Basement Watchdog SPD-BDKIT Power Equipment Reviews & Ratings

I installed my Basement Watchdog in 2005 after determining I needed a serious backup for my existing sump. I installed the Dog on separate piping to the backyard since my initial problem was the street main backing up during a hurricane. My existing tiny sump had no place to pump the water. Now I have two very large sumps that operate independently. The Watchdog is definitely the back up since I have set the float sensor two inches higher than the main pump (both in the same sump)

The Watchdog has performed magnificently. Not a drop of water in the basement in 6 years. It gave me enough confidence to finish the basement two years ago. It does get called to service maybe half dozen times a year in torrential downpours. Never a failure. I really like all the controls and warning lights. I have topped off the fluid twice in 5.5 years (the computer light told me to do it). Alas, I'm now getting a signal that the battery has problems, and I'm not upset at all. It has served well and for a modest price (relative to the glorious Man Cave it protects), I'm going out to pop for a new watchdog battery and acid. Well done Watchdog!

I installed my Basement Watchdog in 2005 after determining I needed a serious backup for my existing sump. I installed the Dog on separate piping to the backyard since my initial problem was the street main backing up during a hurricane. My existing tiny sump had no place to pump the water. Now I have two very large sumps that operate independently. The Watchdog is definitely the back up since I have set the float sensor two inches higher than the main pump (both in the same sump)

The... more

I installed the Basement Watchdog Big Dog Backup Pump about 5 weeks ago. It was relatively easy to do, the diagrams in the instructions were easy to understand.

After installing the pump and battery, I tested it and it worked great. I have since tested the pump a few times and everything seems to be fine.

I especially like the light on the control box that tells me if the backup pump was engaged. Having the backup pump on my system gives me a lot more peace of mind now.

I would definitely recommend this setup to anyone wanting a backup sump pump.

I installed the Basement Watchdog Big Dog Backup Pump about 5 weeks ago. It was relatively easy to do, the diagrams in the instructions were easy to understand.

After installing the pump and battery, I tested it and it worked great. I have since tested the pump a few times and everything seems to be fine.

I especially like the light on the control box that tells me if the backup pump was engaged. Having the backup pump on my system gives me a lot more peace of mind now.

I... more

I have been servicing these pumps since they 1st came out. They have been nothing but trouble for almost all our customers. Alarm, after alarm, after alarm, after alarm. We stopped selling them because of all the complaints.

I had my system for about 4 or 5 years when a board in the controller box went bad - fuse blows when plugged in. I called they company and they said I had to remove the systems from my sump and sent it back in for repair. After going through all of that and getting the unit repaired for about $200 I re-installed it and it worked for about another year before the same thing happened again. Needless to say I find that the electronics are unreliable and I am replacing the system with something that I can depend on.

I had my system for about 4 or 5 years when a board in the controller box went bad - fuse blows when plugged in. I called they company and they said I had to remove the systems from my sump and sent it back in for repair. After going through all of that and getting the unit repaired for about $200 I re-installed it and it worked for about another year before the same thing happened again. Needless to say I find that the electronics are unreliable and I am replacing the system with something... more

An alarm went off indicating a battery problem. After further investigation it turns out that the battery water level was low (no cell was dry). I topped off each cell with water and reset the alarm. The next day the alarm sounded again indicating a battery problem. This went on for weeks until it just stopped sounding.

The response from tech support was slow (took days) and useless. DO NOT buy this system, more trouble than it's worth.

The rating on the backup system is the same as my Zoeller primary pump, however when the power failed the Watchdog battery backup system was overwhelmed and could not keep up and flooded my basement. This system looks great on paper but was really unimpressed with the quality....

I have owned two of these units. The controller on the first unit failed twice. I bought the second as a replacement for the first. The distributor assured me the manufacturer had updated the controller and solved the issue of reliability. Unfortunately, the new unit's controller also failed in the same manner. I have since upgraded to a more expensive system with no problems.

I have a summer home at the NJ shore outside of Atlantic City. It is a 95 year old perfectly restored property that is 1 1/2 blocks from the beach. Last year I decided to install 3 of the Basement Watchdog Big Combo units to replace three standard pumps in my 1500 sq. ft. basement.

We have just experienced the devastation of Hurricane Sandy while physically being in Florida for the season. We lost power in the first day of the storm, most likely sometime Monday; and just had the power restored this afternoon (Thursday). We had serious concerns first for our entire property and secondarily for the basement.

Yesterday we discovered that our house has no damage whatsoever, and the basement had a couple inches of water. Today someone physically entered the house and reported that the pumps were back up and running. The batteries were recharged and the basement was already clear of most of the water with only wet spots.

I suspect the three units handled the surge of the storm and lasted until the batteries ran out. Since the specifications are for 7.5 hrs of continuous running, there is no exact way to tell how long they lasted with some intermittent cycling after the storm and high tides passed, but considering this once in a lifetime storm I cannot say enough great things about these units.

For anyone wondering why they should spend more money for these units than ones that cost a lot less- read this again.

I have a summer home at the NJ shore outside of Atlantic City. It is a 95 year old perfectly restored property that is 1 1/2 blocks from the beach. Last year I decided to install 3 of the Basement Watchdog Big Combo units to replace three standard pumps in my 1500 sq. ft. basement.

We have just experienced the devastation of Hurricane Sandy while physically being in Florida for the season. We lost power in the first day of the storm, most likely sometime Monday; and just had the power... more

Bought the basement watchdog as a backup for .5 HP sump pump that has occasional use. The low capacity pumping capability of the watchdog pump is totally inadequate to serve my needs. I can't imagine where it would be useful since it pumps maybe 20% of what is produced from my small 110V sump pump. I would be glad to ship it back for some refund. Suggest that the company provide more accurate info on pumping capacity in order to better inform the buyers.

I wonder if these reviews are all for the same product? I have owned the "Big Dog" pump for 5 years. It is the top of the line Emergency Watchdog pump that is 1/2 hp. Emergency Watchdog makes smaller cheaper pumps. Some of these reviews must be intended for those. The big dog pump has performed very well for me. I have had no reliability issues. It pumped for 14 hours through Hurricane Sandy and handled the load fine. You do get alarms whenever power is cut off or the pump activates for some reason, but that is good. You can shut off the alarm with a press of a button. You can even set it so that the alarm doesn't go off. I highly recommend this pump.

I wonder if these reviews are all for the same product? I have owned the "Big Dog" pump for 5 years. It is the top of the line Emergency Watchdog pump that is 1/2 hp. Emergency Watchdog makes smaller cheaper pumps. Some of these reviews must be intended for those. The big dog pump has performed very well for me. I have had no reliability issues. It pumped for 14 hours through Hurricane Sandy and handled the load fine. You do get alarms whenever power is cut off or the pump... more

I had a service person hook it up and looks great but really hasn't been used as we have not lost electricity. Nice lights and seems like there isn't any need to do anything at this time. It looks and seems totally automatic and I really hope that's as far as it goes.

This is just in case we were to lose electricity as our lower level is finished. (Your cast iron sump 3/4 pump is awesome as that has functioned well during heavy rains we received this summer). Back to the back up it's only precautionary in case of lost electricity.

I had a service person hook it up and looks great but really hasn't been used as we have not lost electricity. Nice lights and seems like there isn't any need to do anything at this time. It looks and seems totally automatic and I really hope that's as far as it goes.

This is just in case we were to lose electricity as our lower level is finished. (Your cast iron sump 3/4 pump is awesome as that has functioned well during heavy rains we received this summer). Back to the back up it's... more

Just had an October snowstorm which for NJ is almost unheard of. Lost power for days. This pump cycled on maybe 4 times per hour and battery lasted for days. Saved me a whole lot of problems. Get one before the flood happens!

What to say, great price and super fast delivery. Works great.

I purchased the Basement Watchdog after many weeks of research both in the stores and on the internet. The price was one of the lowest I saw and the free shipping sold it for me.

The pump came only a few days after placing the order. I had a plumber put it in because I wanted a separate pipe ran out of the house into the yard in-case I had a street back up.

The manual was very easy to understand and I hope I will never have to use it, but I'm glad to know it is working in the back round. I would definitely purchase other items from Sump pumps direct again if i should need anything.

I purchased the Basement Watchdog after many weeks of research both in the stores and on the internet. The price was one of the lowest I saw and the free shipping sold it for me.

The pump came only a few days after placing the order. I had a plumber put it in because I wanted a separate pipe ran out of the house into the yard in-case I had a street back up.

The manual was very easy to understand and I hope I will never have to use it, but I'm glad to know it is working in the... more

The pump saved us during the flood.