Watchdog Sump Pump Review
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Why I Purchased A Watchdog Sump Pump
I recently purchased a Watchdog sump pump 2000 GPH, and I wanted to write a quick article to help others that are in the market.
Sump pumps are a must have for any home owner with a basement especially if it is finished . As little as 2 to 3 inches of water can cause thousands of dollars in damage and a failed primary pumping system is commonly the suspect. I made the decision to purchase a battery operated sump pump backup system after I experienced some flooding during a power outage. It is not one of those things that I gave any thought to until the damage was done. After quite a bit of research I decided to go with the Watchdog simply because of all the positive reviews that I found on both their backup system and primary systems.
Watchdog Basement Sump Pump (BW1050)
Sump pumps are a must have for any home owner with a basement especially if it is finished . As little as 2 to 3 inches of water can cause thousands of dollars in damage and a failed primary pumping system is commonly the suspect. I made the decision to purchase a battery operated sump pump backup system after I experienced some flooding during a power outage. It is not one of those things that I gave any thought to until the damage was done. After quite a bit of research I decided to go with the Watchdog simply because of all the positive reviews that I found on both their backup system and primary systems.
Watchdog Basement Sump Pump (BW1050)
What Should You Look For In A Sump Pump
First thing that you should look for is the correct horse power of the pump. They will vary anywhere from 1/4 HP to multiple HP. Usually a good 1/2 HP sump pump will displace about 2000 to 4000 gallons of water per hour if the drainage pipe is at the same level as the pump. The effective pumping volume decreases as you have to pump the water higher to remove it.
While the motor is important, the switching mechanism that turns the system on or off is vitally important. If the sump doesn't know when to turn on or off you have a big problem! There are a few different types of switches but the best one that you should look for are caged vertical floating switches. You do not want the type that are free floating. They look like a ball on a wire and they always get caught or stuck when you need them most.
The housing material is also very important when choosing a sump pump. Thermal plastic is good, while cast iron or stainless steel are the best. The most important part to have the metal housing for, is around the motor. There are some great pumps that have thermal plastic intakes and legs and that is fine as long as the motor is housed in metal.
While the motor is important, the switching mechanism that turns the system on or off is vitally important. If the sump doesn't know when to turn on or off you have a big problem! There are a few different types of switches but the best one that you should look for are caged vertical floating switches. You do not want the type that are free floating. They look like a ball on a wire and they always get caught or stuck when you need them most.
The housing material is also very important when choosing a sump pump. Thermal plastic is good, while cast iron or stainless steel are the best. The most important part to have the metal housing for, is around the motor. There are some great pumps that have thermal plastic intakes and legs and that is fine as long as the motor is housed in metal.
Watchdog Backup Sump Pumps
The watchdog sump pump comes with extensive monitoring units and alarms. The pump will notify you when the battery is getting low, if the pump is clogged or damaged and if it is improperly installed. There is even an alarm to let you know that the pump is running. The great thing is that they are customizable and can be turned on or off with the users discretion.
The backup system that I purchased will run for six to seven hours continuously on one battery charge. Once the battery is drained and electrical power is restored the battery recharges itself. I have read a lot of reviews that say the battery will last for 5-6 years before it needs to be replaced.
Another benefit of the Watchdog Sump Pumps are that they have a dual float system for redundancy. If one of the floats is caught or otherwise fails to work the second float will cause the pump to activate.
The pump also has a user friendly control panel that lights up for ease of use.
Basement Watchdog Emergency Backup Sump Pump (1000 GPH @ 10')
Basement Watchdog Sump Pump 1/2 HP Primary Pump
High pumping capacity 4,000 GPH (2,820 GPH at 10 Ft. lift)
Efficient permanent split capacitor motor (PSC)
Dual seals to protect the motor
Upper and lower ball bearings
Water-cooled, no oil to leak
Thermally protected
13 Ft. epoxy-sealed power cord
Stainless steel shaft and fasteners will not corrode
Non-corrosive housing
Vertical discharge provides narrow footprint to fit in sump pits as small as 7 In. in diameter
Built-in air relief vent
Includes caged dual float switch for added protection
3-Year warranty
For The Best Prices on Watchdog Basement Sump Pump (BW1050)
Basement Watchdog Sump Pump Combination System
Best Value!
is for you. These systems provide both primary and secondary (battery) pumping capabilities. If the power is interrupted, or if more water is coming into the sump than the AC pump can handle, the backup sump pump will begin pumping automatically. The backup system has unique monitoring features that diagnose a problem and sound an alarm. A light on the display panel of the control unit will indicate the cause of the alarm and the corrective action. The two systems have been pre-assembled for easy installation and come with very detailed instructions on how to set up the pump including if minor plumbing is needed for the hookup.
The Basement Watchdog Sump Pump Combination System that is available through the links in this article includes a watchdog battery which are arguably the longest lasting in the business. It will also contain six quarts of battery acid. The battery box is optional if desired but a good add on. The instructions that come with the sump pump will show you step by step how to prepare and install the battery. See below for the amazon listings on everything that you will need.
Primary system pumps 3,200 GPH at 0 ft. lift, 2,200 GPH at 10 ft. lift
Backup system pumps 2,000 GPH at 0 ft. lift, 1,000 GPH at 10 ft. lift
Compact, fits in pits as small as 12 In. in diameter
Includes dual float switches for added protection. Primary float switch has a protective cage.
User-friendly controller sounds an alarm, illuminates a warning light and describes what to do for easy maintenance.
Basement Watchdog 1/3 HP Combination Primary and Backup Sump Pumps w/ Battery
Unbeatable Amazon Prices
Lower Prices and Faster Shipping!!
Watchdog Sump Pump Reviews
Review Quotes From Various Sites
"Power invariably goes out during a major storm. I have had this baby for 6 years. During a recent storm this sucker kept my basement dry while my neighbors are bailing water. Also kicked in last year when the main sump went bad, and another time when float switch got stuck. Small price to pay for piece of mind. I would not recommend as a primary because it is pretty small. Also you need to check the battery once a year or so. After 5 years I bought a second battery to keep as a spare. Nice thing is it kicks in automatically even if you are not home!""I recently purchased the Watchdog Emergency Pump for a backup system to an existing pump in a home I just purchased. The directions were very good and made the setup a breeze. My only problem with it is that it is not powerful enough for my needs and upgrading to The Big Dog is just a little too steep. Although I like the fact that the Watchdog systems check the Batttery fluid level, I will probably be opting for the Wayne 3300 gph wich comes in a lot less $$. Overall though if you don't have a severe sump intake as I do this pump is a great value."
"Does not get used very often, but good knowing it's there. (has worked perfectly in tests - unplugged main sump pump.)
Note that it also works as backup for main pump, - but it's not heavy-duty enough for full-time, forever use"
"Nice product, fairly easy to install and works just as advertised. Great investment for piece of mind. Pump is more than enough for a back up and system works very well."
"This item is truly a complete package. The installation was very easy and the instruction well laid out. A day after installation, the system was tested with a power outage. All systems worked as expected."
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GrowWear
Feb 11, 2011 @ 2:39 am | delete
- Would not want a basement without a sump pump. Never know when it would come in handy.
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Obscure_Treasures Aug 9, 2010 @ 10:38 am | delete
- These all sound so good,I really like your lens. It gives me a lot idea
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