I Tested And Reviewed 6 Best Battery For Sump Pump Backup (2023)

I recently had a terrible experience with my basement flooding due to a failed sump pump. Determined to find a reliable solution, I purchased the largest basement watchdog system from Lowe's. Initially, I was skeptical because of the high price tag of nearly $600, but I decided to give it a try. Unfortunately, the pump turned out to be useless and I had to return it.

However, I didn't give up and decided to invest in the Wayne battery, as recommended by the manufacturer. To my surprise, the Wayne battery and the entire system exceeded my expectations. The installation process was a breeze and took me only 30 minutes. The system came fully assembled and the battery was already charged, making it ready to use right out of the box.

I didn't even need the instructions to set it up. I simply placed the backup pump float just above the primary pump to ensure quicker activation. After plugging everything in and filling the hole, the system immediately started pumping out the water. I even tested it by unplugging the main pump, simulating a power outage, and the backup pump kicked in seamlessly, efficiently removing the water from the hole.

The quality of the system is impressive, and it operates quietly, almost eerily quiet. This is likely due to some modifications I made, such as adding three rubber couplings to prevent noise transfer through the pipes. I also installed a 'klunkless' check valve to prevent water hammer. It's worth mentioning that this kit does not include a check valve, so I purchased one separately.

In terms of compatibility, the fittings on the sump pump are designed for 1 1/2" pipes, so you may need reducers to connect it to a 1 1/4" pipe. I had to make two trips to the hardware store to get the necessary parts, but overall, the process was straightforward.

I am extremely satisfied with the PumpSpy monitoring system. The installation process was incredibly easy, and I found that it offers more comprehensive monitoring options compared to other systems I considered. One feature that I particularly appreciate is the color-coded connectors for the backup pump and float switches. This makes the setup process quick, effortless, and virtually foolproof.

Although the WIFI setup took a little longer to connect, it functions perfectly once connected. Another advantage of the PumpSpy controller is that it powers the main pump, allowing for partial monitoring. This means that the controller can detect if the main pump is drawing too much current, indicating a potential jammed or partially jammed impeller. Additionally, it monitors the main pump cycles and identifies a failure when the battery backup float switch is activated while the main pump is not drawing any current.

The backup pump has on/off points that are very close to each other, resulting in a cycle time of 10 seconds in most cases. If the second float switch is activated, it indicates total system failure or excessive water seepage. To ensure the backup pump is functioning correctly, it is test cycled every other day, providing a warning in case of backup pump failure before it is needed.

One suggestion I have to further enhance the system is to allow for separate testing of the main pump. Currently, the main pump's float switch is in line with the pump power, preventing periodic testing. If PumpSpy were to supply both the main and backup pumps, separating the main pump float switch would provide an additional level of protection. However, even without this feature, the PumpSpy system still offers comprehensive monitoring capabilities.

In a recent experience, my main sump pump failed after four months of installation. However, thanks to PumpSpy, I received a text notification about the failure, and the backup pump seamlessly took over. Without PumpSpy, I wouldn't have known about the failure until my basement started flooding, causing panic. I was able to replace the main pump at my convenience, knowing that the backup pump had successfully handled the situation.

It's important to acknowledge that sump pumps will eventually fail, and with the PumpSpy system, there are no worries. Overall, I highly recommend the PumpSpy monitoring system as it provides exceptional monitoring functions that surpass competing products.

I have been using this pump inverter for a day now and I am impressed with its performance. I paired it with an affordable marine battery and let the internal charger do its job. The voltage regulation during the charging process was excellent, with the voltage settling at 13.8 volts once the battery was fully charged. The green light indicator is a great feature to let me know when the charging is complete.

I haven't had the chance to measure the total charge and discharge currents yet, but I am planning to do so once I receive a meter shunt. However, even without the exact measurements, I am pleased with the performance of this inverter. I tested it by unplugging the mains and the inverter successfully maintained power to my pump. With my pump cycling every 4-5 minutes for about 10 seconds, the voltage remained above 13 volts for the first 4 hours. After running for 15 hours, the voltage stayed around 12.4 volts, dipping to 12.1 volts only when the pump was running.

I am considering adding a second battery in parallel to double the run time, as this inverter has exceeded my expectations so far. The company has been very responsive in answering my questions, which I appreciate. I will continue to test and gather more experience with this inverter and provide updates.

Update: After adding a second battery in parallel and equalizing them, I was able to run the pump for at least 48 hours without the voltage dipping below 12.1 volts. I am confident that I could have easily gotten another 24 hours of runtime, as the inverter only alarms at 10.8 volts. To avoid further stressing the battery bank, I concluded the test after 48 hours. I am extremely pleased with this inverter as it has performed better than expected. It provides great peace of mind knowing that my sump pump will continue to run even during extended power outages.

I purchased this pump inverter on a Wednesday, knowing that rain was coming and my house has a high water table. As luck would have it, we lost power for ten hours the following Friday. The timing couldn't have been better! This inverter, along with a battery from a local store, worked flawlessly and kept my basement dry throughout the power outage.

The only thing I would change about this inverter is the length of the battery cables that come with it. They are too short, as you can see in the picture I provided. It makes it difficult to attach the lid on my battery case. I would recommend that the manufacturer include longer cables, preferably around 3 feet, especially since the directions recommend mounting the inverter 3 feet off the ground.

I purchased battery backups for my sump pumps in August of 2006 after experiencing a power outage and basement flooding during a nor'easter. Since then, I have had no major issues with the batteries. I do have to periodically check the water level and add distilled water, but apart from that, they have been reliable.

The true test for these batteries came during Superstorm Sandy this year when we were without power for four days. The sump pump that runs less frequently remained at 100% when the power was restored. However, the other pump, which had a leak in the outflow, ran more frequently and depleted to 25% after 2 1/2 days. I recharged it from my car for an hour, and it reached 75% before the power came back on a day and a half later.

Considering the average lifespan of these batteries is advertised as 5 to 7 years, and mine are already 6 years old, I am aware that I am on borrowed time. To prepare for any potential failure, I am ordering a backup battery. This spare battery will also be beneficial if I need to recharge while there is a high load on the pumps. It's all about having redundancy.

One aspect that I appreciate about these batteries is that they are shipped dry. I have been informed that lead-acid batteries start aging as soon as they are manufactured, and many may sit on shelves for extended periods before being sold. Although buying acid locally adds a bit of hassle and danger, I believe it is worth it to ensure that I get the full lifespan out of the battery.

Normally, I don't bother writing reviews, but I felt compelled to share my positive experience with these batteries. It seems like they have received some negative feedback, but I believe that is due to the few individuals who received faulty units being more vocal than the satisfied majority. As a satisfied customer, I wanted to provide my perspective and counterbalance the negative reviews.

Update: One of my original batteries recently failed. I suspect my neglect contributed to its demise. I had connected the new battery I purchased last year in parallel with one of the old ones and didn't pay much attention to it. When the low electrolyte alarm went off last week, I discovered that all six cells were low on water. I only had enough distilled water to refill three cells, but I left the battery connected for two days until I could get more water. During recharging, the battery became very hot, and within an hour, the "battery problem" light turned on. This indicates that the battery is likely damaged. It's possible that trying to recharge it with three empty cells and three full cells caused some harm, but it may have already been dead. However, I checked the installation date, and it appears that I installed it in May 2006, meaning I got 7 1/2 years of use from a battery with an advertised average lifespan of 5-7 years. The other battery, installed on the same day, is still functioning well. Overall, I cannot complain about the performance of these batteries.

I recently purchased this sump pump unit based on a recommendation from my plumber, who also installed it for me. I must say, I am extremely pleased with its performance so far. There was one instance where the warning light came on, but a simple reset resolved the issue. It turned out that the light had been triggered during a power outage, which was quite helpful in alerting me to the situation.

I had the opportunity to contact the company with a question, and I was pleasantly surprised by the level of assistance I received. The technician connected me with the management team, who patiently and thoroughly explained their response to my query. This kind of customer support truly impressed me.

In terms of functionality, this sump pump has been a lifesaver for my basement. I have a garage that occasionally experiences flooding during heavy rains due to its lower elevation compared to the street level. This used to happen about 1 or 2 times a year, lasting for less than half an hour. I needed a pump that would automatically activate when water was present, provide a battery backup, and notify me of its activation. This unit fulfills all these requirements flawlessly, and it has been working without any issues for almost 2 years now.

In addition to its impressive performance, the installation process was relatively easy, and the provided instructions were clear and helpful. Although it took a few hours to install, the overall solution was worth the effort.

Lastly, I must mention that we have been using this particular sump pump unit for an astounding 15 years, and it has never failed to deliver exceptional performance. However, I would recommend professional installation for those who are not familiar with the process.

I recently purchased the Pump Sentry and I have to say, I am extremely satisfied with its performance. Initially, I was skeptical about relying on a backup system for my sump pump, but after experiencing a power outage during heavy rain, I knew I needed a reliable solution.

The installation process was quick and easy, taking me only about 20 minutes to set up the unit and connect it to my existing sump pump system. I was impressed with the simplicity of the design and how seamlessly it integrated with my setup.

When the power outage occurred, I was worried about potential water damage in my basement. However, upon returning home the next day, I was relieved to find that the Pump Sentry had worked exactly as it was designed to. The basement was completely dry, and the unit had even recharged the batteries to full capacity.

One thing I appreciate about the Pump Sentry is its ability to provide battery backup without the need for a new sump pump with built-in batteries. This was a cost-effective solution for me, as I didn't have to invest in a whole new system. Additionally, the unit functioned flawlessly during a recent hurricane, keeping my basement dry and giving me peace of mind.

The only downside I encountered was that the Pump Sentry did not come with wingnuts to securely attach it to the battery. However, I was able to easily purchase these separately at a local store for a reasonable price.