A sump pump is a pump that is usually installed in a basement on the lower part or a crawlspace. It is useful in helping to keep that area dry preventing it from flooding. Sump pumps are usually installed in sump pits that are specially constructed to drain natural water from the soil. The sump pump then pumps the water out of the pit, away from the building. For a sump pump to work optimally, you will require to have a backup pump battery. Here, we are going to look at the best sump pump backup battery that you can use. We will also look at the variety of the battery that would make it ideal.
You can purchase a sump pump that is powered by a battery for use during emergencies. A battery-powered sump pump should be reliable to continue operating during a power outage, especially during a storm. This will prevent any flooding issues giving you peace of mind that your property remains protected from any damage. The benefits of having a sump pump backup battery are:
Prevention from risk caused by flooding: if you live in a floodplain or an area that has a high water table, you will need to have a sump pump that is in good condition to protect your house and property from damage arising from flooding. In these areas, there is a high chance of experiencing a power outage during storms; this is where a reliable back up battery comes in. It helps in keeping your appliances safe and eradicating the need for repairs or any flood-related damage.
Maintenance: The backup battery for the sump pump is easy to maintain as well as install. It can also work when there is no water supply. However, you need to ensure that you are checking the water levels and the terminals regularly.
Alerts on the pump: modern battery sump pumps now can come equipped with alerts warning you of any dangers that you can expect or when support is required. Some have the ability of monitoring the status of the battery and self-tests informing the owner if an issue arises. This is an excellent feature as it contributes in keeping your house safe by making sure that the pump is working well, keeping your home dry.
Features and specifications of a battery-powered sump pump
When looking for a battery-powered sump pump, the most essential feature to first consider is the strength of the sump pump. This is usually shown in HPs (horsepower). Sump pumps that are powered by a battery typically come with either 1/4 HP, 1/6 HP, 1/3 HP, 3/4HP, 1/2 HP as well as 1 HP motors.
Note: Some sump pumps which are powered by a three-phase electric power may contain numerous HPs motors, such are seldom installed in homes; they are mostly for commercial use.
Like with any product, there are those battery using sump pumps that are most common. These are the 12V sump pumps and 24V sump pumps.
- 12V sump pumps when conditions are normal: you can select a single, high-quality AGM battery.
- 12V sump pumps when requiring to operate them over a longer duration: In this case, you need to choose two high-quality AGM batteries and connect them for use at the same time. In this case, you are advised to use batteries from the same brand.
- 24V sump pumps: you need to use two high-quality AGM batteries connected in series.
Most of these battery powered sump pumps are equipped with their own battery boxes as well as their own battery chargers. It may limit you when it comes to selecting a battery.
It is good to know that when there is an emergency, sump pumps don’t run nonstop. In some cases, some motor controllers will operate the pump motor for about 10-20 seconds when the alarm is triggered, and the next alarm could take a few more hours.
It is good to know the gallons a sump pump can pump in one battery life with respect to the height required. This will let you know if there is a chance of your basement getting flooded before the battery runs out of charge. How long a battery backup sump pump can keep a place dry is dependent on the amount of water that enters into the sump basket. It is good to invest in a good battery powered sump pump that can last through an extended power outage.
When looking for a battery-powered sump pump, you can look at factors such as:
- The volume of the water it pumps: you want to know how much water your sump pump can pump within a given duration. The more water it can pump, the better for you.
- Battery life: You want a battery that can last long in case of a power outage that lasts for long.
- Installation: An easy to install sump pump is desirable.
- Cost: It is good to select a quality product at reasonable price that can serve you for a long time.
