely on it all the time. If you have no choice then I'd get two or even 3 for plenty of redundancy, with standby generator and alarm points for water level/sump run/fail etc.

In my house I don't even have a big enough sump pit for a pump. I eventually want to dig another pit though where the main sewer line exits the house as I want to put a backflow valve for piece of mind, but I don't want to just cover it in cement, I rather have it accessible in case it needs to be maintained. So I'd double that as a sump pit big enough for a pump. I had one time where my main drain blocked and had a close call, but I think there's another drain somewhere within the weeping tile system as it never went past a certain level even though it was raining.

 

[swanysto]

One of my previous jobs had a natural gas generator as a longer backup solution. Was pretty cheap to run and the supply is pretty limitless unless something serious occurs and then it probably doesn't matter.

Only problem with a generator is that you usually have to have a second electrical panel installed. The cost on that is pretty large. You can pick a gas generator for around $3,500 but it usually costs that or more to have another panel installed and everything setup.