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Battery Back Up Sump Pump Battery Group Size is very important for 3 reasons: the battery size must fit in the battery box, group size has hour run time options and the battery group type defines maintenance requirements. Use the details below to choose the perfect battery for your battery backup sump pump.
Battery Back Up Sump Pump Battery Group Size Table Of Contents
Quick Info On Battery Back Up Sump Pump Battery Group Size
♦ Battery Group Size defines the dimensions of a battery. The battery is placed in a battery box and will not fit if it does not meet the manufactures recommended size.
♦ The most common battery group size for a backup sump pump system is Group 24, 27 and 31.
♦ The larger the battery group size, the more AMP hour (AH) capacity the battery provides.
♦ The pumping capacity of the battery backup pump impacts the AH a backup sump pump will run on a fully charged battery. The more pumping capacity a battery backup sump pump has, the higher the AH hours should be so the battery backup sump pump will run longer before a recharge is necessary.
♦ The recharging functionally varies by battery. The manufacturer defines the AMPs needed by the battery backup system charger. AGM battery types are sensitive to overcharging so battery charger amps becomes important for effective battery recharging.
♦ The battery for a battery backup sump pump must be a deep cycle marine battery because it will both start and stop the pump, but it will also keep the battery running and be controlled by the battery back up sump pump control unit during operation.
♦ All Battery Group Sizes come in three types of batteries: flooded (wet) lead-acid maintenance required, gel lead-acid maintenance free and AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat) lead-acid maintenance free batteries. Lithium-ion batteries are also a battery type and are being perfected for sump pump battery use.
♦ Battery volt size for battery backup sump pumps is 12V (12 volts). Note: 24V or 36V refers to a backup system using multiple batteries connected in parallel to increase the run time.
What Is Battery Group Size And Why It Matters
Battery Group size refers to two things: 1) Physical dimensions of a battery 2) Secondarily to the capacity of a battery when in use.
Battery Backup Sump Pump manufacturers build a battery backup system so the battery box size, control unit and battery charger work specifically for the Battery Group size recommended. Deviation from the manufacturers recommended battery group size will result in pump system inefficiencies and shorter pump system life span.
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Battery Group Size Physical Dimensions
A battery has three physical measurements: length, width and height. These measurements are standardized into Battery Groups. The Battery Groups are Group 24, 27, and 31 for battery backup sump pumps.
The standardized dimensions of the three battery groups used for battery backup sump pumps are as follows.
♦ Battery group size 24 is a maximum of 10 inches long, 6.8 inches wide and 8.9 inches high.
♦ Battery group size 27 is a maximum of 12 inches long, 6.8 inches wide and 8.8 inches high.
♦ Battery group size 31 is a maximum of 13 inches long, 6.72 inches wide and 8.44 inches high.
The dimension with the biggest difference between the battery group sizes is the length (3 inches).
Standardization of dimensions is very helpful because ...
♦ Manufacturers of battery boxes know what size the box dimensions must be so consumers can place a deep cycle marine battery into them.
♦ Consumers can buy any brand of battery and confidently know it will fit in the battery box as long as they buy the right battery group size.
Battery group size not only refers to physical battery dimensions, but it is also associated with amperage hour capacity. Amp hours (Ah) refer to the amount of current that is supplied from the battery over a certain period of time. So the larger the group size, the more amperage hour capacity. Amperage hour capacity is what is used to determine how long a battery backup sump pump will run before becoming fully depleted.
Battery Group Size amperage hour capacity is defined as follows.
♦ Group Size 24 capacity is Amp hours ranging from 70 to 85.
♦ Group Size 27 capacity is Amp hours ranging from 85 to 105.
♦ Group Size 31 capacity is Amp hours ranging from 95 to 125.
So battery group size defines the Ah (Amp hours) options for each battery. It is the Ah (Amp hours) that indicate how long a battery can run when in use before a recharge is necessary.
So asking the question: How Long Can A Sump Pump Battery Last Without Power, is associated with a battery group size Ah rating.
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How Long Can A Sump Pump Battery Last Without Power?
How long a sump pump battery can last without power depends on four major factors: 1) The battery group size 2) The battery group size amps 3) The frequency at which the battery backup pump runs 4) The height the water is pumped.
Here are some Battery Group Size, AMP Hour, 10 foot vertical height scenarios with a 6 AMP battery backup sump pump, which is a very common scenario.
♦ A battery group size 24 with 75 AH will last approximately 11.5 hours if it runs 30 seconds every 4 minutes.
♦ A battery group size 27 with 85 AH will last approximately 14 hours if it runs 30 seconds every 4 minutes.
♦ A battery group size 31 with 100 AH will last approximately 15 hours if it runs 30 seconds every 4 minutes.
♦ A battery group size 24 with 75 will last approximately 38 hours if it runs 10 seconds every 5 minutes.
♦ A battery group size 27 with 85 will last approximately 44 hours if it runs 10 seconds every 5 minutes.
♦ A battery group size 31 with 100 AH will last approximately 51 hours if it runs 10 seconds every 5 minutes.
Based on the above scenarios, it is obvious that the larger the group size the longer a battery will last before becoming depleted and needing recharging.
Each manufacturer provides actual run time scenarios in their installation manual. So be sure to check the owner's manual.
In general manufacturers state that a battery lasts 4 - 6 hours with continuous pumping.
How many Amp hours you need, how many Amp hours you want and how many Amp hours you can actually can use may not coincide.
If a battery backup sump pump system already exists, the owners installation manual will specify what Amp hour battery can be installed. Each battery backup sump pump model is limited to the battery group size specified in the owner's installation manual for proper operation. The control unit and the battery charger are tested to work with a specific battery amp hour size.
If a battery backup sump pump system does not exist or an upgrade is being considered, this is the perfect time to install a system that is capable of pumping close to the same GPM as the electric sump pump. This will provide utmost peace of mind.
To determine what size backup pump is needed, know how often and how long your electric pump runs during and after a heavy rainstorm. Here's some help to learn what size sump pump is needed. It is important to know the GPM (gallons pumped per minute) and GPH (gallons per hour) needed.
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Battery Backup Sump Pump Systems By Battery Group Size And Run Time
The most commonly used battery group size by battery backup sump pump systems is Group 27; however the group size that offers the most run time is Group 31.
The battery size that can be used by a battery backup system model is limited to the group size listed in the model owner's manual.
For your convenience, the most popular battery backup systems are listed below with the battery group size required.
Group Size 24 or Group Size 27
♦Wayne Battery Backup Model ORIG ESP25 and upgraded ESP25nwork with Battery Group size 24 or 27 which makes it possible for them to pump 1,500 GPH at a 10 foot vertical height so they will run for 6.7 hours on a full battery charge.
♦Basement Watchdog Backup Model BWE works with Battery Group size 24 or 27 which makes it possible for them to pump 1,000 GPH at a 10 foot vertical height so it runs 80 to 100 hours on a fully charge battery.
♦Superior Pumps Battery Backup Model 92900 and 92910 work with Battery Group size 27 which makes it possible for it to pump 1,080 GPH at a 10 foot vertical height can run continuously 7.5 hours on a 100AH fully charged battery.
Group Size 27
♦Glentronics (Basement Watchdog) PHCC-1850 works with Battery Group size 27 which makes it possible for it to pump 1,850 GPH at a 10 foot vertical height can run 100 hours on fully charged battery if runs once a minute.
♦Red Lion RL-SPBS works with Battery Group size 27 which makes it possible for it to pump 1,755 GPH at a 10 foot vertical height can run 6 - 8 hours continuously on fully charged.
Group Size 27 or Group Size 30
♦Basement Watchdog Backup Model BWSP and BWD12-120C works with Battery Group size 27 or 30 which makes it possible for it to pump 1,850 GPH at a 10 foot vertical height intermittently for 48 to 60 hours on a fully charge battery.
♦Basement Watchdog Backup Model BWD12-120C works with Battery Group size 27 or 30 which makes it possible for it to pump 2,200 GPH at a 10 foot vertical height intermittently for 40 to 50 hours on a fully charge battery.
Group Size 27 or Group Size 31
♦Zoeller Battery Backup Model 507-0005 works with Battery Group size 27 or 31 which makes it possible for it to pump 900 GPH at a 10 foot vertical height continuously for 7 hours on a fully charged battery.
♦Zoeller Model 508-0005 and 508-0014 work with Battery Group size 27 or 31 which makes it possible for it to pump 2,040 GPH at a 10 foot vertical height continuously for 6 hours on a fully charged battery.
♦Zoeller Model 585-0005 works with Battery Group size 27 or 31 which makes it possible for it to pump 2,160 GPH at a 10 foot vertical height continuously for 8 - 10 hours on a fully charged battery.
♦Liberty Battery Backup Model 441 works with Battery Group size 27 or 31 which makes it possible for it to pump 1,580 GPH at a 10 foot vertical height continuously for 4.25 hours on a fully charged battery or 6 days if it run 4 cycles per hour.
♦Liberty Battery Backup Model 442-10A works with Battery Group size 27 or 31 which makes it possible for it to pump 2,100 GPH at a 10 foot vertical height continuously for 5 hours on a fully charged battery.
♦Liberty Battery Backup Model 442-25A Dual Battery (24 Volt) works with Battery Group size 27 or 31 which makes it possible for it to pump 2,460 GPH at a 10 foot vertical height continuously for 11 hours on a fully charged battery.
To calculate how long a battery backup sump pump battery will last if running continuously when fully charged, it is necessary to know the battery Ah (Amp Hour capacity) and the amps the sump pump uses when running.
The formula is AH / Pump amps used = Continuous run time in hours.
For example, let's say we have a Group Size 31 Battery with 100 Ah, a pump that uses 10 amps when running and the pump runs continuously. The run time would be 100 Ah / 10 (pump amps) which gives us 10 hours of continuous run time.
This formula can be helpful to see the difference in run time between a 75 Ah and a 100 Ah battery. The more Ah (Amp hours) the longer the pump run time.
Can You Use Any Battery For Backup Sump Pump?
Yes and No. You can use any battery brand and battery type but it must be the battery group size specified in the battery backup pumps owner installation manual. The battery box, the control unit and battery charger must be sized for it.
What Are The Battery Types For Battery Backup Sump Pump Group Sizes?
♦ Battery Backup Sump Pumps use deep cycle marine batteries because they are made to provide sustained power over a long period of time and run reliably until they are 80% discharged or more and then need recharging,
♦ All deep cycle marine batteries are classified as lead-acid.
♦ The four types of lead-acid batteries for sump pumps are 1) flooded acid, 2) gelled acid and 3) Advanced AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat)
♦ Flooded or Wet Lead-Acid batteries have removable caps on the cell tops to allow topping up with distilled water as required. They need water added to their cells periodically. The older the battery the more attention it needs.
♦ Sealed lead-acid batteries use a calcium-alloy grid. They do not require water to be added or ventilation, and can withstand varying climates better than flooded batteries. Sealed rechargeable batteries also tend to charge faster than flooded batteries.
♦ Gel batteries are like the traditional lead-acid battery except for the addition of silica to the electrolyte to create the gel like substance. Gel batteries do not have free flowing electrolyte or removable vents and lose very little water during charging. Therefore gel batteries are considered non-spill able and maintenance free since no watering is required. They are also considered safer because they release less hydrogen gas from their vent valves
♦ The AGM batteries have no free-falling electrolyte because the fiberglass mats wick the electrolyte solution. There is no watering required. They are maintenance free. These batteries are most technologically developed.
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What Is The Best Type Of Battery For A Battery Backup Sump Pump?
An AGM battery is better than a flooded cell or gel cell lead-acid battery. An AGM battery is known for the following features.
♦ Environmental friendliness. They are sealed and do not emit as much gas. They use fiberglass mats sandwiched between lead plates. The electrolyte solution, is not fee-falling because the fiberglass mats wicks the electrolyte solution.
♦ Higher resistance to chemical corrosion which extends their lifespan and prevents chemical-spill accidents.
♦ More resistance to temperature and humidity changes. Being sealed makes a difference in their durability.
♦ Charge faster than the traditional lead-acid type. Lead-acid batteries have less internal resistance to charging and have a lower number of cycles than an AGM batteries, reducing their efficiency when compared with AGM technology
♦ Weigh less.
♦ Able to deep cycle better. They are designed to provide sustained power over a long period of time and run reliably until they are 80% discharged. They are designed to be discharged and recharged regularly.
♦ Functions more efficiently because of applied modern technology.
♦ No maintenance required. This is a very big advantage because it is so easy to forget to add distilled water which wet cell batteries required periodically.
What Are The Disadvantages Of An AGM Battery?
♦ The life span of an AGM battery can be affected by overcharging or undercharging; therefore it is very important to buy a battery that is compatible with the rate of the battery charger.
♦ AGM batteries are very pricey because they are more expensive to make. But based on statistics AGM batteries last twice as long as a sealed gel lead-acid battery.
Typically a gel maintenance free battery will last 3 -5 years and a AGM battery will last at last 7 years.
If the battery backup sump pump runs very little, it may be a good idea to have the battery tested in your local automotive supply store to see if it holding a charge.
If your battery never fully discharges and if it never discharges more than 80%, the battery will last longer.
Conclusion: What Battery Type Is Best For Your Battery Backup Sump Pump?
♦ Both a Gel and AGM maintenance free lead-acid battery will do the job well.
♦ If faster charging is important, then an AGM batter is the best choice.
♦ If you wish your battery to have a longer life span and not have to replace it every 3 to 5 years, an AGM battery is the best choice.
♦ If cost is an issue and you are concerned about over or under charging the AGM battery, the Gel Maintenance Free lead-acid battery is the best choice.
♦ If your existing battery backup sump pump will be replaced with a better backup system in the near future, now is not the time to buy an expensive AGM battery because different pumps have different battery group size requirements.
♦ Regardless of which deep cycle marine battery type chosen, make sure the battery group size purchased is recommended by the manufacturer in the owner's manual. The larger the Group Size and Amp hours (Ah) the longer the run time.
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