I am going to be installing a back-up sump pump. I grew uneasy watching the level of water in the sump pit rise during our first major storm in October (first time homeowner). I was waiting for the power to go out that night and kill my standard pump, but luckily it never did.

Since that night, I have invested in a 6k watt generator and a utility pump, just in case. I have a three-pronged strategy, the third leg being a back-up sump pump to provide both extra capacity and power-out duties in the event I am not there and can't start up the generator.

I have come up with 2 possible backup sump pump options - the standard 12 volt battery powered system, or the water powered venturi sump pump. The battery powered back up has higher initial cost and long-range battery replacement costs, while the water powered only costs me money once it turns on (it uses city water to "power" it).

My thoughts are to go with the conventional 12 volt battery system due to higher capacity, but thought I would see if anyone has experience with either system and could offer insight.

If it matters, I am considering the Basement WatchDog BWD12-120C, as it offers AC/DC operation and has advanced monitoring software.

Maybe somebody could design a gadget that would have a float and switch, which would be switched to your generator, starting it when the water level gets to high (meaning that the power is out and your sump pump isn't pumping) For safety, I would add a switch that disconnects the public elec. supply, should the Gen. start up.

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I would think that a proper generator transfer switch would be the desired option. If the generator has the capability of electric start, and can start itself when power is lost, this option would be superior to a 12V system or a venturi style pump. Each of those two options requires some configuration and maintenance, where a proper generator and transfer switch is always ready to go.

With a properly sized pump this system should have no issues. You could have an auxiliary backup pump that could be activated in a real emergency if the water level rises higher than the main pump can handle. Naturally, you'd need to be home in such a case.

Thorsen,

I installed a 12VDC bildge pump (500 gpm) with a jump start gel cel type battery for my sump pump back-up. Initially I used a car battery but after 3-4 years it needed to be replaced. The jump start type gel cel battery is the best way to go. I typically top off the charge every couple of months. The bildge pump and float are reasonable priced compared to the basement watchdog type of systems.

My battery back sump pump saved me once when the regular sump pump went out.

As a back-up to all of this I bought a used Onan 6K Watt gas generator. The generator is only usefull if you are home and awake to start it up. My generator can power my entire house (provided the air conditioner is off) as well as the neighbors sump pump.

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Ray
1998 Mercedes E320, 200K Miles
2001 Acura 3.2TL, 178K Miles
1992 Chevy Astro, 205K Miles

Yea that!

With or without the generator back up sump pumps should be code IMO, since they always fail. The keep a five gallon bucket next to the crock if the ship really hits the fan. I have seen: The generator fail to start; the back up fail and a guy who could not get the lid off of the crock to bail the water manually; same house same event I was called in for the rescue with my battery powered hatchet to cut the crock lid off and we proceeded to drink beer and haul buckets of water out once they filled.

The generator transfer would not work in my situation. I keep my generator locked in my garage, and don't really want it to run if I'm not there, even if it is in an enclosure. It is loud as all get out, and wouldn't want to PO my nieghbors if I cranked up at 3am.

luckily i live on the side of a hill and my ftg drains passively.

tom w

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..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

To add another level of redundancy, I have a "waterbug" device in the passive sump pit. It's tied to my monitored security system. If the water rises and contacts the "bug", the montoring company will call me to let me know that I might want to check the basement. I acutally got called on my cell phone once and when I checked the basement was perfectly dry. However, the bug in my passive drain had detected a sewer line that was just starting to back up. Roto rooter in to cut out the tree roots and I was back in business. The bug saved me from having a less than pleasant mess in the basement. Cheap insurance, especially if your basement is finished.

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Buy a couple of marine bilge pumps with float switches and get a Die Hard to run them. Not sure how high they will pump but some push a pretty good volume.

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MB-less

This doesn't help the prevention part, but if you do get flooding frequently it may be worth looking into.

My parents are in Buffalo... and they just had that huge storm in October. All the snow melted quickly and water was everywhere with power out. The FEMA and insurance folks coming around later said you can get an inexpensive rider on your homeowners insurance - maybe $15 - for sump pump failures. It isn't clear if this covers when power is out so check on that.

I know many people in my parents neighborhood have finished their basements to look as nice as any living room. If there was damage the insurance would be a help to replace carpet and walls.

Chuck

Cheap too, good thinkin!

I actually looked into bilge pumps this morning. A 2000 GPH 12 volt bilge pump (pulls about 15 amps) runs about $100. A good battery will be in the neighborhood of $100. The catch is the charger. The system I referenced in the above post has a 20amp charger so the pump will run off AC power if it is available, then switch to the battery when power goes off. I don't know of a charger that can trickle the battery, but also go full-power if AC is present to effectively run the pump from the charger and save the battery for when the lights go out.

As Yogi would say: If you don't want your sump pump to backup, backup your sump pump.

Basement Watchdog. Available at Home Depot.

Pricey YES, the best YES.
(They use Salt Water Bilge pumps, and smart charging).
I've used mine as the primary setup when the real primary failed. Note WHEN not IF the sump pump fails.

Neighbor had the TOP O LINE backup setup installed by some local plumber, I've had to help him fix it twice (in 2 years).
My Watchdog is 15 years old, I did replace the pump recently, this is the 3rd Battery, and I had the system "rebuilt" years ago. They are local for me.
And my "Sump" runs constantly. In the driest weather several times an hours, in this rain, every 10 minutes

DON'T GET THE ACE IN THE HOLE

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Thanks for the info. That's what I wanted to know. I didn't realize they were HQ'ed in Lincolnshire.