Pumps Selection Battery Backup Sump Pump Review by Compare

Solids Handling

If you are concerned about small pebbles and debris getting caught in the pump, the Zoeller 507 and 508 Aquanot are the best. Zoeller uses a vortex impeller which can handle solids up to one-half inch. Superior 92910 handles 1/8 inch solids. Basemenst Watchdog BWE and BWSP, Liberty 441, Little Giant SPBS-10HF, Wayne WSM3300 , ESP25 and ESP15 have a bottom screen which prevents small pebbles from entering the pump; however the screen should be periodically cleaned.

Float Switch

If you are concerned about the float switch, an external switch is used by all which means the switch is not attached to the pump. Instead it is attached to the discharge pipe. Four models have a dual float switch - The Basement Watchdog Special BWSP, The Basement Watchdog Big Dog BW12, The Wayne ESP25 and the Wayne WSM3300. Basement Watchdog and Wayne use a reed vertical float switch. Zoeller 507 and Zoeller 508, Liberty 441, Superior 92910 and Hydropump RH1400 use a mechanical vertical float switch. Little Giant SPBS-10HF uses a diaphragm switch. Each float switch type has pros and cons. Check out more detail on how each type of pump float switch works.

Battery Recharging

The strength of battery chargers varies by brand and model. The Basement Watchdog Big Dog BW12 has the most powerful charger with twenty amps. Zoeller 507, Zoeller 508, Watchdog Special BWSP, Little Giant SPBS-10-HF have a ten amp charger. The SPBS-12-HF has a 12 amp charger. The Liberty 441 has a seven amp battery charger. The Wayne ESP25, the Wayne WSM3300, and the Superior 92910 have a two amp charger. The Hydropump RH1400 has a one amp charger.

Pumping Capability

Knowing the pumping capacity required is extremely important in selecting the best sump pump for your water pumping needs. If you do not know how much water comes into your pit within a minute, put a yardstick in the pit and see how many inches the water rises in one minute. Each inch represents one gallon for an eighteen inch diameter pit. Wayne ESP15 pumps 720 gph at 10-feet. The Zoeller 507-0005, the Little Giant SPBS-12 and Superior 92910 have the lowest pumping capability - 16.5 - 18 gallons per minute or 990 - 1080 gph at a ten foot lift height. Little Giant SPBS-10-HF pumps 1200 gph and the SPBS-12-HF pumps 1440 gph at 10 vertical height. Hydropump RH1400 pumps 1400 gph at 10-feet. The Watchdog Special (BWSP) pumps 1730 gph at 10-feet. The Zoeller 508-0005 pumps 1800 gph at a 10 foot lift. Watchdog Big Dog (BW12) has a pumping capability of 2,200 gph (gallons per hour) at a ten foot lift. Wayne WSM3300 battery backup and ESP25 battery backup pump 2300 gph at 10 foot height.

Size Of Battery Case

The size of the battery case generally determines how large of a battery can be used; that is how many amp hours the pump can run before being depleted of a charge. The Zoeller 507-0005 and Zoeller 508-0005 battery cases are largest and allow for a Group 27, 29 or 31 battery size.  Mu.tiple batteries can be used with the Zoeller 508-0005. To use multiple batteries, extra battery cases can be order hookup with wire (P/N 007861). The Little Giant SPBS-10-HF, Superior 82810, Hyropump RH01400 and Wayne ESP15 allows for a Group 24 battery size. The Wayne ESP25 can use Group 24 or Group 27. Wayne recommends Group size 27 for WSM3300. Superior only specifies a 12 Volt Deep Cycle Marine Battery. The Hydropump RH-1400 has a battery case size of 17 in. length, 9 1/2 in. width, 11 in. high.

Shut Off Height

Little Giant SPBS-10-HF has a shut-off height of 20 feet and the SPBS-12-HF shuts off at 23 feet. Zoeller 507-0005 shut-off height is 17.5 feet. Wayne WSM3300 will shut of at 18 feet. The Hydropump RH-1400 shuts-off at 19 feet. The Zoeller 508-0005 shuts off at 22 feet head. The Superior 92910 backup has a shut off height of 20 feet.

Battery Type

Each manufacturer recommends the battery type to use. Little Giant recommends a 12 VDC deep cycle battery rated 85-140Ah, lead-acid or AGM. Wayne recommends a wet cell (SLA) or maintenance free battery for the WSM3300. Zoeller recommends the wet-cell and AGM batteries. Basement Watchdog BWSP and BWD Big Dog use the wet-cell standby;

Dialer Notification

Wayne WSM3300 can notify up to 3 phones (cell phone, office, friend for example). The Zoeller 508-0005 has a  set of dry contacts which allow the  system to connect to home security alarm, auto dialers, or such devices for notificaion. The new Liberty 442 can notify cell phones, laptops and security systems.

RunTime

Length of run time depends upon battery amp hours, how much charge the battery possesses and how frequently the backup pump runs. Liberty 441 will run 4 continuous hours or 30 hours of intermittent hours of operation. Zoeller 508-005 will run 5 1/2 hours continuously. Hydropump RH-1400 will run 6-7.5 continuous hours or 12 hour at 1 minute intervals and 48 hours at 5 minute intervals. Wayne WSM3300 will run 10-12 hours continuous time or 23 hours at 1 minute intervals or 100 hours at 5 minute intervals with a Group 27 75 amp hour battery but only 12 hours at 1 miinute intervals ro 53 hours at 5 minute interval using a Group 27 40 amp hour battery. Watchdog BWE and BWSP will run 6 - 7 1/2 hours continuously. The Zoeller 585-0005 Pedestal backup pump will run 8 - 10 hours continuously.