Sump pump D/C kit

GreenPowerManiac

I'm thinking about going Solar with my sump pump.

Would consist of:

1) 72 watt solar panel
2) Charge Controller
3) 1 - Deep Cycle Battery 100Ahs
4) D/C sump pump

Is this all I need besides the wiring and mounting ?

Now my pump is running on A/C. Can it be converted to D/C
Brand name: Zoeller Co.

May draw a few amps when running for a few seconds. It only runs for a few seconds every minute during heavy soaking rains. And will run this way for a couple days more. 11-3/4 months out of the year it does nothing.

mike95490

Re: Sump pump D/C kit

First:
What is the size (HP) or Watts, of the pump. You need an inverter that can manage to reliably start it at 3am, after a dozen other starts.

2nd:
Is it in a pit? Room for a 2nd pump?

Is your AC power reliable ?

Could a 12VDC boat bilge pump work with the amount of lift you have?

Go with a battery, and just use a smart wall charger, skip the solar panel

Cariboocoot

Re: Sump pump D/C kit

Most AC sump pump are 1/4 to 1/3 HP and thus really heavy power users for solar. There are alternatives;

http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/8/KitchenBath/Plumbing/WaterPumps/PRD~0623549P/Mastercraft%2BSump%2BPump%2BBattery%2BBackup.jsp
(Flotec - ought to be available locally in your area).

http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/8/KitchenBath/Plumbing/WaterPumps/PRD~0623508P/Emergency%2BSump%2BPump%2B%2528SUMP%2BBUDDY%2529.jsp
(I've no experience with these, but should work on "city" water if the pumping need is not too high.)

Or you can put together a "battery back-up" system charged from mains - no solar panels. Panels don't put out much power when it rains, and sumps tend not to need to run when it's sunny.

icarus

Re: Sump pump D/C kit

How about using a Rule 12 vdc bulge pump with either an electronic or float switch?

They draw ~5 amps, move ~3 gmp up to ~10' if memory serves, they are cheap to buy >$50. You could wire two or even three of them, install them at various levels in the sump so with lots of water they all run, when the water drops, only two run, and finally at the bottom just one runs. The will also handle a fair bit of trash.

Tony

http://www.rule-industries.com/products/pumps/bilge_pumps/index.htm

Slappy

Re: Sump pump D/C kit

http://www.tractorsupply.com/home-improvement/water-pumps/sump-pumps/shur-dri-reg-12-volt-battery-back-up-sump-pump-system-3123027

This is what I am using, I've just wired it to my PV battery system, and mounted the sump controller to the side of my battery box. Been using for a few months with no issue!

GreenPowerManiac

Re: Sump pump D/C kit

Slappy,

I've seen this idea and looks promising, however I'd still like to hook up a panel to the battery for charging and leave the charger off. Some charge during a rainy day is better than nothing when the power is out.

It's in a pit and I believe it's a 1/4 hp. It's rather small. Max uplift is 8' .

mike95490

Re: Sump pump D/C kit

GreenPowerManiac wrote: »

Slappy,

I've seen this idea and looks promising, however I'd still like to hook up a panel to the battery for charging and leave the charger off. Some charge during a rainy day is better than nothing when the power is out.

It's in a pit and I believe it's a 1/4 hp. It's rather small. Max uplift is 8' .

I'd go with a pair of marine bilge pumps. They can handle 8', can have integral float switches, and run right off a battery. even 1/4 hp motor is tough for a inverter, and you don't want to risk the basement and all the goodies.

Put one pump on a brick, and you have a totally redundant system till the battery goes dead.

1500 Bilge Pump (12 VDC) 1500 GPH
http://legacy.shurflo.com/pdf/Marine/product_data_sheets/Bilge%20Pumps/pds-358-000-00.pdf
7A, 1,400 GPH @ 8'

icarus

Re: Sump pump D/C kit

The shurflo pumps are virtual clones of the Rules that I mentioned earlier. Either or,,,.

I suspect that the Rules might be a bit cheaper since they are all over the net, and marine supply stores such as boaters world.

Tony