BRAND:Zoeller NAME:Mighty-Mate M53 Zoeller Submersible Sump Pump DESCRIPTION:The Zoeller M53 Mighty-Mate is known as a best seller and best rated submersible sump pumps among those with the following features: 1/3 HP, Cast Iron Housing, Vertical Float Switch, 2040 GPH and 34 GPM At 10 foot Vertical Height, 3 Year Warranty, with 1 1/2 inch Discharge Port. CATEGORY:"Tools", "Home Improvement", "Sump Pumps" PRODUCT #: B000H5PYR2 REVIEW RATING:4.7 stars, based on 3,010 reviews
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Zoeller Sump Pump M53 Review By Comparison Table of Contents
If you are used to Big Box Store sump pumps, the M53 Mighty Mate, a model of the Professional Series along with M57 and M98, will surprise you. It is heavy and very well built.
Zoeller M53 Features & Specifications Summary
Motor
3/10 HP; Voltage: 115 or 230 V; Phase: 1 Ph; Hertz: 60 Hz; RPM: 1550 RPM; Type: Shaded pole; Insulation: Class B; Amps: 4.8 - 9.7 Amps; Operation: Automatic; Cooling: Oil filled; Motor Protection: Auto reset thermal overload; Max Operating Temperature: 130 °F (54 °C).
Materials Used
Motor Housing: Cast iron; Pump Housing: Cast iron; Corrosion-resistant, powder coated epoxy finish; Cast iron switch case, motor and pump housing; Base: engineered thermoplastic; Upper Bearing: Sleeve bearing; Lower Bearing: Sleeve bearing; Mechanical Seals: Carbon and ceramic; Engineered, glass-filled, plastic impeller with metal insert; No sheet metal parts to rust or corrode; Stainless steel screws, switch arm, guard and handle; Motor Shaft: AISI 1215 cold roll steel; Gasket; Water tight and dust-tight; Permanently oiled bearings
Impeller Type
Impeller Type: Non-clogging vortex; No screens to clog; Solids Handling: 1/2" (12 mm) spherical solids; Discharge Size: 1-1/2" NPT.
Pumping
Float-operated, submersible, 2-pole mechanical switch; Solid, buoyant, polypropylene float; Pump Auto On / Off Points: 7-1/4" / 3" (18.4 cm / 7.6 cm); Max Head: 19.25' (5.9 m); Max Flow Rate At 0 Feet: 43 GPM (163 LPM); Max Flow Rate At 5 Feet (1.5 Meters): 43 GPM (163 LPM); Max Flow Rate At 10 Feet (3.0 Meters): 34 GPM (129 LPM); Max Flow Rate At 15 Feet (4.6 Meters): 19 GPM (72 LPM).
Zoeller M53 Key Features
Zoeller pumps are known for their pumping reliability and quality material. Its consistent use of high quality cast iron for motor housing and pump housing give their pumps additional weight to decrease pump movement during continuous heavy-duty pumping. Likewise their usage of stainless steel for screws and float guard eliminate rusting.
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Zoeller motors are well-built and efficient. Their efficiency is demonstrated by using only 80 percent of the motor's capability so the remaining 20 percent is available for sudden pumping demands.
PUMPING
HP: 1/3 Horse Power
Type: Submersible, Automatic
Model Series: Professional Series
Float: Vertical 2-pole
GPM @ 5 Ft.: 43 GPM (163 LPM)
GPM @ 10 Ft.: 34 GPM (129 LPM)
GPM @ 15 Ft.: 19 GPM (72 LPM)
Voltage: 115 or 230 V
Phase: 1 Ph
Hertz: 60 Hz
RPM: 1550 RPM
Amps: 4.8 - 9.7 Amps
MATERIAL
Pump Housing: Cast iron
Finish: Corrosion-resistant, powder coated epoxy
Motor, Switch Case: Cast Iron
Base: Engineered thermoplastic
Float: Solid, buoyant, polypropylene
Impeller: Engineered, glass-filled, plastic with metal insert
Screws, Switch Arm, Guard and Handle: Stainless steel
Zoeller Sump Pump M53 Consumer Reviews rate this pump, a model of the Professional Seriers along with M57 and M98, well; 4.7 stars out of 5. It is built with cast-iron housing and a vertical float switch. It is built to last; to keep it running for ten plus years, the float-switch will need to be replaced every 5-7 years depending upon how frequently it is used. See what consumers are saying about it.
Heavy Cast-Iron Sump-Pump
Jim Casey, Minnesota
August 21, 2021
I've had my Sump Pump M53 over 12 years. Before I figured out it needed a new switch, I bought another M53. I installed the new M53 and am keeping the old Zoeller with the new switch as a backup. We have a very high water table and the sump-pump runs every 2-3 minutes most of the year. You won't find a much better one out there that can run like this for 12+ years and only need a $20 switch. It is oil-filled for long life. It is quiet and reliable. I'll never run anything other than Zoeller.
Good Sump-Pump
Tom Jones, Iowa
May 23, 2022
I bought a Zoeller M53 23 years ago and it is still running. It only runs when we get heavy rains; however when it rains it is a work horse. It moves the water up an eight foot vertical lift and pushes it another 40 feet out to the street. In the past 23 years we have had some very heavy rains to the extent of area flooding, probably every 5 years. This pump has NEVER failed in ANY way yet. I am very happy with it.
Heavy Sump-Pump Built to Last
George Metcalf, Chicago, Illinois
March 12, 2022
I am very happy with my Sump Pump M53. It is very heavy and built to last. The housing is cast-iron. It was easy to install. I read the manual and found out I am to replace the float-switch every 5-7 years depending upon usage. The float-switch is the weakest part of the pump. So I bought a replacement float-switch so I have it ready in case the switch goes out before I change it.
Installing the Sump Pump M53 is easy, especially if you have done it before; however if this will be your first time, relax. You will not break anything. To alleviate pressure, choose a day when the sun is shining. .
Basically The Steps Are As Follows:
1) Unplug the motor cord.
2) Loosen the bottom end of the check valve so the pump is free to move.
3) Carefully remove the old pump from the basin.
4) Unscrew the discharge pipe from the old pump discharge port and screw it into the new pump port.
5) Replace the old check-valve with a new one.
6) Place the new pump in the basin making sure it is sitting solidly on the basin bottom.
7) Tighten the bottom check-valve end to the discharge pipe attached to the M53.
8) Plug the motor cord into the wall socket.
9) Test the pump and check for discharge or check-valve leaks.
10) No leaks, you are done! Congratulations!
If this is your first time for installing a sump-pump, you may want to read more detail and watch a video. Hopefully these Zoeller Sump Pump installation steps will help you so you can be more self-sufficient.
Watching a Zoeller sump pump install makes it easier. See How A Plumber Installs a Zoeller Sump Pump.
Zoeller Sump Pump M53 Mighty Mate Manual
The M53 Manual provides the following: 1) Pre Installation Check List 2) Do's And Dont's For Installing The Mighty Mate 3) Common Causes for Problems and 4) Recommended Installation Diagrams.
It is very unlikely that your Mighty Mate will fail during the three years. Zoeller Pump Company tests all of their pumps before they are shipped; therefore it should work after installation. In addition it is unlikely that the float switch will fail during the three year time period. If you have any issues feel free to call Zoeller 1-800-928-7867.
Keep your M53 if something fails, many parts are easy to buy online. It is more Eco-friendly and more pocket friendly to replace a broken part than discard a failed pump.
All replacement parts are made by Zoeller; therefore they will fit and work. The following parts are readily available online: gasket, switch, case cover, assembly arm, impeller and float.
The only thing we have replaced on our thirteen year old Zoeller M53 Mighty Mate is a gasket which was very easy to replace.
The Zoeller float switch will fail before the motor or housing; therefore Zoeller makes replacement switches available for the Mighty-Mate M53.
The replacement switch part number #004892 is made by Zoeller; therefore it fits perfectly any of the series 50 and 90s sump pumps. The switch is easy to replace. See the M53 17 Installation Steps with pictures.
The easiest and quickest way to replace the switch is to buy the entire case cap assembly which already has a new switch, gasket and arm encased. The part number is 004702. If the water level is down to the impeller and the four screws holding the pump head turn, it may be possible to loosen the screws and replace the switch cap without removing the pump from the pit.
We have compared prices from various websites and have found Amazon to be very budget friendly; therefore we provide the link for buying the M53 through Amazon.
Amazon is dependable and Prime Membersget very quick delivery.
If your current pump runs a lot during heavy rainstorms and then runs very little during no rain periods, we recommend you purchase the N53 which comes without a float switch. Installing an external separate float switch allows you to customize the ON OFF points for the motor which decreases motor short cycling and extends the life of the motor.
Our favorite external switch is the HC6000 which is electronic, has no moving parts, is not affected by water contaminates or chemicals and has a lifetime warranty. We installed ours in 2011, have done no maintenance to it and it is still working perfectly.
Each time a new pump is installed it is highly recommended the check valve be replaced as well because they do fail, especially the traditional style.
Our favorite is the Quiet Check valve because it is so quiet. The Traditional check valve is also available.
Zoeller manufacturing actively engineers their existing sump pumps to make them better. This is the case with the upgraded M53. M53 upgrades appear in Model M63. The five upgrades include the switch, the switch arm boot, the amount of caste iron, the power cord plug and the warranty,
The Switch
The M63 switch is upgraded to decrease friction impact. Friction is caused when the float ON height is reached and the positive and negative current closes so the switch sends electrical current to run the pump. The switch upgrade increases the switch life to 3 million pumping cycles compared to M53 1 million pumping cycles. That is 3 times more pumping cycles which adds many more years of service.
If your sump pump runs 5 times a minute for 2 hours during a heavy rainstorm and there are 272 days of heavy rain in a year the pump would cycle 6,320 times a year. Plus if the pump runs 5 times a day even when it doesn't rain, that is 465 more pump cycles. In total that would be 6,785 pump cycles a year. Ten years of pumping would be 67,850 pumping cycles. M63 tested to 3 million pump cycles yields a lifetime of pumping cycles.
The float for both the M53 and M63 is puncture proof so it cannot fill with water, sink and fail. In addition this float switch type is not affected by ground water contaminates such as calcium carbonate. To dissipate heat caused by action, the switch case is made of cast iron.
Switch Arm Boot
The point where the switch arm enters the switch case is well sealed from water. Our M53 is 19 years old and the seal is still intact causing no issues. However, the M63 is duly protected with a Viton boot located where the switch arm enters the switch case.
Construction Material
Both M53 and M63 motor housing, pump housing and switch case are made of cast iron. However their difference appears in the pump base and impeller. M63 pump base and impeller are cast iron. M53 pump base and impeller use engineered thermoplastic. A cast iron impeller handles small solids without nicking.
Power Cord Plug
The power cord is 9 feet for both M53 and M63; however the plug on M63 is LED lite when power is present.
Warranty
The M63 offers a 5 year warranty while the M53 offers a 3 year warranty. That is almost twice as long.
Cost
The upgrades to the M63 result in approximately $100 more in cost. In a sense you are paying $50 per year for 2 years of additional warranty. M63 will last much longer than 5 years. Zoeller sump pumps are well made, reliable and durable. Zoeller's reputation in the industry is excellent. Plus they have been in business over 80 years and make M53 and M63 in the USA.
Do I Need One-third or One-half Horse Power Sump Pump?
The average house requires a one-third horse power sump pump. That is houses with a 1,500 square foot footprint sitting on the top of slanted terrain. Houses with steep slanting roofs, large footprint located at a lower terrain than the neighborhood will require a one-half horse power pump.
How Much Horse Power Do I Need?
To determine horse power needed, count how many times the sump pump runs and how long it runs during a heavy rainstorm. Determine your basin diameter and vertical height of the discharge pipe system. Measure from the pump port to the top height where the vertical pipe before connects to the horizontal piping which routes the water to its intended location.
If a pump runs 5 times a minute during heavy rainstorms, the basin is 18 inches wide and the discharge vertical height is 10 feet, a M53 or M63 1/3 HP horse power pump meets your water pumping needs.
One inch of height in an 18 inch diameter pit equals 1 gallon. The M53 and M63 float ON height is 7.25 inches and the float OFF height is 3 inches so 4 gallons of water is removed from the basin every pumping cycle. Five times of pumping per minute removes 20 gallons of water.
The pumping capability of M53 and M63 is 34 gallons per minute at a 10 foot vertical height. Their maximum pumping capability per minute is 8 times. If a pump runs continuously for more than 15 minutes and the water rises above the pipe with the ground water leading into the basin, a one-half horse power pump is a better choice.
The Zoeller M98 and its upgrade M95, both 1/2 HP, will meet your water pumping needs. M98 GPM at 10 vertical feet is 61 GPM while M95 GPM at 10 vertical feet is 66 GPM. The M95 upgrades are the same as those applied to the M63 described above.
Can A Sump Pump Have Too Much Horse Power?
Yes. Installing a larger horse power than is needed causes a sump pump to start and stop, also known as short cycling, too frequently leading to premature motor wear.
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