Battery backup sump pump

You can get a water powered backup. I hear some houses in the GTA get unlimited free water because they don't have meters.

https://plumbingonline.ca/products/liberty-pumps-sj10

$700 twice? Man you are halfway to a 10kw generator.

You might consider the Liberty SJ10 Sumpjet (this runs off of your municipal water supply). T

If you’re looking for a reliable battery back up sump pump, try the 1/2 hp Liberty 441 battery back up system. We installed this unit in our basement last year (no issues thus far). The only thing you need to do is to test the unit every 2-3 months and to replace the marine deep cycle battery every 2-3 years.

gta1216 wrote: ↑ We've installed a Basement Watchdog Special+ battery sump pump when our basement got flooded many years ago. Over the years, the unit and/or battery failed, and replaced it with another unit. Now this unit failed also.

What problems have you been having with it? You should expect to replace the battery every three years or four years so, just like you do with a car battery, so that's completely normal and you don't need a whole new system for that. If you had a problem with the charger, that's quite unusual. A backup pump should also be pretty robust, unless it's used frequently, which means you should deal with that issue (it should only run during a long power outage during a bad rainstorm, so maybe once every couple of years). Just want to make sure you're not replacing it unnecessarily (and thus have the same problem down the road with another one).

As others have said, you basically have 3 options:

1) Go with a pump that runs off water pressure.
2) Replace the battery every on regular intervals.
3) Switch to whole house backup power - Generator or Powerwall, hint, the generator is way cheaper and lots more power.

In my old house, I created my own battery backup for the 1/6 hp sump. 12v batteries connected to a intelligent charger with an inverter. Bought a 2 pole relay and wired it to be the power out relay so if city power went out, the relay would switch power for the sump to the inverter. Automatically switches back when city power comes back.
Key point to remember is the common contacts connect to the sump. Coil and normally open contacts connect to the city power. I believe I was using nautilus charger,inverter, and batteries. Maintenance free!!!

I don't remember what exactly happened nor when. I know the battery failed after a few years, so it was replaced. Then the charger malfunctioned, so we swap the battery over to a new system. Now, the "water" and "battery" light is lit. We topped off the battery with distilled water but the "water" light stays on. The "battery" light means possible defective or corroded. We checked and there is no corrosion on the terminal. Normally we can press the button to silence the alarm, but when we press it, it just keep clicking and doesn't do anything.

Someone suggested something like this, which I was told doesn't require any maintenance and is more reliable. https://www.amazon.com/Sentry-Emergency ... B079T63BDH

SubjectivelyObjective wrote: ↑ As others have said, you basically have 3 options:

1) Go with a pump that runs off water pressure.
2) Replace the battery every on regular intervals.
3) Switch to whole house backup power - Generator or Powerwall, hint, the generator is way cheaper and lots more power.

Option 3 provides redundancy for the power source but not the pump. You will still get caught out if the pump fails.

I installed a Liberty SJ10 Sumpjet as my backup this winter. That was recommended to me on this forum. It works well and gives peace of mind.

If you go this route, you will need a back-flow protection valve. FYI: this cost as much as the pump itself. Will require some plumbing changes as well, so factor that in (either into your budget or your DIY time).

I was just looking to figure out how to get one of these installed. My insurance company is telling me we need a battery powered sump pump in addition to the one I have now that is running off power (or can I replace the one I have?). Not sure.

How much would I expect to pay for this?

I got a couple of quotes and they are saying 1500-2000 installed which includes sump pump, marine battery and a high water alarm....is that reasonable? Anyone know a good plumber in the GTA that does these types of installations?

PeeBee wrote: ↑ I was just looking to figure out how to get one of these installed. My insurance company is telling me we need a battery powered sump pump in addition to the one I have now that is running off power (or can I replace the one I have?). Not sure.

How much would I expect to pay for this?

I got a couple of quotes and they are saying 1500-2000 installed which includes sump pump, marine battery and a high water alarm....is that reasonable? Anyone know a good plumber in the GTA that does these types of installations?

I don’t typically comment about pricing but those quotes are rather high. Likely to take advantage of the fact you might be able to apply for a rebate depending on your municipality.
For example the rebate in Toronto for sump pump, backup, and high water alarm is 80% back to a maximum of $1750

I too am in need of a plumber. I recently moved into a home with a sump pump and the previous owner left a SJ liberty.

I don't think that the current system has a back valve or is it already there and it is a matter of the plumber just attaching the liberty to the current setup?

Please see photos

iceman2015 wrote: ↑ I too am in need of a plumber. I recently moved into a home with a sump pump and the previous owner left a SJ liberty.

I don't think that the current system has a back valve or is it already there and it is a matter of the plumber just attaching the liberty to the current setup?

That's an interesting setup, I'll wait for someone more qualified to comment *cough* Red Army *cough*

Anyways, I just wanted to point out in this thread, that if you are in Toronto, it is against the bylaw for your sump pump to discharge to any sewer. You either need a storm sewer connection exemption or a private water discharge permit depending on the type of property you own. Most homeowners here will require the former. It's a by law, with very little enforcement, but just thought I'd point this out.

I also want to note, that depending on your plumbing configuration, a backflow valve on your main sewer line might not necessarily protect your sump line depending on where it goes and how it connects.

SubjectivelyObjective wrote: ↑ That's an interesting setup, I'll wait for someone more qualified to comment *cough* Red Army *cough*

Anyways, I just wanted to point out in this thread, that if you are in Toronto, it is against the bylaw for your sump pump to discharge to any sewer. You either need a storm sewer connection exemption or a private water discharge permit depending on the type of property you own. Most homeowners here will require the former. It's a by law, with very little enforcement, but just thought I'd point this out.

I also want to note, that depending on your plumbing configuration, a backflow valve on your main sewer line might not necessarily protect your sump line depending on where it goes and how it connects.

The backflow preventer is for the water supply for the Sj10, has nothing to do with drainage

iceman2015 wrote: ↑ I too am in need of a plumber. I recently moved into a home with a sump pump and the previous owner left a SJ liberty.

I don't think that the current system has a back valve or is it already there and it is a matter of the plumber just attaching the liberty to the current setup?

Please see photosIMG_20200522_200816.jpgIMG_20200522_200753.jpg

Everything to do with this picture is completely illegal

PeeBee wrote: ↑ I was just looking to figure out how to get one of these installed. My insurance company is telling me we need a battery powered sump pump in addition to the one I have now that is running off power (or can I replace the one I have?). Not sure.

How much would I expect to pay for this?

I got a couple of quotes and they are saying 1500-2000 installed which includes sump pump, marine battery and a high water alarm....is that reasonable? Anyone know a good plumber in the GTA that does these types of installations?

$1,500 to $2,000 is a bit high for a basic installation.

We bought our Liberty 441 ½ HP with batter backup up at H20 Plumbing Supplies in Etobicoke last fall.

As I recall the system was around $550. The marine battery from Canadian Tire was $200 and installation by a local plumber was $250 (note that no modifications were to the system were needed).

I can tell you first hand that the Liberty 441 combination back up system works amazing. I accidentally left the breaker off powering the primary pump and the battery back up worked for over a day and a half before the alarm went off warning that the battery was low. We had rain the night before and the pump was busy.

I am interested in battery backup sumppump system. I have one extra regular sump pump laying around, just wondering to see if there is way to put battery and inverter for this unit. Please share your thoughts. Thank you

hhuggles wrote: ↑ In my old house, I created my own battery backup for the 1/6 hp sump. 12v batteries connected to a intelligent charger with an inverter. Bought a 2 pole relay and wired it to be the power out relay so if city power went out, the relay would switch power for the sump to the inverter. Automatically switches back when city power comes back.
Key point to remember is the common contacts connect to the sump. Coil and normally open contacts connect to the city power. I believe I was using nautilus charger,inverter, and batteries. Maintenance free!!!

I love the way you described, May I ask what wattage of the inverter you used and what battery? Thank you for your help