Last Updated on January 2, 2023 by admin
A sump pump is a device that removes groundwater before it may cause damage to your home’s structure or overflow your basement. Sadly, power failures may emerge during large storms, preventing your sump pump from working properly. It’s for this reason that many households choose to have a sump pump battery backup device integrated into their houses. This post will demonstrate how to make a battery backup sump pump.
Table Of Contents
- 0.1 About Sump Pumps Powered by a Battery Backup
- 0.2 Batteries for Sump Pump Backup
- 0.3 Including Just a Backup Power Supply
- 0.4 Process of Adding a Battery Backup Sump Pump
- 0.5 Battery Backup Sump Pump Installation
- 1
- 2 How to Reset Backup Battery Sump Pump
About Sump Pumps Powered by a Battery Backup
In the event that your main sump pump malfunctions because of electricity outages, mechanical problems, or excessive usage, a battery backup sump pump may provide several hours of extra defense against water damage.
To protect the pit from filling up during a rainstorm, the backup sump pump is activated. Using a backup pump, you can effectively increase your pumping capacity. If you’re traveling during a rainstorm and the electricity goes out, you deserve some peace of mind. In this post, we’ll show you how to back up your sump pump correctly.
Batteries for Sump Pump Backup
DC (battery) and AC/DC battery backup sump pumps are the two kinds of standby sump pumps. Whenever the power goes out or the pump fails, battery backup solutions will convert to DC battery power. Pumps can be powered by AC wall current when the power is on, but this might deplete the battery. It is only possible to use DC-powered devices to charge the batteries.
Choosing the right battery for your sump pump isn’t always an easy decision. Wet cell (also known as “wet battery”) batteries and deep-cycle (“maintenance free”) batteries are both common in the maritime and solar markets. Automotive batteries with wet cells are the most prominent.
Because these batteries use lead cells, they must be replenished with pure distilled water from time-to-time. Because they are completely sealed, maintenance-free batteries may be left alone.
Including Just a Backup Power Supply
To power a battery backup, you’ll need to pick up a few items from the store. Obtain a battery, a battery cover, an AC/DC connector, a red and black battery cord.
The battery must be mounted on a wall near a power input. The charger and the pump cannot be used with extension cables. Instructions for mounting the case on the wall will be included in the package.
You’ll need to attach the battery wires to the port after you’ve installed it. The ON/OFF switch must be turned off. The negative charge is represented by the black box, while the positive charge is represented by the red box.
Power the battery and transform AC/DC via the interface. Ensure you connect your pump to the interface’s Ac source and your interface to an AC supply before starting. The Pump Sentry is a nice interface to purchase.
After that, verify whether the battery backup was implemented correctly by running a test. When there is a power failure, disconnect the interface from the Ac source and verify whether your sump activates.
Process of Adding a Battery Backup Sump Pump
The addition of a battery backup pump requires more basin area, an additional discharge pipe, a check valve, and a float switch. Contact a professional to setup the battery backup if you have difficulty mounting the current sump pump.
Batteries for battery backup pumps are not usually included in the packaging. You’ll need to get a high-quality battery for your device. Make sure you acquire a decent one if you plan on using it in an emergency.
Creating a System for Discharge Pipelines
Consider where the discharge lines will be connected first. A smart idea is to buy a PVC pipe with an aperture for the standby pipe. Connection of the primary discharge line with the principal pump is mandatory.
The battery pump and backup hose must be at 45-degree angles to each other. At the very end, a Y-connector is used to link it to the primary pipe. Assure all check valves are installed below the 45 ° angle, as well as underneath the Y connection.
To prevent water from reentering the sump pumps, check valves have been installed on both sump pumps. With merely a check valve for the primary pipe, water will flow backward when the battery backup is operational.
Setting Up the Backup Battery System
You may now begin putting in the battery backup. The backup sump pump should be placed near the primary sump pump, but it should not contact. Linking the discharge lines is the next step.
The battery backup’s float switch should be placed above the primary pump. Decide at what point in time the battery backup should activate, and mark it on the water. To use, connect a discharge line to the float switch.
The battery backup adapter may be plugged in at this point. An ordinary charger will do in place of an interface in this instance. Then AC/DC conversion process is unnecessary.
Conducting a Test on the Setup
Once this is finished, unplug the main pump and examine the backup battery. Reaching the desired water level may need many buckets.
Battery replacement and routine maintenance are still required every three years. Even if your primary pump fails, your basements will be kept dry with this battery backup.
Battery Backup Sump Pump Installation
How to Reset Backup Battery Sump Pump
Sump pumps are crucial when it comes to mitigating water damage and extracting water from a flooded basement.
It is important to know how to handle a battery backup sump pump. This way, you’ll be fully prepared in the event of flooding. This includes resetting the sump pump, especially if the alarm keeps beeping for no apparent reason.
In this guide, we’ll explore how to reset a battery backup sump pump properly.
How Does It Work?
Flooding can inflict serious amounts of damage on houses and buildings. Having a sump pump can greatly reduce the risk of water spreading to more areas and damaging more items and materials.
When the water rises above a certain level, a sump pump will collect the excess water through its basin and push it out of your home.
There are several types of sump pumps, mainly submersible and pedestal pumps. The former, as the name suggests, operates underwater and is typically faster, quieter, and more reliable.
Pedestal pumps, on the other hand, are mounted upright. Their motor isn’t meant to get in contact with water. They aren’t as powerful as submersible pumps but generally last longer because they’re not constantly in water.
Whether submersible or pedestal, they accomplish the same thing as regular sump pumps.
The main difference is that they include a battery-powered backup that will run in case a power shortage occurs. It does not replace the primary pump – it starts operating in case the primary pump fails to run.
Why Does the Battery Backup Alarm Keep Beeping?
Most sump pumps are equipped with alarm systems that will notify you in case something is wrong. Here are the most common issues that can set off your alarm and what you can do about them.
Wiring Problem
If your battery backup sump pump detects an electrical issue, the alarm will go off. If left unchecked, wiring connections can get loose over time.
Be mindful when handling wires around water. Before checking the wiring, switch off the power completely. Then, see if the switch and pump are properly connected to the battery box control unit.
Power Outage
Battery backup sump pump alarms are designed to go off whenever there is a power shortage. This is an important feature but one that may not be useful when you’re deliberately cutting off power and troubleshooting the sump pump.
To stop the alarm from beeping, you can either disconnect the battery or silence it using the “reset” button, usually for 24 hours, until you’re done troubleshooting.
Primary Sump Pump Failure
If the primary pump fails for whatever reason, the battery backup alarm will be set off until the issue is resolved.
Checking whether the primary sump pump is working is easy. If it’s not visibly running, there’s definitely an issue that needs to be looked at.
Proper maintenance can fix the issue. Otherwise, you may need to replace the primary sump pump.
Battery Low on Fluid
Backup batteries in sump pumps require fluid up to a certain level to function properly. If the battery sensors detect an inadequate fluid level, the alarm will start beeping.
By replenishing the battery cells, the sensors will stop triggering an alarm. If the water alarms are correct, yet the alarm keeps beeping, there could be an issue with the battery cells or the sensors.
Low/Bad Battery
If the backup battery is dead, dying, or malfunctioning, the alarm will be triggered. To fix this, you’ll need to recharge the battery or replace it if it’s damaged.
If all of these issues are solved, yet the alarm won’t stop beeping, you can attempt to reset the sump pump alarm manually. However, examine it thoroughly to make sure it’s in perfect working order.
How to Know Whether Your Battery Backup Sump Pump is Working Properly
It grants you peace of mind knowing that you’re still covered even if the primary pump fails. Naturally, it would be a disaster if both stopped working during a flood.
To check that your battery backup sump pump is up and running, first, make sure that it’s plugged in with the indicators lit normally.
In addition, see if there’s any visible damage, clogging, or leakage. You can then examine the inside of the sump pump for any issues. If it’s a submersible pump, you’ll need to carefully detach it and reassemble it later.
Now, here are the ultimate tests for both the primary pump and the backup battery:
- Simply pour enough water around the pump or inside the pump basin if it’s a submersible pump, and see if it sucks the water in and pushes it out effectively.
- Similarly, pour an amount of water, only this time shut down the electricity and see if the battery backup’s got your back.
How to Reset
Resetting the battery backup sump pump can fix a lot of issues, including an alarm that keeps beeping.
Keep in mind that as long as the alarm is off, something is probably still wrong with the pump. It’s recommended that you thoroughly check your sump pump before resetting it.
Here is how you can properly reset your battery backup sump pump.
1. Switch Off the Power
Water and electrical systems aren’t a safe combination. To avoid frying the equipment or shocking yourself, you need to start by disconnecting the power before you handle anything.
You can unplug the power cord from the outlet or turn off the power switch. If there’s been recent flooding, the safest thing to do is to turn off the circuit breaker before unplugging the sump pump.
2. Remove the Sump Pump From the Basin (Submersible)
If you have a submersible, you need to take it out of the basin once it’s turned off. The components will then be easily accessed. Connectors and pipes should be carefully disconnected in the process.
The user manual of your battery backup sump pump can come in handy, as you’ll find the required steps to disassemble the pump connections.
3. Clear the Accumulated Debris
For the reset to be effective, you need to make sure the interior of your battery backup sump pump is clear of debris and dirt. Debris is accumulated over time and can eventually clog the drains and jam the motor, so it needs to be removed.
Inspect your battery backup sump pump and clean it out thoroughly before proceeding to reset it.
The same applies to the drainage pipes. Before connecting the sump pump again, make sure the lines are not clogged.
4. Reattach the Sump Pump
Once the drain lines and the sump pump are cleared of debris, you can reassemble everything using the instruction manual if needed.
If it’s submersible, carefully place it back inside the sump basin and reattach it to the drain pipes.
5. Switch the Power Back On
With everything in place, you can now restore the power. Plug the battery backup sump pump into the electrical outlet and switch on the circuit breaker if it’s off.
Note that if your battery backup sump pump does not have a reset button, switching the power off and on will cycle its motor and reset the system.
6. Reset the Battery Backup Pump
If your battery backup sump pump includes a reset button, you can now press it to cycle the motor.
While you can press the reset button before doing the previous steps, it’s highly recommended to thoroughly inspect and clean the sump pump before restoring the power and resetting the pump.
The exact location of the reset button varies from one model to another. It can be labeled “RESET,” “TEST,” or ALARM TEST/RESET,” among other things.
The way the button works varies depending on the model as well. You may need to press it once or hold it for a second or more until you hear the motor system cycling.
Resetting the Alarm
As long as the battery backup sump pump is working correctly, pressing the “reset” button should cycle the motor and stop the alarm from beeping.
If there’s something wrong with the pump, the alarm will keep going off until the issue is resolved.
However, for most models, you can press and hold the “reset” button for several seconds to silence the alarm for 24 hours. This is useful when your sump pump is under maintenance, for instance.
By checking your user manual or contacting your sump pump manufacturer, you can make sure you’re doing it right.
Final Thoughts on how to make a battery backup sump pump
Battery backup sump pumps are worthwhile investments that can prevent a great deal of water damage to your home.
While they are durable and require very little maintenance and troubleshooting, you may need to reset them from time to time, particularly if the backup battery alarm keeps beeping.
Not all battery backup sump pumps have reset buttons. If they don’t, you can disconnect the power, make sure they are unclogged, and restore the power to cycle the motor.
If they have a reset button, it’s still recommended to do the same process before resetting the system. This way, you can potentially fix a wider range of problems.
Your sump pump, like every other mechanical appliance in your house, could ultimately fail. In the long run, the sump pump’s moving components will age out or collapse and need replacing. Battery backup pumps and secondary sump pumps are the greatest safeguards against a sump pump failure, so make sure you have both on hand. Hopefully, you found this information on how to make a battery backup sump pump useful.
