Comments on: Wayne Backup Sump Pump

By: Andrew

Andrew — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 09:36:22 +0000

Since a UPS is basically not really supported on Windows Home Server….

Hasn’t everyone notice in how WHS needs everyone to create third party solutions just to enable missing basic functions?

WHS wants everyone else to build their product for them, with third party add-ins while paying Microsoft to support their own product!

By: bob

bob — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 19:57:20 +0000

The best pumps on the market are made by Zoeller.

Consider pumps with backup power supply in case the house power fails.

Zoeller Company makes battery back-up pumps:
http://www.deanbennett.com/basement-backup.htm

The also have a pump that uses the house’s water system pressure if power fails. No battery required:
http://www.deanbennett.com/homeguard.htm

By: Zathrus

Zathrus — Mon, 12 May 2008 21:15:03 +0000

A sump pump (or any other device with a motor) may not work off a UPS since they’re expecting true AC current and not the false sine wave generated by most UPS’s. You can get a UPS that generates a true sine, but last time I looked (several years ago) they were vastly more than $200. An order of magnitude more at least.

And note — if it doesn’t like the square-ish wave output by the UPS it may still run… it’ll just die a horrible death relatively quickly. Which kind of defeats the purpose of a backup.

By: bowdesnki

bowdesnki — Mon, 12 May 2008 19:59:23 +0000

Please make some suggestions for UPS.
I can’t see a downside except if the main sump pump fails, then it would be good to have the battery powered/backup model kick in.
Especially if I was not home to hear the leakfrogs.

By: Wheels17

Wheels17 — Mon, 12 May 2008 19:57:19 +0000

I guess I must be ultra-paranoid. I have one of the water ones installed in my house. I’ve tested it a couple of times, and it seems to work well. Never tested the consumption, as I’ve always been around to connect the generator when we’ve had a power failure. It’s reputed to take about 1 gallon per gallon pumped, less with more pressure.

The good side of the water power is that there’s no dependence on a battery that may be old and dead by the time it needs to run.

The bad side is that you need to leave the water on if you’re gone for an extended period of time, so there’s an increase in the risk of a “water event”. Someday I’ll separate the sump pump and house supplies….

By: robd

robd — Mon, 12 May 2008 18:16:02 +0000

For $220 I can buy a pretty nice UPS for existing standard sump pump.

By: MikeT

MikeT — Mon, 12 May 2008 17:46:48 +0000

For the ultra paranoid, you can also find backup sump pumps that run off city water and use no electricity at all. Though I’d hate to see that first post-hurricane water bill…