Zoeller vs Watchdog Battery Backup Sump Pump

Battery backup sump pumps are a crucial safety net for homeowners, ensuring that the pump keeps running when the power goes out or the primary pump fails. Two leading brands that offer high-quality battery backup sump pumps are Zoeller and Watchdog. Both brands are popular in the sump pump industry, and each has its own set of features and benefits. Zoeller Backup Pumps Are Robust, Well Built For Reliability And Heavy Continuous Pumping While Watchdog Backup Pumps Are More Budget Friendly.

In this blog post, we will compare and contrast Zoeller vs. Watchdog Battery Backup Sump Pumps by examining their similarities and differences.

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While there are several distinctions between Zoeller and Watchdog battery backup sump pumps, there are also some key similarities that make both brands viable options for homeowners in need of reliable backup solutions.

Both Zoeller and Watchdog battery backup systems rely on deep-cycle batteries to power their backup pumps. These batteries are designed to provide power to the pump for extended periods, around 6 hours of continuous pumping or multiple days for intermittent, until the power is restored or the primary sump pump resumes operation.

Switching to battery powered pump is automatic and switching back to the primary pump is automatic when the primary pump is able to run so there is no need to manually switch the pumps during power outages.

A battery charger recharges a depleted battery. An indicator notifies the homeowner when the battery needs replacing.

Both brands design their battery backup sump pumps to be reliable and perform efficiently in emergency situations; however Watchdog backup pumps offer more GPH performance and Zoeller motors have more power. Zoeller motors are built in their USA factory and also tested there.

Whether you choose Zoeller or Watchdog, you can expect the pump to operate effectively in removing water from your sump basin when your primary pump cannot do so.

Zoeller and Watchdog backup pumps are designed to be compatible with a range of primary sump pumps, meaning that even if you have a different brand of sump pump, these battery backups may still work effectively with your existing system.

The biggest compatibility issue is pump dimensions. If installing a battery backup sump pump on the basin bottom next to the primary pump is a priority, the Watchdog pump is narrower and will fit easier.

While Zoeller and Watchdog battery backup sump pumps have several similarities, there are also notable differences that may influence your decision when choosing between the two. These differences include design, performance, features, and pricing.

Zoeller battery backup systems are built and tested by Zoeller USA. Zoeller builds their own motors with care given to reliability, longevity and power. Their pumps are larger in dimension by one inch and weigh 5 pounds more than Watchdog backup pumps.

Watchdog, on the other hand, assembles their battery backup pumps from foreign and domestic components and does not test each pump before shipment. Their backup pumps are slightly more compact and lightweight.

Zoeller provides two styles of battery backup sump pumps: submersible and pedestal. Yes, Zoeller actually builds two pedestal style models: 580-0005 with 1880 GPH at a 10 foot vertical height and 585-0005 with 2160 GPH at a 10 foot vertical height. The 585-0005 pump performance is greater than the submersible model 508-0005 which has a 1800 GPH at a 10 foot vertical height. Watchdog only offers submersible battery backup sump pumps.

The Basement Watchdog model BWD12-120 offers more pump performance, 37 GPM at a 10 foot vertical height, than Zoeller Model Aquanot 508-0005 or Model Aquanot 508-0014 at 30 GPM at a 10 foot vertical height.

Zoeller motors are better built for long continuous pumping. In fact their pumps are so robust, the catch basin must be 18 inches in diameter and 24 inches deep to give peak performance.

Solids handling becomes an issue for those battery backup sump pumps that are installed to sit on the basin bottom.

Zoeller and Basement Watchdog backup pumps handle solids differently. Zoeller relies on a vortex impeller to pass small solids so no screen is used. Watchdog relies on a bottom screen to prevent small solids from flowing into the pump.

Zoeller pumps have no bottom screen requiring periodic cleaning. Watchdog pumps have a screen that requires periodic cleaning if the basin contains debris.

A battery charger is necessary to keep the battery charged even though it is not in use. When not in use the charger trickle charges the battery so as not to overcharge it.

When the battery charge is lowered after use or completely depleted, the battery charger recharges the battery. The charger amp rating determines how long it takes to recharge a depleted battery. The higher the Amps the quicker the battery is recharged. Even a battery charge of 10 amps can take 4 to 6 hours to charge a battery.

Battery charger Amps varies greatly by backup pump model.

Price is often a significant deciding factor when choosing between different sump pump systems. Zoeller systems tend to be priced higher than Watchdog systems, reflecting the higher capacity, durability, and larger pump sizes. If you are looking for a more affordable backup sump pump, Watchdog may be the better choice, as they offer lower prices with less durability.

However, it's important to note that Zoeller higher priced pumps are justified if you live in an area with frequent heavy rainfall and need consistent dependable high pump performance to prevent basin overflow.

Zoeller and Watchdog both offer warranties for their battery backup sump pump systems, but the terms of these warranties differs. Zoeller offers a longer warranty of 3 years. Zoeller also has a reputation for strong customer support and responsive service.

Watchdog offers a 2 year warranty. Watchdog does have a solid reputation for providing good customer service, with easily accessible support for troubleshooting and repairs.

Both brands offer replacement parts.

Both Zoeller and Watchdog offer reliable battery backup sump pumps that can prevent flooding and water damage during power outages or pump failures.

The most important part of the installation is measuring to determine if the pump can sit on the basin bottom or must be installed in line with the primary pump PVC discharge system.

If installing the backup pump in line with the primary pump PVC discharge piping, make sure the OFF height of the float switch is above the bottom of the pump.

Zoeller battery backup sump pump installation can be in-line with the primary PVC discharge piping or with theier own discharge pipe wioth the pump raised above the basin bottom.

Watchdog battery backup sump pump installation offers three install option: 1) On the basin bottom with a separate discharge pipe 2) On the basin bottom with a Wye pipe connecting to the primary disharge pipe or 3) In-line with the primary pump discharge pipe.

Watching a Zoeller backup pump installation makes things easier. Countryside Plumbing shares a video for an installation of the Zoeller Aquanot battery backup sump pump.

Though Basement Watchdog sump pumps are basically installed the same, here is a video for a Watchdog Battery Backup install.

The best battery for a sump pump backup is the one recommended in the Models Installation Instructions.

That being said, the longest lasting and maintenance free battery for both Zoeller and Basement Watchdog backup pumps is an AGM standby battery which is a 12-volt deep cycle marine battery.

There is a lot of discussion about using LiFePO4 batteries because of their benefits; however they are not yet recommended by Zoeller or Watchdog for their backup pumps.

Based on experience, we discovered that using the battery designed specifically for its model lasts the longest and functions best.

The larger the battery group size and the more AH (Amp hours), the longer the battery will conotinue pumping when in use before becoming depleted. Though the manual indicate what battery group size is appropriate for a backup pump model, the AH can be selected bnu the installer.

Yes, you can use a maintenance-free battery, specifically an AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat) battery, with your Basement Watchdog and Zoeller sump pump. Gone are the days when you need to use a Wet Cell battery and add water or acid and perform regular maintenance on them.

A sump pump battery can last 5-7 years in standby mode. AGM batteries last longer than Wet batteries.

The battery run time during usage depends on the frequency of running, and the motors power. Typically, continuous run time is around 6 hours; intermittent run time is 48 hours or more. Zoeller and Basement Watchdog backup pump systems allow the connection of two batteries in parallel to double the run time.

The larger the battery group size the longer the battery will run when in sue. The same is true for battery AMP hours. A 75AH battery will not run as long as a 100AH rated battery.

When it comes to battery life span, generally speaking wet batteries will not last as long as AGM batteries. Typically a wet cell battery will last from 3 to 5 years. An AGN battery can last 7 tp 10 years.

A battery backup pump is better in most situations because battery operated pumps offer more GPH, Water powered pumps need municipal water and at least 60 pounds of pressure, plus not all local governments allow the usage of water powered pumps.

Having to replace the battery every 3 to 5 years for a battery backup pump requires monitoring the LED control system indicators; however Models such as Zoeller Aquanot 508-0005 offer more pumping capacity.

Zoeller battery backup sump pumps are built in their Zoeller US factory which adds to their quality. Their motor is more reliable and powerful; however, not all homeowners need such a robust backup pump. Basement Watchdog backup pumps work well for moderate rains requiring infrequent continuous pumping.

Both Zoeller and Watchdog backup pumps can be installed in line with the primary pump PVC discharge pipe. This makes it possible to install a backup pump in a narrow pit; however the pit must be deep enough for the pump float switch to be attached below the ground water incoming pipe into the pit.

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