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How Does A Battery Backup Sump Pump Work

The backup system acts as a sensor between a sump pump and the current electrical supply. The installer will plug the primary sump pump and a new backup pump into the battery backup controller. Then the battery is connected directly to an electrical outlet. This setup provides a trickle charge for your backup battery.

Are battery backup sump pumps worth it?

Make the Right Decision Sump pumps are a necessity for the modern home, so make sure it has all the protection it needs. A backup sump pump ensures that the excess water caused by rain does not flood your basement when the primary pump fails. With that in mind, the choice to install a battery backup is a no-brainer.

How many hours does a sump pump battery backup last?

As a general rule of thumb, during a power outage most new fully-charged batteries will last roughly 5-7 hours of continuous pumping and roughly 1-3 days of non-continuous pumping depending on the frequency. The longer the pump runs, the less power it has.

How does a battery back up work for a sump pump?

Battery backup for an existing sump pump You plug the sump pump into the battery backup unit, then permanently wire battery cables from your battery into the unit, which provides a trickle charge to the battery. When the power goes out, the sensor will draw from the battery to keep the pump running.

How many years does a backup sump pump battery last?

Battery must be replaced every five years (and costs about $100).

How much does it cost to have a backup sump pump installed?

Sump pump battery backups cost an average of $900, with high costs of $1,200 and low costs of $600. Installing the system by yourself will cost between $160 and $600.Compare Quotes From Top-rated Local Plumbers. Highest Cost $1,200 Lowest Cost $600.

Can I use a car battery for my sump pump?

If the primary battery runs down in an emergency, a standard vehicle battery can be used to provide power to the backup sump pump.

How do you test a battery backup sump pump?

A battery backup sump pump should be tested in the same way as your regular pump. With the primary sump pump unplugged, run through steps 2 and 3 from above and make sure the pump drains the water and shuts off. During the testing process, keep an eye on the battery indicator light.

How long does it take to charge a sump pump battery?

It depends on the size of the battery and the sump pump system that is doing the charging. The Big Dog system has a powerful 20-amp smart charger that will charge a discharged battery in approximately 6 hours.

Are there battery backups for sump pumps?

Backup Sump Pump Batteries There are two types of battery backup sump pumps—DC (battery) and AC/DC. Battery backup systems will switch to DC battery power when the AC power is out or when the pump fails.

How do you reset a battery backup sump pump?

Follow these 5 simple steps to reset your sump pump: Disconnect the power. Take the sump pump out of the basin. Clean out the sump pump. Return the sump pump to the basin and restart the power. Reset the sump pump.

Why does my battery backup sump pump keep beeping?

If the battery has low power levels, this will trigger the alarm. There are a couple steps you can take to confirm your battery no longer holds a charge before you replace it with a new battery (or with the more reliable Water Commander system).

How much electricity does a sump pump use?

The average sump pump uses about 10 kWh of power per month. Make sure you are not overloading your circuits or you could trip the breaker.

What happens to a sump pump when power goes out?

Unfortunately, they almost always run on electricity and will stop pumping water if the power goes out. When this happens, water still continues to flow inside without a way to leave, causing build up of water which happens quickly. Sometimes a sump pump may even lose power even if the rest of the house doesn’t.

How do you manually empty a sump pump?

Here are 5 Tips To Drain Water If Your Sump Pump Fails For small amounts of water, mop it up using a hand mop. You can use a wet/dry vacuum to suck up the water, then dump it outside. If the power is out, remove the water from a hand pump. Use a utility pump with a garden hose attached to the threaded outlet.

Can I install a sump pump myself?

If your sump pump is failing and you need to replace it, it’s a DIY job you can handle yourself. Note: Contact your local building code authorities if you’re digging a sump pit for a new sump pump installation. You may need a permit.

Should I unplug my sump pump in the winter?

Never unplug your sump pump. While you might think you don’t need your sump pump over the winter months, you shouldn’t unplug it entirely. If a warm front comes through, snow melts and a rainstorm hits, you might end up with a wet basement all because you forgot to plug your sump pump back in.

Are water powered sump pumps good?

In multi-day power outages, this might mean the difference between a dry or flooded basement. The Basepump water powered pumps that we sell are very efficient, as well, removing 2 gallons of sump pit water, for every 1 gallon of city water used.

Can I plug a sump pump into a portable battery?

Luckily, you can in fact add a battery backup to an existing sump pump—and it is extremely easy to install.