SEC America Blog

There are many products and systems being sold on the market today called battery backup sump pumps. These are add-on, DC battery-operated pumps that work in conjunction with your primary pump. They serve as a backup in case the primary pump becomes inoperable because of mechanical or electrical failure.

Sump pump battery backups are power converter/control systems designed for wall mounting and used in tandem with a battery or battery bank. This type of system is not intended to replace the function of the main pump in case of failure, but allows the main pump to seamlessly continue functioning at full capacity in the event of a power failure. A battery backup system for your sump pump is extremely important for providing peace of mind that your home will be protected from water damage. The ruggedness and durability of today’s sump pumps paired with regular inspection and maintenance can make mechanical failure or physical breakdowns quite unlikely. In fact, your sump pump system should last about ten years with the proper maintenance. The more common culprit for sump pump failure is power outage. Battery backup systems can be depended on to operate your pump even when utility power isn’t available, such as losing power during a thunder storm.

Sump pumps have been vastly improved over the years, and that has led to their increased reliability enhancing overall dependability when used in tandem with battery backup systems. With such an important topic as protecting your basement from water damage, you need all the facts before making a decision about what kind of system to use. 

Click here to view a list of Pump Sentry Distributors

Instruction Manual	Product Brochure	Product Pamphlet

One of the most frequently asked questions about sump pumps is, “Can I add a battery backup to an existing sump pump?” People are looking for a better alternative to cumbersome battery-operated backup sump pump kits that require the installation and setup of an entire secondary pump. These kits usually come with at least six independent components and require the purchase of additional supplies, including PVC pipe, check valves, and cement, in order to complete the installation.

With a given sump pump the only option is to increase battery capacity. This can be done in one of 2 methods:

If you need sump pump backup but extra space is unavailable in the sump pit and you want to maintain the pumping capacity of your main pump, you may decide to select a power inverter to generate AC power from a battery.

Pump Sentry™ for sump pumps comes in two sizes (power ratings). The 822PS is the smaller of the two, good for pumps drawing up to 9A of current, and the 1622PS will work for pumps drawing up to 14A. In order to make a proper selection, it is important to ascertain the electrical ratings of your sump pump, or at least determine its make and model number which would lead to establishing its ratings.