Sump Pump Options

I have a sump pump in our house that is probably 25 years old. It still works but during a recent very heavy storm it cycled on/off for nearly 12 hours, with - at the worst - only 10 sec off time before pumping again. Thankfully it did the job; no water in the basement. However, this woke me up to the fact that it's time to install a new pump. I would like to get one that has a battery back-up to be safe. I've seen such pumps at HD

In general smaller HP pumps are less affected by frequency and duration off time(cooling down time).
But pump motors come with different ratings. Best to determine if the pumps design is rated for your application before buying. You may have to contact the manufacturer to be sure, since the average store attendant probably wouldn't know for sure.

But I'm not sure of the connection between a battery back-up pump and the apparent concern of the severe service on your existing pump.
You can get a back-up, standard voltage pump, in case you existing pump craps out.
And/or you can get a battery back-up pump in case you lose your electric power.

Do you have a question?

Thanks for the reply, Diehard. Somehow I managed to post an incomplete version of my post. My original question was going to ask if anyone had any recommendations as to the most reliable brands of sump pump systems; there seems to be a lot to choose from. As to the battery back-up question: my plan is to replace the old pump with a new AC pump and supplement it with a DC back up pump in case the power fails during a big rain event; just as you noted. Thanks again for replying to my fairly incoherent post.

You could probably get some ideas from a web search on recommended sump pumps. And maybe some of the people here, that have more experience with residential type sump pumps, will have some recommendations. I dealt primarily with the industrial applications for sump pumps, which in many cases seem to be a lot more elaborate and expensive systems.
But in addition to looking closely at capacity vs. your discharge head conditions, you may want to think about the type of level control. For example is it adjustable and/or have adequate adjustment for your application(and sump size).
Good luck.

Not a plumber but I installed a Liberty backup pump. It works like a venturi off your public water supply. Won't work if you are on a well. You need electricity to run your well pump, if power goes out you will lose that and your sump pump. The Liberty pumps are cheap, about $160 on Amazon, no hassle with batteries every few years. You set the float above your other pump, if it kicks on it will let the city water supply into the system, it acts like a venturi and will pull sump water out with it. Something like 2 gallons of sump water for every gallon of city water through the pump. Yes you will have a high water bill if it is ever needed, but much better than dicking with batteries.

If you need a need pump, you can;'t be a USA made Zoeller.

I would go water back up. The battery back up needs to be used or the battery charged or like your car battery when not used it will die.

CT18 said:

I would go water back up. The battery back up needs to be used or the battery charged or like your car battery when not used it will die.

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I like the water backup.
The battery backup systems typically get set up with a trickle charger of sorts.

I’m a big fan of Liberty pumps. I would highly recommend one of them for your primary pump, and they do offer battery backup options. That being said, I don’t think the battery option would work for you. At least with your current setup cycling as frequently as it is. I wonder if you could upload a picture of your current setup?

learn something new every day. Ive never heard of water powered sump pump its a great idea. I cant use cause im on well so if i loose power i loose water but i think its a great option for city water.

I was familiar with eductors but never thought of it for that use, not to mention a package designed for a residential sump with float actuator, etc.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0013H94MO/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

I'm the guy that made the original post in August. I was under a lot of time pressure then b/c we were about to head off on a multi-week trip. It's been a VERY wet year here in the Mid-Atlantic and I didn't want to depend on the old pump while we were gone. So I made a decision and installed a ProFlo 1/2 hp main pump and a McDonald DuraMac 12vdc battery back-up pump. Returned after 5 weeks and a neighbor told us there'd been several big "gully washers" while we were gone. But basement was dry.

Great!

CT18 said:

I would go water back up. The battery back up needs to be used or the battery charged or like your car battery when not used it will die.

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If OP has well, these do not work.

I think if I had to rely on electricity for my water as well as having a need for a sump pump, I would definitely have an small emergency generator.

Diehard said:

I think if I had to rely on electricity for my water as well as having a need for a sump pump, I would definitely have an small emergency generator.

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It won't work because it is not designed to work with that type of system. Not enough water pressure and volume.

SHEPLMBR said:

It won't work because it is not designed to work with that type of system. Not enough water pressure and volume.

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If you had a generator you won't need the eductor type water pump.

EDIT: Actually I think it would work, because it goes down to requiring as little as 20 psi. But I agree it probably wasn't designed with the typical low pressures and flows from a well pump system.

Its hard to find a good sump pump