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Power Backup for Sump Pump

M

mrEvil

Golden Member
Okay, sort of tired, so let me know if I forget to give any info here.

Basic question is what type of UPS do I need to look at for a battery backup for my sump pump? In a new neighborhood and have had power outages and my pump runs often when it rains. So, before it becomes an issue, I need to get an UPS for the sump pump. Too many valueable items down there not to.

I know there is the question about how much do I want to spend/how long do I want it to be able to run for. That is definitely a question that I will have to answer myself. I am wondering who else has done this and what type/how big of an UPS they purchased.

TIA!
 
they make backup sump pumps for exactly what you want. go to your local plumbing store (lowes is ok but the ppl at the actual plumbing store will know more) and they will be able to give you exactly what you want.


MIKE
 
yeap and they are not that expensive. The one we are going to get installed is $150 +$100 installation
 
Originally posted by: Squisher
Water powered sump pumps are better for back up.

<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="</blockquote>
">http://masterhandyman.com/colu...">Text</a>[/q

That's talking about a battery powered backup pump. The OP is talking about using a UPS for his sump pump.

I've thought about getting a UPS too but haven't done much research at all. I don't know how long the pump needs to run or how often. We're not in a bad flood area and we don't have many outages but for really bad storms, it may be nice.
Click to expand...
 
I'd expect a battery-powered backup sump pump to be more efficient since the motor draws 12VDC (or 24VDC or whatever) directly. There's no power wasted inverting the DC into AC like would occur with a UPS. If you try the UPS route, you need to make sure your UPS' inverter can handle the initial surge required when the motor first starts up.

Be aware that a battery-powered backup pump generally pumps less than a mains powered pump. During a really bad storm, it might not be enough.

 
UPS?....why don't you just get a generator and some long extension cords? That way you can plug in your sump, some lights, and fridge/freezer too and not worry about your food spoiling?

...or is that not how they're made? I could swear that when I was a kid we just hoooked out sump into a generator with an extension and then didn't have to worry.
 
Originally posted by: Gooberlx2
UPS?....why don't you just get a generator and some long extension cords? That way you can plug in your sump, some lights, and fridge/freezer too and not worry about your food spoiling?

...or is that not how they're made? I could swear that when I was a kid we just hoooked out sump into a generator with an extension and then didn't have to worry.
Click to expand...

Plain and simple, a generator does not fulfill my needs here. Who is going to start the generator if this happens while I am at work? Besides that, any generator that I would get for this would be 2-3 times, minimum, what I would spend on the backup sump pump solution.

I like generators, just not for this issue.

 
Originally posted by: mrEvil
Plain and simple, a generator does not fulfill my needs here. Who is going to start the generator if this happens while I am at work? Besides that, any generator that I would get for this would be 2-3 times, minimum, what I would spend on the backup sump pump solution.
Click to expand...
You can get a small generator for under $150 (from HD when I worked there), or a decent 3500 watt for $299 from costco. A decent deep cell battery (with about 100 minutes of capacity) will run ya at least 90, plus the inverter (1000-1200 watt minimum for the surge start capacity of even a small sump pump) plus the pump itself, puts you well over the cost of a generator.

A computer UPS will only run a sump pump for a matter of minutes, if not seconds. A decent sump pump will require a good 750 watts, and will pull almost 2000 for a split second on powerup. Concidering the $400 UPS I have only puts out a max of 700 watts with a runtime of less than 20 minutes, a UPS is not the way to go.

Either way, you will still have to be there. If the power goes out and you are at work, are you going to stay at work?? most places can not stay open for long without power. Which means you will be at home.

this leaves your options at a 12v pump and deep cycle battery (fully automatic, but more $ then a generator) a water powered pump (very cool, and runs forever) or a generator.

So, really, a generator DOES fulfill your needs, you just don't want to accept it.
 
Originally posted by: Evadman
<blockquote>quote:
<hr><i>Originally posted by: <b>mrEvil</b></i>
Plain and simple, a generator does not fulfill my needs here. Who is going to start the generator if this happens while I am at work? Besides that, any generator that I would get for this would be 2-3 times, minimum, what I would spend on the backup sump pump solution.<hr></blockquote>
You can get a small generator for under $150 (from HD when I worked there), or a decent 3500 watt for $299 from costco. A decent deep cell battery (with about 100 minutes of capacity) will run ya at least 90, plus the inverter (1000-1200 watt minimum for the surge start capacity of even a small sump pump) plus the pump itself, puts you well over the cost of a generator.

A computer UPS will only run a sump pump for a matter of minutes, if not seconds. A decent sump pump will require a good 750 watts, and will pull almost 2000 for a split second on powerup. Concidering the $400 UPS I have only puts out a max of 700 watts with a runtime of less than 20 minutes, a UPS is not the way to go.

Either way, you will still have to be there. If the power goes out and you are at work, are you going to stay at work?? most places can not stay open for long without power. Which means you will be at home.

this leaves your options at a 12v pump and deep cycle battery (fully automatic, but more $ then a generator) a water powered pump (very cool, and runs forever) or a generator.

So, really, a generator DOES fulfill your needs, you just don't want to accept it.
Click to expand...

I was about to say the same thing..
And, I'll add that in the case of wide-spread power outages lasting long enough to matter... wouldn't it be nice to not have to worry about your food rotting?

Plus, some of the generators are self-starting. (of course models that are would cost more money for that feature)

btw, you mention that your pump runs often when it rains... what capacity does it have? How many horsepower (or Watts)

Anyway, here's a location for you I found while googling for something else:
http://emergencypowersupply.com/

They advertise up to 2 days UPS for sump pump...
 
info from that site:
Easy to install, self contained unit
Rechargeable, long life batteries - included!
Backup power for as much has 43 hours of normal use
UL LISTED with advanced electronic engineering
Finally, a backup for your sump pump that works!

HOURS OF ENERGY BACKUP FOR SUMP PUMPS

Protection from ground water to heavy rain, even when the power is out!

EPS SUMP PUMP GUARDIAN

$439.00 plus $39.99 S&amp;H

Click HERE to Purchase!

BACKUP POWER SUPPLY UNIT
1) Installation of your EPS SUMP PUMP GUARDIAN:

* Place the EPS SUMP PUMP GUARDIAN above the sump pit, out of all water and in an area where air circulates. The GUARDIAN must be kept dry at all times ? it is an electrical product!
* Connect the external battery unit to the EPS Sump Pump Guardian, using the enclosed cable.
* Plug the GUARDIAN into the outlet and let it charge while turned on for 24 hours.
* After the GUARDIAN has charged for 24 hours, plug the sump pump into one of the outlets of the GUARDIAN.
* The GUARDIAN is ready to go!

2) The EPS SUMP PUMP GUARDIAN has 2800va/1680W of stored energy to power the sump pump. Energy is expected to last for several hours, depending upon the size and efficiency of the sump pump motor. Testing with the GUARDIAN on a new 1/2HP sump pump, pumping water ten feet (up) provided this duration of backup energy:
Normal Use/Ground water 43 hours
Light Rain/mist 32 hours
Rain 16 hours
Heavy Rain/Thunderstorm 11 hours
Constant Use 6 hours
Flooding/continuous use 1.5 hours
Click to expand...

So, figure you'll get 24 hours if you're lucky. (between light rain and rain)
Personally, I'd go with the generator if I was paying that much money... far more versatile.
 
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