Hello,
I have the opportunity to get an APC UPS at a discount. Can I use this as a
power source for a sump pump that draws 7 amps? I am not sure what size of
UPS would work for this application.
I would prefer not to install a backup sump if I can just plug the existing
one into a UPS.
Thank you for your time.

"Jack" wrote in message
news:EmBWg.8902$Go3.3949@dukeread05...
Hello,
I have the opportunity to get an APC UPS at a discount. Can I use this as
a power source for a sump pump that draws 7 amps? I am not sure what size
of UPS would work for this application.
I would prefer not to install a backup sump if I can just plug the
existing one into a UPS.
Thank you for your time.
Not a chance in ...
A 7a sump pump will draw (feel free to actually measure it, as they can vary
widely) 20 to 25 amp when starting. Will your UPS supply 2500w? For how
long?

Also, UPSs are square waves because computer power supplies don't care. But
motors do. I wouldn't want to run my sump pump with square waves.

And finally, a back up will work if your sump pump breaks. A UPS is pretty
useless then.

A backup pump only takes a couple hours to install.

I agree with the other poster. It's much more practical to add a second
battery-backup pump. They aren't that expensive (maybe $200 tops) and then
you have double protection -- both if power fails, and if the main pump
fails.

I added a "basement watchdog" pump several years back, after I had a very
near flood during a brief (2 hour) power outage during a major rainstorm in
a particurly rainy fall... (sump was just topping over the edge when the
power came back on -- I was bailing like mad but no way could I keep up...)

Standard pumps use way too much power for standard UPS's, which are made for
computers that take hardly any power.

My pump is supposed to be able to run constantly for 24 hours on battery...
No UPS is gonna give you that...

-Tim

"Jack" writes:
Hello,
I have the opportunity to get an APC UPS at a discount. Can I use this as a
power source for a sump pump that draws 7 amps? I am not sure what size of
UPS would work for this application.
I would prefer not to install a backup sump if I can just plug the existing
one into a UPS.
Thank you for your time.

This is unfortunately an idea frought with all sorts of potential
problems.

Now, there probably is an APC ups with pure sine wave output that
might do this duty just fine, but something tells me that even with a
discount, the size you'll need for the inductive load of a standar
sump pump
a) it's gonna cost more than $250
and
b) it wont provide you a completely redudant pump in the pit
in case of main pump failure for reasons other than power
outage.

I'd spend $250 on a Basement Watchdog that has the right battery
matched with a compatible pump.

But do get an APC UPS for your computer. :-)

--
Todd H.
http://www.toddh.net/

search for EMERGENCY BACK UP SUMP PUMP - WATER POWERED

Jack wrote:
Hello,
I have the opportunity to get an APC UPS at a discount. Can I use this as a
power source for a sump pump that draws 7 amps? I am not sure what size of
UPS would work for this application.
I would prefer not to install a backup sump if I can just plug the existing
one into a UPS.
Thank you for your time.