Battery Backups, Generators, a...

 What’s right for my home? Generators: Natural gas self-testing generators are becoming more common these days. They are pricey including installation, but they can be a lifesaver if your home consistently loses power for long periods of time, or you live on a high water table with a basement prone to flooding. However, if a pump dies, a generator can’t help much in that situation. Generators are not perfect just like any mechanical device. This is where a DC backup pump comes in. Battery Backup Pumps: A battery backup pump can keep your sump pit from flooding, lasting up to 8 hours until you can get the power restored, or replace the dead pump.

Types of Battery Backup Pumps

There are primarily 2 kinds of battery backup pumps.

• 12V DC battery backup pump.
• 24V AC/DC backup pump with a power inverter.

12V DC battery backup pump: The most common system

The Basement Defender^TM tests and monitors the DC Basement Defender^TM backup pump. It can pump 31.31 Gallons Per Minute and last 8.15 hour of continuous run time. With the plan, the Basement Defender^TM will test your AC pump, DC battery backup pump, as well as the battery, and charger every day. The Basement Defender^TM will send you an alert if a problem is found.

24V AC/DC backup pump with a power inverter:

In some cases, homes built on high water tables, (see blog here- https://basementdefender.com/blog/managing-groundwater) or with high discharge lines (over 8′ tall) a 12V DC backup pump does not have enough power to discharge the water fast enough. AC pumps have superior power to DC pumps, they can pump 61.22 gallons per minute (½ HP pump). What happens if your house loses power or your main pump dies? That’s where an AC/DC inverter comes in. It converts DC battery power into AC power to run a more powerful pump. With some homes this is your best, or only option. The downside to these systems is that they are expensive, and the battery lasts a shorter time, about 3.25 hours of continuous run time (due to the higher voltage it draws). The Basement Defender^TM can test two pumps daily, an AC pump and a DC pump. If you have an AC pump with an inverter, your AC backup pump can be tested daily. NOTE: Your AC/DC Inverter backup pump will be listed on your Basement Defender^TM Dashboard as your “High Primary Pump”, but really is your backup pump. AC/DC inverter systems use two 12V batteries to make 24V to run these high output pumps. The Basement Defender^TM does not monitor or charge 24V battery systems. They usually come with their own charging and battery monitoring systems.