Sump Pump advice

17 years ago

My sump pump that came with the house I bought died from this noreaster monday. We had a power outage and by the time my power came back, my non-submersible pedestal sump pump (A Flotec PM3600D) was underwater and not functioningÂ So I borrowed a submersible pool pump and pumped out all the water (A lot!! ran for 12+ hours though itÂs a small flow pump) Anyway, I need to replace it but would like to find a submersible pump. Basement is unfinished and I already plan for water so no big deal, no real damage or anything which is why I donÂt think I need to go with the battery backup DC sump pump. Unfortunately, looking at all the submersible pumps with an auto float valve, they donÂt seem to move a lot of water per pump cycle. My pedestal sump pumps sits in a sump well about 15" wide and a good 20" or so deep and it moves a lot of water per cycle. IÂm afraid during heavy water seepage, a submersible sump pump would almost be running constantly, however, IÂve yet to find a submersible pedestal sump pump....

Do you know of any? Is the reason they donÂt make a submersible pedestal pump because of overheating? One can assume that the submersibles being underwater could use the naturally cold rainwater as a cooling source cause obviously it canÂt be vented to the air? The pedestal sumps are air cooled...which makes them not submersibleÂ

Is there a submersible pump that can pump a large volume and from a large sump well??? Should I be concerned about this?

Also, I am fairly certain that my Flotec 3600D is 1 1/4" NPT female thread as I measured it and it has about a roughly 1.5" outer diameterÂ

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_pipe_thread

Seems to indicate that a 1.5" NPT is about 1.90" outer diamter and that is not the case..

My output tube is a 1 1/2" PVC piping connected to a fixed PVC line through my foundation connected via a rubber hose clamp. I would assume that if I was to buy a 1 1/2" NPT sump pump I could get a converter and run it that way, IÂm not concerned at all for loss of flow or anything.

Jay

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Comments (6)

arichard21
17 years ago
i just recently bought a new sump when our old one bit it. i cant remember what brand exactly, but it is a 1/2 hp submersible that flows 3500 gpm and works great. empties water 3x as fast as the old 1/4 hp p.o.s.! it has a 1 1/2 in outlet. i will check when i get home at the brand name
jayh
Original Author
17 years ago
But how much travel does it have on it's float valve, I can assume it's a vertical activator? My pedestal sump pump has a long travel such that it only runs about once/twice a minute during the heaviest of leakage. A small submersible one would be running ever 10 seconds or so on/off/on/off! I have not heard of being able to or anybody macguyvering the switch to allow it to run less but pump more.. I have a sump well that is about 15" diameter and about 20" deep.

Your sump must be 3500gph (not 35000 gpm :-) ) and decreasing as your head height increases. Of course, many submersible pumps are twice as much as pedestal ones and mine has been here since '99 according to a sticker I found on it.

Jay
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Was the problem ever identified and rectified? I am having the same dilemna at my house. I have lived in this ranch built in 1960 for about a year and a half. Two weeks ago I noticed the crock was about 3/4 full and the pump wasn't working. I manually lifted the float and the pump ejected the water that was in the crock. I did this for about 5 cycles and was surprised the crock kept taking on water. I eventually burned the pump out and had to bail the crock by hand. I installed a new 1/2HP submersible pump (someone else bailed while I went to Homeless Depot). The new pump has been cycling twice a minute and the incoming flow is showing no signs of tappering off. I considered a leak in the city water lead to my house but have not noticed any soggy spots in the lawn. I attached a pool hose off the 1-1/2" discharge point outside the house at grade. I ran the pool hose all the way to the ditch at the street to avoid ponding outside the house and further foundation drainage. I am baffled with this situation as the sump did not run like this last spring at this time, and the pump I replaced looked original.... so it must not have been overworked during the last 48 years. We have not had rain in over 6 days and the crock continues to take on a steady stream of water. My only thought is the water table has risen and is now at a depth equivalent to my perimeter foundation drains. My neighbors are not experiencing the same problems - and they're houses are relatively at the same grade as mine. I could replace/add a larger capacity crock.... but I need to get the water to seive before getting into that weekend warrior special. Any other ideas for potential causes before I have to call in the profesionals to assist? Thanks
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adenn1
17 years ago
Jay:

Look into the Little Giant submersible sump pumps...they make at 1/2 hp unit that will put out 5000 GPH @ 5' of head.
I have one of their 1/3hp pumps--this replaced a very old pedestal pump...works great.

They both have an automatic pressure switch...the 1/2hp unit kicks on when water reaches 8-12" and shuts off at 1-4".

Here is a link that might be useful: 1/2hp Little Giant
jayh
Original Author
17 years ago
I just checked the LG, in fact the small pool pump I borrowed is a Little Giant, worked slow but well as an emergency pump.

Those 1/2 HP Little Giants are quite pricey $350+ although the TSW looks like a good product..

http://www.lgpc.com/Product/ItemDetail.aspx?ProductID=1307

I saw this online for $147 and it has a built in-high water alarm and available DC battery backup...

Sounds good to me, but unfortunately my order for the Hechingers has already come to bear unless I return it...

Jay
adenn1
17 years ago
I did not think of the cost of the 1/2Hp LG's...I should have known. They really have seen to go up in price...at least locally. I got my 1/3hp LG about two years from a local plumbing supply store for about $125. I called yesterday about picking up a second one (I have two pits)...and they now want $172! I guess I will buy one off Ebay.

I will have to look at the TSW...I have small pits...only 12" in diameter and 16" deep.
quip
17 years ago
My pit is about the same diameter as yours the OP's. I use tether switches to control my submersible pumps without any problems. You can even buy a separate tether switch (or separate the original one), allowing you to adjust the placement and length of the tether to suit you pit and pump. Of course you won't want it to suck dry or catch on any obstructions. I felt vertical switchs had too short of throw for my needs.

Sump Pump advice

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Sump Pump advice

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