Not an RV question - Backup power for a sump pump
Hi,
This is not a RV specific question, but I thought this would be a good place to start.
Every year in the summer, we always worry about the storms that pass through and the resulting flooding that can occur in our basement if the power goes out. It has happened.
I’ve considered gas powered generators, department store bought battery power backup sumps, etc.
But I recently read something that suggested a deep cycle battery could provide enough power to operate a standard pedestal sump pump for small length of time. Now I’m not taking about a heavy duty sump pump that needs to lift water high, just an average sump pump that pushes water about 4 feet high, maximum. Although I haven’t read the amperage on our existing pump, I’ve seen a 1/3 horse pedestal with an amperage less than 4 amps.
All that said, I’ve come up with a scenario that I think might work. But not knowing much about chargers and inverters, I thought I’d post it here to see what others thought.
My plan is this...
1) Two 12v deep cycle batteries wired in parallel. Positive to positive, negative to negative.
2) On one side of the battery "bank", I attach a 12v battery charger that keeps these two batteries charged.
3) On the other side of the battery "bank", I have an inverter that inverts the DC to AC to provide power to a pedestal sump pump.
4) Inside the sump hole, I have the original AC powered sump, set lower to work when the power is on.
5) Also inside the sump hole, I have a second sump pump which will be my DC pump should the AC power go off. And of course, the DC pump is set higher and will only turn on when the water level increases above the AC pump's setting.
The above would satisfy two requirements,...
1) Provide a backup sump pump should the power go off.
2) Provide a backup sump pump should the original AC pump die.
*** The most important requirement that it satisfies, is that it provides a backup when we're not home to fire up a gas generator.
What do you think? Does this plan make sense? Any suggestions on power requirements or brand names for the batteries, charger and\or inverter?
For the devices (batteries, charger, inverter), I'd be looking for long manufacturer's warranties.
Any help or advice you can offer is greatly appreciated.
Steve.
This is not a RV specific question, but I thought this would be a good place to start.
Every year in the summer, we always worry about the storms that pass through and the resulting flooding that can occur in our basement if the power goes out. It has happened.
I’ve considered gas powered generators, department store bought battery power backup sumps, etc.
But I recently read something that suggested a deep cycle battery could provide enough power to operate a standard pedestal sump pump for small length of time. Now I’m not taking about a heavy duty sump pump that needs to lift water high, just an average sump pump that pushes water about 4 feet high, maximum. Although I haven’t read the amperage on our existing pump, I’ve seen a 1/3 horse pedestal with an amperage less than 4 amps.
All that said, I’ve come up with a scenario that I think might work. But not knowing much about chargers and inverters, I thought I’d post it here to see what others thought.
My plan is this...
1) Two 12v deep cycle batteries wired in parallel. Positive to positive, negative to negative.
2) On one side of the battery "bank", I attach a 12v battery charger that keeps these two batteries charged.
3) On the other side of the battery "bank", I have an inverter that inverts the DC to AC to provide power to a pedestal sump pump.
4) Inside the sump hole, I have the original AC powered sump, set lower to work when the power is on.
5) Also inside the sump hole, I have a second sump pump which will be my DC pump should the AC power go off. And of course, the DC pump is set higher and will only turn on when the water level increases above the AC pump's setting.
The above would satisfy two requirements,...
1) Provide a backup sump pump should the power go off.
2) Provide a backup sump pump should the original AC pump die.
*** The most important requirement that it satisfies, is that it provides a backup when we're not home to fire up a gas generator.
What do you think? Does this plan make sense? Any suggestions on power requirements or brand names for the batteries, charger and\or inverter?
For the devices (batteries, charger, inverter), I'd be looking for long manufacturer's warranties.
Any help or advice you can offer is greatly appreciated.
Steve.
