The Watchdog Sump Pump BWD review reveals this battery backup sump pump is built to handle your water pumping needs in a big way.
The basement watchdog BWD is a backup sump pump which can operate on electrical power or battery power. This extends the life of the battery. It acts as a dual sump pump type providing double protection from both electrical failure and main pump mechanical failure.
In addition to protection, it provides remote system status notification with the addition of a Wi-Fi Module. So it provides protection and notification for peace of mind during heavy rainstorms.
The Basement Watchdog Big Dog Battery Backup Sump Pump uses a dual float switch to activate the sump pump into operation. Like any other float, when the water rises and the float reaches a certain height the reed switch is closed, the electrical current flows to the pump and it begins pumping. As the water recedes below the float, the switch opens, the electrical circuit is open and the pump stops.
The two best things about the switch is 1) It is dual so if one float switch fails the other one will begin operation 2) The float switch is independent of the pump. It is attached to the discharge pipe so requires no extra pit space and the height at which it is placed in adjustable.
Though the height at which the float can be attached to the discharge pipe is adjustable, the bottom float should be attached above the height at which the primary pump goes off and below the height of the drain tile inlet tube into the pit.
The pumping capacity of this pump is 2,200 gallons per hour at a lift height of 10 feet. It pumps 3,500 GPH at a 0 foot lift. Do remember that check valves, 45 and 90 degree angles of the PVC discharge piping do cause resistance and the stated number of gallons may be less.
This pump is energy efficient.
The Big Dog BWD can run on AC (Alternating Current) or DC (Direct Current).
The pump runs on electrical power (AC) when such power is available using 10 to 12 amps. This saves the battery power for usage during power outage.
When electrical power is not available it runs on battery power (DC). A fully charged battery will provide enough power to run the Big Dog continuously for approximately 7 1/2 hours depending upon the battery type and AMP hours.
Two batteries can be hooked up in parallel with parallel jumper cables which doubles the length of continuous run time to 15 hours.
The battery charger is 20 amps; therefore the battery is recharged quicker. It takes approximately 6 to 8 hours to recharge the Group 30 fully depleted battery. The battery charger is only in use when the battery is in operation. This prevents additional drain on the battery.
The battery requires maintenance. The battery is sold dry. This means that acid must be added in order to activate it. See more details on maintaining the battery on the following web page. Watchdog battery maintenance. A Maintenance free battery can also be used which requires no maintenance though it does not last as long.
The battery will last from 5 to 7 years.
Thermo override protection is present and the pump can operate in a liquid temperature range of 40 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
The pump housing is thermoplastic and the impeller is made from reinforced thermoplastic.
The Watchdog Big Dog sucks up the water from the bottom of the pump. A protective plastic strainer fits on the bottom of the pump to protect the impeller from clogging.
A check valve is not included; however it is recommended that oen be used for each pump installed. They prevent the backflow of water when the pump stops running. A check valve adds life to a pump motor.
Controller and monitoring features are very extensive. They provide knowledge of what is happening with the pump.
The alarm will sound when the battery has a low charge, needs to be charged or replaced, when the battery cables need cleaning (By the way you can use baking soda and water instead of buying battery terminal cleaner.), when the water level is low around the cells. (Only distilled water should be used to fill the fluid levels.), when the pump has been activated for any reason at all.
The alarm cannot be silenced when the red light for the battery or fuse appears. The problem must be fixed first. The alarm can be silenced if the issue is water, the pump or the power. In this circumstance, the reset button can be pushed.
The system also comes equipped with lights. The battery red light means the battery terminals may need cleaning, the battery power is low and may need recharging or replacement or the battery cables are loose and need tightening. The red light for water indicates distilled water needs to be added. The red light for the fuse means the 20 amp auto fuse needs to be replaced. The red light for the pump indicates the pump was activated. The red light for power means the circuit breaker may have tripped or the charger needs replacement. The green light for charger indicates the charger is operating. The green light for operating system means it is operating properly.
Monitoring of system failure. The controller monitors the soundness of the system. An alarm will sound if the battery is low, if it needs to be recharged or replaced, the battery cable is loose and needs tightening, the battery terminals need to be cleaned, if the fluid level is low in the battery (distilled water need to be added), the primary pump failed and the backup pump was activated, the electrical power was interrupted (check the circuit breaker and system connections), or the power plug is unplugged from the wall. The alarm can be silenced when the backup pump is running due to power outage.
The price is very competitive. The Big Dog has so many excellent features. It pumps 2200 GPH at 10 Ft, uses thermoplastic pump housing, offers a 2 year Warranty, includes a vertical Dual Float Switch, accommodates a Battery Group 30 for 7.5 hours Continuous Runtime, possesses 20 amp Battery Charger, is designed with a Bottom Suction, and runs on either AC or DC power.
The Pros
The Cons
Conclusion
The Basement Watchdog BWD, known as the Big Dog, is a good battery backup sump pump. The pros far outweigh the cons. The BWD promises reliability with its dual float switch, strong battery charger, weekly pump testing, great performance at 2,200 GPH at a ten foot vertical height, and easy to read pump and battery status messages. There are only three battery backup sump pump brands that are made in the USA: Zoeller, Liberty Pumps and Star Water Systems. Though each Watchdog pump is not tested, the two year warranty will cover those pumps that have initial problems. If it does not fail in the first year, it will run for many years to come.
1) Select the installation type. If there is limited room in the pit, installing the battery backup pump above the primary sump pump is the best option.
2) Obtain the following additional items for the installation: 1) A battery (either a maintenance free AGM or a Wet battery will work) 2) 1-1/2 inch schedule 40 PVC pipe and fittings depending on the installation type chosen (wye connector, 45 degree elbow) 3) a check valve 4)PVC cement and primer depending upon valve type and installation type.
3) Note: The following is included with the purchase of the Watchdog BWD: 1) The pump 2) The control head 3) Battery box 4) Float switch 5) Pump 1-1.2 inch port adapter 6) Plastic wire tie to mount the float switch 7) Battery charger.
4) Unplug the primary pump if the battery backup pump will use the same discharge pipe for water removal.
Viewing the installation process can also be very helpful. Here is a video to see how a Basement Watchdog support personnel installs it.
Model 30HDC1408, Wet Cell Watchdog Standby Battery
The Watchdog Battery Model 30HDC1408 si recommended by Glentronics, the Basement Watchdog owner, because it is different from a car battery. It is a Deep Cycle Marine Battery. It is a standby battery that is meant to keep its charge and be used during emergency situations when the electricity fails.
Runtime is measured at 7.5 continuously hours or 50 hours intermittently (10% run cycle which means it would runs 6 times each hour or 2+ days). It has a very high reserve capacity. It's the heavy duty plates that store more energy and provide longer run times.
Maintenance Requirement: This battery does require adding acid and giving it an initial charge because it is dry when purchased. After that it requires adding distilled water every month or so. An alarm sounds when the battery needs distilled water added to the cells. The battery is given a life span of 5 - 7 years before needing replacement. Keeping the water level maintained consistently makes a difference.
Model BW-27AGM, Maintenance Free Watchdog Battery
The Watchdog Battery Model BW-27AGM is designed for those who wish to avoid adding battery fluid or distilled water during the life of the battery. This battery provides 75 AMP hours. Its battery group size is 27.
Runtime is measured at 5 - 6 continuously hours or 40 hours intermittently (10% run cycle which means it would run 6 times each hour or slightly less than 2 days). It has a very high reserve capacity. It's the heavy duty plates that store more energy and provide longer run times.
Maintenance Requirement: This battery does not require maintenance. There is no need to add distilled water. It is a lead-acid sealed battery. The battery is given a life span of over 3 years and many times closer to 5 years.
Other Brands
The BW-WiFi module makes it possible and easy to monitor the status of the Big Dog.
I hope the electricity does not go out, but if it does I now have protection. Now I can relax knowing I have something in place just in case.
I had a plumber put it in. I wasn't sure how to run a separate pipe out of the house into the yard. But I watched him so I know how to do it now.
The Big Dog is a very powerful system. It pumps a lot of water. I was very surprised because my other brand did not pump as much. This system operates well and is more than what I was expecting. I've had it for 6 years and it still operates flawlessly and I am still on the original battery. This is the best system for me since I value the contents of my basement.
My plumber recommended the Big Dog to me. He told me I could probably install it myself, but if I had a problem I could contact him. Believe it or not, I was able to follow the instructions and did it myself. I am very pleased with it so far. I quickly learned that when a warning light is on I need to read on the control unit why and they I can reset it with the yellow button. I called the company to learn that and I was connected to tech support who were so helpful & explained in detail their answer to my query. 6 mos. of usage & it has saved me several times from a flooded basement. Buying the Watchdog Big Dog was a good thing for me.
It saved our finished basement from flooding.
My neighbor recommended the Watchdog BWD for me so I could have Wi-Fi connectivity with the BW-WIFI connect module. I see the system tests itself once a week so that is good to know. I am using the maintenance free battery with this one.
I bought this pump for the basement of my addition after having great success with the Basement Watchdog Special Backup in the sump pit in the original basement. That pump has been in place for about 5 years now - with only occasionally needing to add distilled water. The unit beeps when I need to add water; however someone told me if I added water before it beeped the battery would last longer. Once the primary pump was inadvertently unplugged and the Basement Watchdog handled the next rain just fine (and beeped to warn me that it had come on).
I installed the Basement Watchdog Big Dog Backup Pump 8 weeks ago. It was relatively easy to do though this was my first time so it took several hours. The instruction manual was good and it had diagrams which helped a lot.
I tested the pump after installing the pump and battery. Everything worked fine. I check on it every once in a while and everything seems to be fine but after reading the manual I see that it is self-tested weekly.
The light on the control box is helpful since it tells me if the backup pump ran. I learned that I can push the yellow button on the control box to silence the alarm. Having the backup pump on my system gives me a lot more peace of mind now.
30HDC140S
24EP6
Z-Pack
BW-WiFi
1015001
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