Basement Watchdog BWSP - Special CONNECT® Backup Sump Pump (1850 GPH @ 10')

Thank you for your interest in Sump Pumps Direct. And funny you should ask, Simon! Basement Watchdog has recently updated the controller in the BWSP. The newly updated system has been on the shelves and in circulation for about a year now. According to Basement Watchdog, the updated controller has proven its reliability, having sold over 10,000 systems - with only 5 defective units to date.

While this new controller has some similarities to our previous one, some significant hardware and software changes have been made. Those changes include:

• Remote Notification - We have added in terminals which allow for remote notification. This system is now able to communicate with an Auto Dialer, Home Security System or other device, to alert home owners to problems or required maintenance

• AGM Compatible - The most popular revision allows the customer to utilize wet cell, or AGM maintenance free batteries

• Improved Charging System – Improved battery monitoring and charging system

• Weekly Pump Activation – The system will run the pump for a few seconds every week to not only test the pump but to also exercise it which will help prolong the life of the pump

Depending on the water table in your area and the potential for flooding you could go either way. If your water removal needs are below average, you could elect to go with a low GPH rated battery backup sump pump or water powered backup. Please note that water powered systems will only work with a minimum of 20-40 PSI. They will not work if you draw your water from a well. The typical water powered system would provide between 300-1000GPH of pumping capacity. If you're in a little higher water table that the flooding potential is a bit higher, you may want to consider a battery backup system rated at between 1000-2300GPH. If the flooding potential and water table are very high, you might look at the systems rated at 2400GPM and higher. You should also check with your local municipality to make sure that they are allowed as some municipalities have outlawed them as they do waste water in a sense.

These battery backup systems, like any other system are designed to work with their specific components only. If any one of them should fail, you could contact the MANUFACTURER and they would assist you in replacing the specific component.

Thank you for visiting Sump Pumps Direct. In answer to your question, YES, batteries will produce harmful gases when charging.

This is what the Basement Watchdog Owners Manual has to say regarding the subject.

Explosive gases could cause serious injury or
death. Cigarettes, flames or sparks could
cause battery to explode in enclosed spaces.
Charge in well-ventilated area. Always
shield eyes and face from battery. Keep vent
caps tight and level.
To help reduce these risks, observe the
following precautions:
• NEVER smoke or allow a spark or flame in the
vicinity of the battery.
• Use the Basement Watchdog Special control
unit for charging a LEAD-ACID battery only.
Do not use the control unit for charging drycell
batteries that are most commonly used
with home appliances.
• Be sure the area around the battery is well
ventilated.
• When cleaning or adding water to the battery,
first fan the top of the battery with a piece of
cardboard or another non-metallic material to
blow away any hydrogen gas that may have
been emitted from the battery.
• DO NOT drop a metal tool onto the battery. It
might spark or short-circuit the battery and
cause an explosion.
• Remove personal metal items such as rings,
bracelets, watches, etc. when working with a
lead-acid battery. A short circuit through one
of these items can melt it causing a severe
burn.
• ALWAYS remove the charger from the electrical
outlet before connecting or disconnecting the
battery cables. Never allow the rings to touch
each other.
• Check the polarity of the battery posts. The
POSITIVE (+) battery post usually has a larger
diameter than the NEGATIVE (-) post.
• When connecting the battery cables, first
connect the small ring on the end of the
BLACK wire to the NEGATIVE (-) post of the
battery, and then connect the large ring on
end of the RED wire to the POSITIVE (+) post
of the battery.

First off, the Basement Watchdog Special, model BWSP is not designed to operate with multiple batteries and will not do so. The only Basement Watchdog model capable of that would be the BIG DOG system. As long as the batteries are charged, it will operate whenever the float activates the pump. The Big Dog will also operate on AC power when it is available and DC power when the AC is not available.

As long as you have sufficient room in your sump basin, there would be no problem whatsoever!

For starters, the battery and control panel MUST be located indoors. The float switch and pump include 8' cables. Those can be extended a maximum 26' as long as the same gauge wire is used. The control wire or thinner gauge wire can be spliced as long as the gauge is the same or thicker.

12' extension cables with the Molex plugs for the pump and float are available direct from Basement Watchdog at 800-991-0466.

You would also need to provide extra protection from any possible freezing as this could potentially damage the pump beyond repair.

Per the instructions for the Basement Watchdog battery backup systems, DO NOT use a maintenance-free or a sealed battery. They are made of different materials and
will trigger a false “Battery problem” alarm.
A new Basement Watchdog 7.5 Hour Standby Battery, model 30HDC140S will run this system for a minimum of 7.5 hours continuously. However, most of the time the pump will turn on and off, and the battery will run the pump intermittently for days. In addition, the unique materials in the battery enable it to last for five to seven years in standby service.

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.

Short of a generator or an .Auxiliary Power System, there is no other option for a "battery backup" for your 120 volt primary sump pump.
The Basement Watchdog Special battery backup sump pump system, like any other battery backup sump pump system is designed to be installed along with your primary or 120 volt sump pump. The battery requirements for the Basement Watchdog Special are as follows:
A new Basement Watchdog 7.5 Hour Standby Battery will run this system for a minimum of 7.5 hours continuously. However, most of the time the pump will turn on and off, and the battery will run the pump intermittently for days. In addition, the unique materials in the battery enable it to last for five to seven years in standby service.

• The use of automotive batteries is NOT recommended.
Automotive batteries are not designed for this application. They will only run the pump for a short time and will have a shorter life than a standby battery.
• DO NOT use a maintenance-free or a sealed battery. They are made of different materials and will trigger a false “Battery problem” alarm.
• The battery fluid sensor and cap are designed to fit the Basement Watchdog batteries. Measuring the battery fluid is one of the most important features of the system; since about 80% of backup sump pump failures are the result of a dead battery

A typical sump pump will usually last anywhere between 5 & 7 years. When replacing, you should replace it with the same HP rating unless your pump has a difficult time keeping up with water to be ejected. As for the backup system, that would depend on the amount you are willing to spend and how much water you want your backup to eject. The higher the GPH, the higher the cost. However, you should just think of it as cheap insurance.

Installation instructions and parts required can be found in the owner's manual. You can access the owner's manual on the spec tab of the product page.

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.

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.

Update 11/16/15: Basement Watchdog has changed this requirement around 2013 and their backup systems will now accept maintenance free batteries. Please refer to their updated installation manual for instructions on the proper method for this battery installation.

The same reason batteries are sold separately with toys.

Basement Watchdog builds thousands of these at a time - but they do not sell all at once.

Some units will naturally sit on the shelf longer than others.

To ensure the unit works right out of the box, we frequently purchase a limited supply of batteries and constantly rotate our stock.

This is a great replacement model. If you want a new system with a fresh battery, get the SPD-BWSPKIT instead.