Sump Pump Batteries

[VeeDubb]

A friend told me to buy backup batteries for our sump pump, but I took a look at the thing and I can't see where I would install the batteries? It seems to me the only way it would work is if there is some back up system, not just back up batteries. Am I correct in my thinking?

Sorry if this question is ignorant. I'm from California and this is the first time I've ever had a basement and sump pump.

 

[keith]

I don't have a sump pump, so can't comment with any real details. Is the pump on 110V or 220V? I would imagine that a large computer UPS could power a pump for a short while, otherwise you would need a generator. If you want the pump to operate when you are away from home, then you need an autostart hookup and those don't come cheap.

Keith.

 

[Gary Allan]

Put "battery powered sump pumps" into a search engine and you'll learn more than you want to know about them.

Some are quite expensive ..but also appear to have a few "features" riding on the actual pump's back.

Apparently whomever recommended that you get "extra" batteries has had need to have them since power interuptions ..and flooding are obviously a side effect of experiencing all that great life there

 

[Matt_S]

In most cases, you would install a second, battery-powered pump with a wye fitting to connect it to the existing drain pipe. You don't connect your primary pump to the batteries. They also have backup pumps that are powered by water pressure. If you're hooked to city water, this can be a good option because you don't have to worry about batteries running out during an extended outage. If you choose to go battery, though, you would be wise to get a spare as your neighbor recommends.

 

[MolaKule]

Generally, a battery charger charges a battery which powers the pump's DC motor.

 

[XS650]

If loss of power is a concern, have you considered a back-up generator? You could run your sump pump with it and have some electricty for other things. It might even cost less than a battery powered sump pump. It takes a lot of battery power to pump any significant amount of water for very long.