12V Backup Sump Pumps

Adding a 12v sump pump to a basement will give a homeowner piece of mind. Basement floods are costly in both repairs and damage to personal belongings. 12v sump pumps make a great addition to the primary sump pump for the following reasons.

• Ease of installation
• Level of Automatic Protection
• Ease of Maintenance
• Cost

Installing a 12v sump pump can be daunting task for an inexperienced homeowner, but have no fear, they are straight forward to install. Make sure all the required tools are available before the work starts. Have everything laid out and ready. A typical install should take around 30 minutes or so. I once got a quote from a plumber for 300 dollars to install a sump pump, which I thought was outrageous! Most systems will come with detailed instructions and phone support if help is needed.

The best feature of the 12v sump pump is that it is automatically protecting your basement. The homeowner does not have to be home to turn anything on or start a generator. It kicks on automatically if the power fails or even if the sump basin gets overwhelmed with water due to extreme rain. The battery will give hours of protection. If more time is needed, a second battery can be installed in parallel to the first to add more run time. A good system will have a second redundant float switch that operates the 12v pump.

There are a few things the homeowner needs to check on periodically to ensure the system will work properly. The first one being the battery. Some batteries need to have distilled water added every few months or so. If the water gets too low, the battery will get very weak. A properly maintained battery should last 6-7 years. Another thing to check for is the weep hole on the backup pump. Some pumps require a weep hole which is drilled into the pipe before the check valve. If the hole ever gets clogged, the pump will not pump any water because it is air locked. It is a good idea to unplug the primary pump every once in awhile and let the basin fill with water, or add water if it will not fill on its own. Let the 12v sump pump kick on and observe for proper operation. Do this for a few cycles to make sure everything is functioning properly.

The cost of a 12v sump pump is minimal compared to a automatic backup generator. Kits come with either a stand alone 12v sump pump or come as a combination sump pump. It is a small price to pay for the high level of protection a back up sump pump will offer.

Basement Watchdog BSWP Video Review

Here is the review for the Basement Watchdog BWSP. This is a 12v sump pump that runs off a 12v battery.

Choosing a sump pump system

Choosing a backup sump pump is an important task. We trust our basements to these pumps and we expect a lot out of them. Take the time to choose the right pump for the job. If you do not have a backup sump pump, now is the time to get one. There are a lot of choices out there.


Gaining the advantage of a truly redundant system is the only way to go. That is, the system obviously has a separate pump but it also has a separate float switch. The secondary pump uses a 12V battery as a power source. The battery should last 4-5 years if properly maintained.


Pumps are rated in horse power and will typically be in the size of 1/4 hp, 1/3 hp or 1/2 hp. More importantly is how much water does the sump move in a given amount of time. This rating is Gallons Per Hour or GPH.


Some 12v sump pump setups have a small weep in the pipes after the pump and before the check valve. The secondary pump will also have a weep hole. It's important to remember that if this hole ever becomes clogged, it's possible that the backup will not work. Debris in the water can clog this hole, so cleaning it out with a nail is a good idea once in awhile. That is why it is important to do a functional check of the system quarterly to ensure proper operation.


It is advisable to discharge the water away from your house foundation. Proper drainage away from the house is important for a dry basement. Make sure all of the houses' downspouts are installed and follow a path of drainage away from the house. Window wells are another area of concern since water can collect in the wells and eventually cause water to enter the basement though the window.

Read more at 12v sump pump .net

Three Choices for Backup Sump Pumps

Many homeowners find themselves in a situation where they need a backup sump pump system. If one lives in an area of the country that has a lot of rain or high water tables, basements are at risk for flooding. A flooded basement can cause thousands of dollars worth of damage. Investing a backup sump pump system is a wise investment. I will be discussing 3 options for a backup system.


A water powered backup sump pump has a lot of benefits. This type does not require a separate 12v battery or power source. The pump is generally installed near the ceiling of the basement near the floor joists. A separate float in the sump triggers the pump which is powered by the city water supply. This means that it requires city water. A well water source needs electricity to power the pump and therefore if a power outage occurs, the basement is left unprotected. That is why they are basically restricted to more urban areas or anywhere there is city water. These systems are very reliable, there are few moving parts. The pump uses venturi low pressure to draw water out of the sump and discharge it outside.


A better option for the more rural population is a 12v sump pump . This type is usually either part of a combination system which utilizes two pumps. One is 120v which is the primary pump. The secondary pump is normally smaller and runs off 12v deep cycle battery. A well designed 12v sump pump will have separate float switches for redundancy. Depending on the battery installed, a backup pump can run intermittently for 2-4 hours. It is also possible to install multiple batteries in parallel to increase the run time. This system is also automatic which requires no special action from the home owner. During heavy rainfall, the backup will also kick on automatically to empty the sump If the pump starts to overflow for any reason, the backup will kick on. There are also systems which can be installed along side a pre-existing sump pump instead of purchasing a combination unit.


A third option for backup sump pump is a standby generator. Having a generator provide power during outages are very handy however most need a homeowner to be home to turn the generator on. Benefits of this system are that a generator can run for very long periods of time. There are automatic house generators which power a portion of the house if power is lost. These types can run off a number of fuels including propane, natrual gas, gasoline and diesel. This option is by far the most expensive however having electrical power means other devices can be operated as well, like the refrigerator.


Finding a backup sump pump is important in avoiding costly damages associated with a flooded basements. Having a system in place also require maintenance and upkeep to ensure the system will work when a power failure occurs.

Sump pump switch types

The float switch is triggers the sump pump to activate when the water reaches a certain level. Float switches are usually the part that fails first in a sump pump system. There are 4 types of float switches typically used in 12v backup sump pump systems


* The Tethered float is the most common in sump pump systems today because they are the cheapest. They are also more likely to fail. In this type, the float actually floats with the water and when the water reaches a certain point, the switch is triggered. Inside the switch is mercury which activates the switch at a predetermined angle. This switch is best in a large sump crock since the switch requires more space. Narrow crocks could cause the float to get stuck on the wall.






* The vertical action switch uses a float, rod and switch. The float pushes up on the road triggering the switch.They are also easily adjustable for most installations. The only downside for the vertical switch is that it not well suited for deep sump crocks since the range of adjustment is somewhat limited.



* Electronic switches are somewhat new in the sump pump market There are a few different types. One type uses a probe that goes into the crock pit. Once the water reaches the probe, the switch is triggered. Another type uses a caged float setup. The float rises in the cage with the water triggering the switch. The actual control for these types is outside the sump crock. The advantage to these types are less moving parts.



* Diaphragm type switches work well in most situations however they are somewhat more costly. The switch consists of a diaphragm that allows water to press against it. When there is enough pressure from the rising water, the switch is activated. These types work well in small sump crocks. It is important to remember however, that this type is not adjustable.



Read more at http://www.12vsumppump.net/

new content! Avoid wet basements with a 12v sump pump, check it out at http://12vsumppump.net

Batteries need love too

Dont forget to check on your backup battery at least twice a year. Especially if its an older battery. Let the backup system run and check everything out . Bad batteries only offer a false sense of hope :(

decision made

I decided to get a 12v backup sump pump. It was the most cost effective way to solve my problem. I know a backup generator would be sweet but the costs are too high for me right now and im worried about the next storm coming. The installation was a breeze thanks to the help of the 12v sump pump guys. I would advise to read the reviews before you purchase. Im ready for the next storm!

flooded out.

So, my basement flooded because I lost power during a storm. I woke up the next morning to a flooded basement. Its a nightmare, Everything the water came into contact with was ruined. So now after everything is cleaned up, I need to decide to get a backup sump pump system or not. Ive also started looking into backup generators but they are quite expensive.