Backup Solutions for Sump Pumps

[Mean Daddy]

I like posting things like this on FR as there is a lot of wisdom from members.

I have a fairly new 1/3 hp Zoeller sump pump but considering a backup in case of power outage:

1. Whole house generator connected to natural gas. Depending on model, kW, this can cost $10-25,000.

2. Traditional generator that plugs into utility meter socket or a smaller standalone just for the pump. $500 - $3,000 solution.

3. UPS with two batteries but fairly expensive. $3,000 by my estimation. Allows for software monitoring of system.

4. Two battery system with inverter, charger, inline fuse & kit to tie together batteries. Leaning towards this as it would power the sump pump.

5. Separate pump with battery. One of the cheaper options but haven't heard great things about them.

6. Water powered backup sump pump. Uses city water to pump out sump pump.

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[Mean Daddy]

Am I missing any other options? What are you using and how did you land on that particular solution? Option 4 is what I'm leaning towards because it allows me to put it together while leaving the current configuration alone. I just need help identifying the right components, best brand of components and how to build. Any insights would be appreciated.

[GOP_Party_Animal]

I have option #5 and it’s saved me a few times over the course of the past 10 years. Reliable, inexpensive system.

[eastexsteve]

Natural gas can also fail during a power outage. The people of Texas found this out the hard way during the big freeze.

[sauropod]

Bkmk

[FamiliarFace]

Do you travel out of town with any frequency? We seem to be doing that a lot more the last couple of years, and the trend is growing. Last year we invested in a whole house automatic generator using natural gas. We tend to have a decent amount of power outages here, and I got tired of using the portable generator, lugging it out, starting it, attaching the different items, and then reversing when the power came back on. Not to mention, a portable generator requires someone present during the power outage. We got our generator through Costco, and the total cost was $13,700 all in. Costco was great. Had a local company come and do the install. It is definitely peace of mind for when we are away.

[1Old Pro]

Why not a portable power station?

[FamiliarFace]

I think the freezing situation in Texas that year isn’t the scenario in Iowa or the Midwest in general. Our generator still kicked on even at -15 degrees like we had this past winter.

[MomentsofSanity]

back up pump hooked up to a marine battery. UPS can struggle with the start up power needed to run sump pumps.

[ConservativeMind]

We had a water powered backup, and I can say if you have a power outage due to storms, the water has no where to go, if you are downhill and where water will pool.

The mechanism used for backup won’t help unless it throws it outside your basement and not into the city pipes.

[Clay Moore]

Don’t know how much it needs to run but you can do an inverter that you can alligator clip to your car battery and let it run during the pump cycle.

It’s relatively cheap, compact and you don’t have a bunch of apparatus to maintain.

[pfflier]

Your car. Some have inverters built in for convenience. I have one car with 12V, 5V USB and 120VAC 15A connectors available off battery or when running.

Also you can hook up an inverter directly to your battery and use that car running or not running..

[Vision]

Basement Watchdog.

[freedomlover]

I’m with you on that setup. I’m a cheapskate but a whole house generator running on propane is the best money I have ever spent. When the big lightning comes in our area at 3AM and the power cuts out I just smile and wiggle my little warm toes as the GENERAC kicks in.
Couple that with my local propane dealer’s monitoring of my propane level and autofilling it, I’m golden.

[Clay Moore]

Also when you are sizing generators and inverters, make sure that you compare apples to apples because some are advertised on surge amperage while others are rated at running output current.

[not in the club]

Battery backup with marine battery has worked for me, and my pump runs frequently. I keep a generator on hand for any extended outages.
The syphon pumps might be a better alternative since they do not require any electricity or intervention. They used to be expensive, but they are cheaper than battery backups now.
Thanks for asking; I needed the reminder to test my backup pump.

[PAR35]

After a basement flood following a power outage during a tropical storm, I know someone in Florida that went with Option 1. They didn’t have gas service, so they also had to run a natural gas line to it.

Every time a storm threatens, they’ve been glad that they have it.

If they resume rolling blackouts around here, I’m planning to get one to keep the AC running.

[Pontiac]

First catalog your possible needs. Are there any other needs for power other than a sump pump?

Do you have a freezer with a lot of food stored that an extended power outage would render useless?

How often do you need a sump pump?

Does you pump run frequently? If it runs daily/hourly a battery backup would not do the trick. My brother's pump runs about every 20 minutes. He needs something like a 10-15 kw generator with auto-transfer switch.

Do you have healthcare equipment that keeps you alive that requires electricity?

How cold are your winters? If you need electric power to provide heat you might need a generator. One winter my power was out for 2 weeks after a big snow storm hit my area. My house was the only house on my road without power. I was low priority for restoration.

If your needs are small, you can go small. But first know what your needs are.

[Empire_of_Liberty]

I agree with knowing your needs. Sump pumps cycle. If they are 120V, then a “Kill-A-Watt”-type meter can easily tell you what power you need and how much energy in 24 hours.

A small solar panel/controller/battery setup might run your sump pump and do so indefinitely.

[1FreeAmerican]

Electrical contractor here.

Small portable dual fuel generator that can connect to your NG.
Male Inlet plug with connected to the service via a breaker in the service.
Simple dead-front main breaker lock-out. This is a physical device that will prevents the male inlet breaker from being closed unless the main breaker is opened first. Then visa-vera to return to utility power.

[Mean Daddy]

Enough to where I don’t want to have to worry about lugging around a generator, plugging into my car etc. Just being gone for a couple hours is a risk. How long ago did you do the Cosco generator, what brand & kW, if that’s ok to share. Thank you.