Best Pump Selection For Water Pumping Needs

At last smart technology is being applied to the battery backup system. Gone are the days when you must be home to hear the alarm indicating your backup system is operating or the battery charge is low. Today you have at least five remote sump pump battery backup monitoring options. The best option for your backup system depends upon what kind of internet connectivity you currently have or would like to have in the very near future.

• Rely on Phone Service Dial Tone

Option one utilizes an older technology. The Wayne Pumps Sump Minder relies on a DSL, cable or digital phone service to automatically call three pre-selected phone numbers with a land line or mobile phone since a dial tone is required for the controller to place a call.

The call is made when a high water situation occurs.

• Rely On Pump Built-In Internet Computer Monitored Service

Option two requires no phone or Wi-Fi (wireless) hookup. The sump pump system, PumpSpy, has a built-in internet connection to a 24/7 monitoring computer at PumpSpy. The pump alarm system sends failure notifications of both the primary and battery backup system by text and/or email.

The 24/7 computer monitoring is free; however based on videos prepared by PumpSpy there may be a $5 monthly fee assessed sometime in the future. Other manufacturers relying on Apple and Android operating-systems are not charging so they may not either.

• Rely On A Plug And Play Wireless Gateway Plugged Into A Home Router Modem

Option three requires Pentair Virtual Water Assistant to be plugged into a home router modem. The VWA constantly monitors the backup system conditions and sends text and email alerts when backup related problems exist.

Messages and mobile phone messages can be sent to three devices simultaneously.

Usage of the Plug And Play Wireless Gateway cost $20 per year and can be cancelled at any time.

• Rely On Existing Home Internet Service

Option four requires home internet service with router either using an Ethernet connection or Wi-Fi.

The Zoeller Z-Control and the Liberty NightEye Applications are cloud based using the Apple and Android operating-system. Real time monitoring of the backup pump, battery and charger provides notifications via text, email or push notification.

The link to the smart phone by Zoller and Liberty controllers allows the homeowner to send messages to the controller requesting a system test. Until this latest technology, only high water alerts could be received by phone.

• Rely On Smart Outlet Enabled By Home Wi-Fi Connectivity To Computerized Monitoring Service

Option five requires the primary and battery backup sump pump to be plugged into a Smart Outlet supported by home internet Wi-Fi which sends data to a computerized monitoring service for 24/7 monitoring. This computer system sends failure notifications of both the primary and battery backup system by text and or email.

The 24/7 computer monitoring is free; however based on videos issued by PumpSpy there may be a $5 monthly fee assessed sometime in the future. Other manufacturers relying on Apple and Android operating-systems are not charging so they may not either.

For home owners with an existing Wi-Fi System, either the Zoeller Z-Control or Liberty NightEye is recommended. Neither system requires an extra fee for system monitoring service. Why not utilize what you are already paying for? Both the Z-Control and NightEye rely on application software that runs on both the Apple and Android operating system. Both applications collect data regarding backup pump operation, low battery charge and charger activation and send the data via text and or phone.

For homeowners without an internet router modem, the Wayne Sump Minder provides a good solution. No additional fees are required and three phones can receive prerecorded messages regarding problems.

Remote monitoring provides many other helpful notification options

Though notifications exist to indicate known failures, testing the backup system at least every two weeks identifies lurking problems that will appear only when all components of the system are operating. The ease and frequency at which the test can be performed varies by monitoring type.

The PumpSpy system is self-tested three times a week by a computer monitoring service. The testing time is not controlled by the home owner.

Zoeller 508-0008 and Liberty 442 battery backup systems allow the home owner or individuals who are given access rights to schedule self-tests. This means time of day and frequency is controlled by the home owner.

The Wayne WSM3300 is self-tested every fourteen days. The starting date and time is set by the homeowner.

The Zoeller Aquanot 508-0008 sends remote notification for the following: Backup Pump Activation ; Backup Pump, Switch, Battery, Charger Failures ; Continuous Run ; High Water Level Warning ; Battery Life – % Remaining, Critically Low Warning ; Blocked or Frozen Pipe ; Air Locked Pump ; Power Outage Occurred Or Exists ; Basement Temperature Level Warning ; Wi-Fi Connection Lost. Though the model Aquanot 508-0005 can send notification through the Z-control Cloud, this is the only alarm that can be sent and a high water detection device must be installed and plugged into the controller. The model 508-0008 alerts a smart phone automatically with many more alerts, not just high water, and allows the homeowner to test and reset the backup system. The 508-0008 provides accomodation for two batterires.

The Liberty StormCell 442-10A and 442-25A send remote alerts for the following: Backup Pump Activation ; High Water Level Alarm ; AC Power Lost ; Wi-Fi Connection ; Blown Controller Fuse ; DC Pump Failure ; 12-Volt Battery Charge Levels ; Critically Low Battery Warning ; Basement Temperature Level Warning (User Sets Temperature Warning Level). The difference between StormCell models 442-10A and 442-25A is the pumping capabililty. The 442-25A provides accomodation for two batteries.

The Simer A5350 sends remote alerts for the following: AC Power Outage Interruption ; Wi-Fi Connection Lost ; Backup Pump Activation ; High Water Level Alarm ; Critically Low Battery Warning ; Battery Backup Pump Running ; Debris In Impeller ; Blocked Discharge Pipe.

The Wayne WSM3300 sends remote alerts for the following: AC Power Outage Interruption ; Primary Pump Problem Suspected ; DC Pump Not Operable (Failed Test) ; Capacity Overflow Possible ; DC Impeller Locked ; Battery Charger Transformer Bad ; Blown Controller Fuse ; Battery 20% Charged ; Battery Dead ; Battery Condition Questionable.

The best battery backup systems with remote monitoring are the Zoeller Aquanot 508-0008 with the Z-control and the Liberty 442-10A and 442-25A with the Night Eye. Both of these systems offer advanced system monitoring, allow custom set up self-testing schedules, and comprehensive monitoring at no added fee to the home internet access package.

Both of these backup systems also offer a five other unique features.