Complete Solution •Basement Watchdog Emergency Backup Sump Pump •Basement Watchdog Battery and Battery Acid •Provides up to 12 hours of continuous power
Protect Your Basement from Flooding •Automatically starts when your existing sump pump fails •Senses power outages
Exclusive Monitoring System •Controller monitors power conditions and battery life •Sounds alarm during failure or required maintenance
Backup Sump Pump •Empties the sump pit after a malfunction, outage or excess water •Pumps 2000 gallons-per-hour @ 0’ lift (or 1000 GPH @ 10’ lift) •Switches to 12-volt DC battery power when AC power fails
0.4-Amp Battery Charger •Recharges battery when power is restored
Dual Float Switch •Added redundancy for protection and piece of mind
Q: I'm considering the Basement Watchdog SPD-BDKIT for $675. I see what appears to be the same pump (BWD12120C), without battery, for $479. So I figure the battery and acid must be about $200. I see the battery (30HDC140S) for $140 and the same battery with acid (SPD-WDBATTERYACID) for $250. Does that mean you're charging $110 for the acid? In one of the Q&A's, you say auto parts stores should have the acid for about $20. OK, what am I missing? by Darrell Courtley from New Jersey on March 01, 2012
A: Everything that you see is true. Due to the corrosive and hazardous nature of shipping the acid, the cost is elevated. We sell the kit as convenience to those customers that want everything delivered to their door at the same time and we also offer the other options for those that don't mind making a separate trip for the acid to save a few dollars. And yes, most auto parts and big box stores should have the acid available for about $20. You do want to look for 1.265 specific gravity battery acid and it will come in a 6 quart box. by Jim, Product Expert
Q: If the backup pump is activated due to heavy water flow (to help the main pump) and the AC power stays on, will the system keep charging the battery to allow the backup pump to keep running indefinitely? by Scott Mueller from Connecticut on January 24, 2012
A: Yes, the controller will keep the battery charging and the pump running indefinitely if needed. This is true for the Basement Watchdog model BWE and the BWSP stand alone battery backup systems as well. by Jim, Product Expert
Q: Do I need to leave my battery backup system charging at all times? by Patrick Mcclone from Wisconsin on January 03, 2011
A: To be completely sure your backup system is fully functional during a power outage or weather event, these systems need to stay plugged in at all times.
Q: If I buy a Basement Watchdog pump do I need a Basement Watchdog battery? by Karen from Illinois on January 03, 2011
A: You can use any deep cycle marine battery, as long as it is not maintenance-free. However, there are several advantages to using a Basement Watchdog battery. The Watchdog battery accommodates the system’s fluid sensor which will sound an alarm when the battery needs water…a very important feature, since a dry battery will not perform. In addition, Basement Watchdog batteries run longer per charge, and last years longer. A typical marine battery will last 2-4 years, while the Watchdog battery will last approximately 5-7 years. Basement Watchdog batteries are shipped dry (without acid) so they stay fresh on the shelf indefinitely, while wet batteries have a short shelf life.
The system is designed to be used with a 12V "deep discharge" battery, different from a car battery becomes unusable after being completely discharged a few dozen times. The battery which comes with the pump has to be filled with acid and topped off periodically. The acid is hard to handle, it gives off fumes while one fills the battery, and each cell has to be filled to precisely the right level which is hard because the acid is completely transparent.
I live in an area where years pass between power outages of any duration. I would have preferred to use a car battery which requires no filling or refilling. However, part of the BW system is a needle dipping into one of the acid-filled cells. If the needle is not in the acid, an alarm goes on and it can not be turned off. So one has to use the BW battery.
At least, you might think, you can be sure the battery is good for hours of emergency use, but that is not so. I did not have a blackout since I installed the pump but every few months I turned it on for 20 seconds to check it. 4 or 5 years after I installed it, the battery alarm went on the moment I started the test. The battery would probably not have been able to drive the pump for long. In fairness, the instructions tell you the battery lasts only 5-7 years but what it does not tell you is that your pump can work for 6 hours only when the battery is new, and you have no way of knowing how long it could work when it is some years old.
One more thing. The instructions say drill a one-eight inch hole in the outlet pipe 3 in. above the outlet of the pump itself to prevent an air lock. A leak in the outlet pipe of course reduces the effectiveness of the pump, especially if it has to pump the water several feet up. I found that at a height of 3 in. a one-sixteenth inch hole suffices to let out air trapped under the valve.
The system is designed to be used with a 12V "deep discharge" battery, different from a car battery becomes unusable after being completely discharged a few dozen times. The battery which comes with the pump has to be filled with acid and topped off periodically. The acid is hard to handle, it gives off fumes while one fills the battery, and each cell has to be filled to precisely the right level which is hard because the acid is completely transparent.
I live in an area where years pass between power outages of any duration. I would have preferred to use a car battery... more
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