Recently, due to a bad storm, our power went out for 18 hrs and we ended up getting a lot of water in the basement cause our pump wasn't powered. I've had some suggest having a battery backup pump...and some say "just get a generator".
I've received estimates of $1,500.00 for the battery backup system......is that high ?
2006-10-26 10:40:51 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Would you consider both options? Install a battery backup to keep the pump running during short outages, but have a generator as well. If the power is out for only a few hours and you will be home to start the generator there will be no flooding. The generator can recharge the batteries while running.
You need to determine how often the sump pump operates in order to calculate the size of the battery backup needed. If you assume a maximum battery backup time of 12 hours and run the generator for the other 12 hours each day you could get through most outages.
$1500 seems rather high, but without more knowledge of the system and its capacity it is somewhat meaningless.
If you go with the generator option, have a look at my web page.
http://members.rennlist.org/warren/generator.html
2006-10-26 12:03:23 · answer #1 · answered by Warren914 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A sump pump is to pump out the water when it gets up to the sensor on the pump and turns on. Is this in a boat? A backup battery pack is nice, but if the sump pump breaks down or quits, the backup battery will not do you any good. A Backup sump pump is a good idea, but mount it about an inch higher than the primary pump, and them if will not be turning on and off all the time at the same time the primary pump does. If the primary pump quits, and then the secondary is mounted one inch higher, then it will keep the water out when the other fails, and only be one inch more water.
2016-05-21 23:05:18 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The cost of being absolutely sure goes up with reliability and redundancy. Battery plus portable generator would be fine, but at the total cost involved I would opt for a home standby generator with an automatic transfer switch. That way, home or away, if the power goes out, the generator starts and powers your house till the power comes back on. Most are powered by natural gas or propane, so there is no need to haul gasoline or diesel fuel. I have had a 15kW Generac for years, and love it. It has saved my basement from flooding several times. One time the power was out for several days, it ran all the electrical in my house, including the well pump and the stove. You couldn't even tell you were off the grid. I think Home Depot sells them for around $3000. If you are pretty handy, you could install it yourself. The kit comes with everything you need.
2006-10-27 01:41:06 · answer #3 · answered by shfincter S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it is high. If you are away from the home a lot of time or if you have no place to put generator ( must be outside under the roof not in house or garage) then it may be only solution. Remember also that if there is no power for several hour battery may only last so long (2-3 hours) and then the flooding will begin.
2006-10-26 10:59:13 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, that is very high. It should only be a few hundred dollars at most.
You can even do it yourself.
They have them at Lowe's or Home Depot.
A generator is fine, but what happens if the power goes out when you aren't home to fire up and connect the generator to the sump pump?
2006-10-26 10:48:38 · answer #5 · answered by markmywordz 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yep that's a high estimate. If I owned the place I would have both. It takes time to get your generator started once you've woken up from a dead sleep because of the waves lapping at your floorboards.
2006-10-26 12:00:09 · answer #6 · answered by cabbiinc 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
how about a car inverter 800 or 1000 watts
I have one for camping or power outages for lights
works great
2006-10-26 10:49:12 · answer #7 · answered by fred flintstone 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋