The Battery Backup Sump Pumps You Can Depend on!

Most people discover they need a back-up sump pump or that there is such a thing when it's too late. Their basement has already flooded because of a sump pump failure or power outage. Then, they find out that home insurance does not cover the flood damage to their finished basement (say $20,000). Nor does it cover any necessary mold remediation (say $12,000). So, they pick up a back-up sump pump in a store but nobody warns them that:

• It is even less reliable than the not-so-reliable primary pump it is supposed to back up.
• It may interfere with the primary pump float and cause basement flooding.
• It has a short useful life of only 2–5 years before it needs replacing.
  

Most backup pumps and auxiliaries are made as cheap as possible because most of the time, they do not have to run. But we believe that the backup sump pump should be virtually 100% reliable because when the main sump pump fails, the backup is the last line of defense. If you have a well-furnished basement, you will want the most reliable backup sump pump.

The “plug-and-play” back-up sump pump kit Automatically protects your basement when power or the main sump pump fail. The highest reliability as your "last line of defense" against basement flooding. High pump performance but at an affordable price. A complete pump kit (except battery) – installation is a breeze!

click to enlarge

What makes our battery-powered sump pumps so unique?

1. Location, location, location! That's also key to the reliability of back-up sump pumps. Unlike other pumps, our pumps are placed out of the sump water. They are placed either completely outside the pit (RH-1400) or hang on a bracket well above the water (DH-900). Keeping the pumps out of the water avoids continuous exposure to dirty water, silt, and gravel. No clogging, mineral deposits, corrosion, or deterioration means unmatched reliability and longevity of the backup system.
2. Our back-up sump pumps are a must for smaller or busy sump pits that are common in most homes. They are designed not to interfere with the primary pump or its float. Most residential sump pits are just too small for two pumps and two floats. If the primary or backup pump floats get stuck or entangled, it may disable the pumps and flood the basement.
3. The pumps and auxiliaries are all heavy-duty for maximum reliability.
4. These are complete pump kits. Except for the battery, everything is in the box. And you do not have to buy an expensive proprietary battery.
5. Our pumps are easy to install. The connection is well above the pit, not inside like other back-up pumps. A handy homeowner can install the pump within an hour!

The "high and dry" backup sump pump (RH-1400)

Unlike other backup pumps, this high-performance pump sits on the floor (or a shelf) outside the sump pit for maximum reliability. Only its suction pipe and float are inserted into the pit. Particularly suitable for small sump pits.

The RH-1400 pump has a slim-line vertical float switch instead of a tethered float, which virtually eliminates the risk of entangled floats inside the sump pit. The footprint of the suction pipe and float is only about 5".

The suction pipe reaches almost to the bottom of the sump pit, so that it fully empties the pit in each cycle. Many back-up sump pumps have to be installed above the main pump and can lower the water level only several inches in each cycle.

The bottom of the suction pipe has a stainless steel screen and a one-way foot valve, which holds water in the backup branch and keeps the pump primed. The flexible discharge pipe (1.5") is connected to the main discharge through a T-connector (included).

For detailed description, specifications, and parts in the kit visit Installation Instructions RH-1400

The bracket-mounted backup sump pump (DH-900)

This "little sister" also features an ingenious design for maximum reliability and long service life. Its lower pumping capacity is sufficient for most homes with lower or average sump pump flows.

The DH-900 pump sits on a stainless steel L-bracket deep inside the pit but above the normal high water level. The bracket (included) makes the elevation of the pump within the pit widely adjustable. The pump has a small footprint inside the pit - about 8" in diameter. Suitable for tight sump pits.

The 1" flexible discharge hose is connected to a heavy-duty check valve and T-connector (all included) installed high on the main discharge pipe. Alternatively, it can discharge directly to the outside.

Of all the backup pumps on the market, this is the easiest pump to install! You may be done in half an hour.

For detailed description, specifications, and parts in the kit visit Installation Instructions DH-900

About other backup pumps

Some backup pumps are placed right at the bottom of the pit, which exposes them to silt and gravel, greatly reducing their reliability and service life.

Other backup pumps sold in stores are installed above the primary pump attached to a T-connector. The main check valve has to be placed below the T-connector. It sits right on the discharge from the primary pump where it is exposed to strong turbulence and constant pressure fluctuations. Such a stressed main check valve tends to break or develop a hole. Once the main check valve fails, water pumped from the backup sump pump will just flow down through the primary pump into the sump. The basement will flood.

The pump elevation is not adjustable. It cannot start pumping until the water level almost reaches the underside of the concrete slab and if the sump pit is shallow, water will wick through the concrete. Since the pump sits above the primary pump and can lower the water level only a few inches in each cycle, it will have to run frequently, which will shorten its service life. (The pump has to be cocked to avoid air-lock.)

The secondary check valve is just an inexpensive rubber flapper between the back-up pump discharge and the T-connector, where it is exposed to strong turbulence. A failure of this check valve will allow water pumped from the primary pump to flow through the backup pump back into the pit. The basement will flood.

These pumps do not have a heavy-duty float switch like on primary pumps for turning the pump on and off. Their float switch just turns the pump on. Then, the pump runs for a pre-set interval (10 to 20 seconds), whether needed or not. This wastes power and shortens the battery life.

High pump performance

The lift ("head") is the vertical distance from the bottom of the suction pipe to the highest point of the main discharge pipe. The higher the lift, the lower the pumping rate – but it does not drop off dramatically until about a 15-ft. lift.

Pumping Rates (gallons per hour)

Model:	RH-1400 (placed outside)	DH-900 (bracket-mounted)
at 5-ft. lift	1,800 gph	1,300 gph
at 9-ft. lift	1,400 gph	900 gph

The backup pumps are powered by a heavy-duty, high-efficiency DC motor (submersible). For more technical information on both pumps, check out Backup Sump Pump Specifications (PDF).

Backup sump pumps are supposed to operate only occasionally and have a lower pumping rate than primary pumps. They may take twice as long to pump out the pit (say 12 seconds instead of 6) and then, they just wait until the sump pit fills up again. Their main requirement is not raw power but reliability.

The high-efficiency motor and true shut-off float switch minimize the power drain. If you want to double the pumping time of the backup, you can purchase an extra battery case with a set of interconnecting cables for a dual-battery set-up.

Pumping Duration

Intervals	with 1 battery	with 2 batteries
"continuous" (1-min. intervals)	12 hours	24 hours
at 5-minute intervals	48 hours/2 days	96 hours/4 days
at 15-minute intervals	96 hours/4 days	192 hours/8 days

For both RH-1400 and DH-900. Based on fully charged batteries disconnected from power supply.

About the pump operation

Widely adjustable float: The vertical low-profile float of RH-1400 can be clamped at any height on the main discharge pipe and the float travel is also widely adjustable (about 9 to 3 inches). Whenever the water level in the sump pit rises too high, the float reaches a switch at the top of the float rod and activates the backup pump. The pump will shut off when the float fully returns to the normal down position – the bottom stopper (the Off switch). The placement of both switches is easily adjustable up or down. The DH-900 tethered float is a true turn on/turn off switch which can be clamped at any suitable height inside the pit.

Ideally, the high water level in the sump pit should not reach the drainage tiles. Filling the tiles and gravel bed underneath the floor slab would greatly extend each pumping cycle and soak the concrete slab in water. The vertical float of RH-1400 or the adjustable bracket of DH-900 with its float allow you to optimize the setup inside the sump pit.

Each pump kit includes a high-impact battery case to protect the battery and terminals. An automatic finish charger keeps the battery fully charged and unlike a trickle charger, also maintains a steady voltage. Colored battery status lights keep you informed on the charging status and condition of the battery. Audible alarm on the battery box, which is activated by the float, lets you know that the backup pump is operating.

The check valves should be regularly inspected to ensure they are in good order. If there is a common discharge, their failure would cause the basement to flood.

The installed pump must be protected against freezing.

The complete pump kit makes it easy

RH-1400 kit

DH-900 kit

All accessories for a typical installation, except batteries, are included. Each pump kit includes:

• Powerful pump and motor
• High-impact plastic battery case with cables and battery status lights
• Finish battery charger, pre-wired
• PVC suction pipe with one-way foot valve and stainless steel screen for RH-1400
• Vertical float switch for RH-1400 or tethered float for DH-900 and a clamp
• 1-1/2" T–connector for insertion into the main discharge pipe and adaptors
• Flexible discharge hose (1-1/2" or 1") and clamps
• PVC fittings for a typical installation
• Integrated buzzer alarm to let you know the primary pump is not working
• Illustrated installation and maintenance instructions

Easy do-it-yourself installation

Make sure there is a good-quality, fully functioning main check valve well above the primary pump but below the backup discharge T- connection.

The pump installation is a breeze! Tools and supplies needed – a PVC cutting tool or hand saw, PVC primer/cleaner and cement, Phillips and slotted screwdrivers, utility knife, tape measure, and large adjustable pliers.

1. Place pump in position on the floor or on the bracket
2. Install the T–connector on the main discharge pipe and connect to pump with a flexible discharge hose
3. Install suction pipe (only for the RH-1400)
4. Mount float switch and alarm
5. Install battery and plug in.

If there is a sump pump cover, drill a hole for the backup pump discharge hose.

The PVC suction piping for RH-1400 includes a 2-ft. section for insertion into the pit, an elbow, and a 1-ft. section for the horizontal distance from the pit. The piping can be cut as needed or substituted with longer piping, providing the suction height does not exceed 4 ft. Make sure that the end of the suction pipe remains submerged when the primary pumps empties the pit, so that the backup pump does not loose its prime.

Check out feedback and testimonials with photos from homeowners and plumbers.

You have to purchase locally a 12-Volt Marine Deep-Cycle Battery size 27. Unlike car batteries, deep-cycle batteries have thicker plates to allow repeated complete discharging. Ask about the best battery quality and warranty. A GFCI outlet is needed nearby to plug in the unit.

Price and shipping

Item	Price	Shipping
Battery sump pump RH-1400 kit	$389	$20
Battery sump pump DH-900 kit	$239	$15
Extra battery case with cables (optional)	$31	$8

Normally shipped the same or next business day. Delivery by courier in 3 to 5 business days. Valid for the lower 48 states. For express shipping or shipping to other states or Canada, please inquire first about the shipping costs.

Shop with Confidence

Backed up with a Customer Satisfaction Guarantee and a Manufacturer's Warranty.

1. 30-Day Money-Back Satisfaction Guarantee Within 30 days of shipment, if not completely satisfied with the pump, it can be returned to the manufacturer for a full refund of the price less shipping charges. You must phone us first and provide your name, address, and phone number. (Please purchase a shipping insurance in case it gets damaged during the return shipment to have a claim against the shipper.)
2. Manufacturer's Warranty The manufacturer warrants the pumps against defects in material and workmanship for a period of one year on the RH-1400 and DH-1800 pumps from the date of shipment. The manufacturer, at its option, will replace or recondition the product at no charge. Shipping the product back to the manufacturer is at your cost.

Follow-up service: Service and replacement parts are readily available.