Warning

 

Close
Confirm Action

Are you sure you wish to do this?

Cancel Confirm
AR15.COM
9/4/2026 7:05:08 AM EDT
Need to get a battery today for our basement sump pump.  The old one died after 11 years and I hooked up an old car battery.  Obviously, that only lasted a week.  Looking at the Basement Watchdog 75AH for $210.  And another one, Nighthawk ML 100-12 100AH for $170.
The Watchdog supposedly has a better warranty, but $210 is hard to swallow.  Any opinions on a decent sump battery?
Thanks
9/4/2026 7:12:09 AM EDT
[#1]
I replaced mine with a 12v marine battery from Advanced Auto parts a few years ago.   No issues.   It was cheaper than the options you mentioned at the time.
Well, I was drunk the day my mom got out of prison....
9/4/2026 7:18:13 AM EDT
[#2]
Have you ran your sump on just the battery backup before?

My experience showed that the battery backup removed a lot less water than commercial power.  Had a really bad thunderstorm one night, very heavy rain, no power.  My then pregnant wife and I spent several hours bailing out the sump via a large QT cup and and a five gallon bucket.  

If I had a basement sump again, I'd have an easy way wired in to feed it with a backup generator.

Semper Fi
9/4/2026 9:48:32 AM EDT
[#3]
I can't say I've seen the battery run when the power's out.  We usually get either wind that knocks out the power, OR rain that doesn't.  I think we've lost power here 5 or 6 times in the past 15 years.  Usually about an hour.  The longest was 10.
9/4/2026 10:39:09 AM EDT
[Last Edit: ske714][Edited] [#4]
Originally Posted By dave5339:
Have you ran your sump on just the battery backup before?

My experience showed that the battery backup removed a lot less water than commercial power.  Had a really bad thunderstorm one night, very heavy rain, no power.  My then pregnant wife and I spent several hours bailing out the sump via a large QT cup and and a five gallon bucket.  

If I had a basement sump again, I'd have an easy way wired in to feed it with a backup generator.

Semper Fi
View Quote


I always mention my water-powered backup sump pump in these threads, because most people have never heard of one.  It uses water pressure and a venturi to suck the water out of the sump.  It's nice to never worry about a sump pump battery.  It will run forever as long as there's water pressure.

https://basepump.com/basepump/
9 lives - 9 pellets... Coincidence?
9/8/2026 8:42:22 AM EDT
[Last Edit: TheJMan1][Edited] [#5]
Quote History
Originally Posted By ske714:


I always mention my water-powered backup sump pump in these threads, because most people have never heard of one.  It uses water pressure and a venturi to suck the water out of the sump.  It's nice to never worry about a sump pump battery.  It will run forever as long as there's water pressure.

https://basepump.com/basepump/
View Quote

These are fine if you are on city water and sewer but not much help in the country with a well and septic.
"I would live this war one day at a time, and I promised myself that if I survived, I would find a small farm somewhere in the Pennsylvania countryside and spend the remainder of my life in quiet and peace.” - Richard Winters
9/8/2026 12:14:32 PM EDT
[#6]
Quote History
Originally Posted By TheJMan1:

These are fine if you are on city water and sewer but not much help in the country with a well and septic.
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Quote History
Originally Posted By TheJMan1:
Originally Posted By ske714:


I always mention my water-powered backup sump pump in these threads, because most people have never heard of one.  It uses water pressure and a venturi to suck the water out of the sump.  It's nice to never worry about a sump pump battery.  It will run forever as long as there's water pressure.

https://basepump.com/basepump/

These are fine if you are on city water and sewer but not much help in the country with a well and septic.


Less than 15% of homes in the US use well water.  Septic systems have nothing to do with it.
9 lives - 9 pellets... Coincidence?
9/8/2026 12:45:05 PM EDT
[#7]
Quote History
Originally Posted By ske714:


Less than 15% of homes in the US use well water.  Septic systems have nothing to do with it.
View Quote

I'm going to venture that most homesteads and farms have wells but whatever.
"I would live this war one day at a time, and I promised myself that if I survived, I would find a small farm somewhere in the Pennsylvania countryside and spend the remainder of my life in quiet and peace.” - Richard Winters
9/8/2026 1:13:02 PM EDT
[Last Edit: ske714][Edited] [#8]
Quote History
Originally Posted By TheJMan1:

I'm going to venture that most homesteads and farms have wells but whatever.
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Quote History
Originally Posted By TheJMan1:
Originally Posted By ske714:


Less than 15% of homes in the US use well water.  Septic systems have nothing to do with it.

I'm going to venture that most homesteads and farms have wells but whatever.


Not around here.  
I looked it up.  Only 13-15% of homes in the US are on a well.
9 lives - 9 pellets... Coincidence?

Sign up to continue the discussion

Create a free account to share your thoughts, follow topics, and connect with the AR15.COM community.

Already a member? Sign In