I have a pedestal sump going on 14 years. I wonder how much longer it will run.
Typically, it runs 3-4 months a year between Dec and Apr. During heavy rain, it
will run about once every 2 minutes for about 10 seconds. It sits in a 5 gallon
can dug into the basement floor. There is also a battery operated pump in the
sump which will run if the the pedestal sump either fails or the electricity
quits. I figure after 14 years, it is getting near the end of life. Any thoughts?

On Tuesday, January 24, 2017 at 6:30:24 PM UTC-5, Arnie Goetchius wrote:
I have a pedestal sump going on 14 years. I wonder how much longer it will run.
Typically, it runs 3-4 months a year between Dec and Apr. During heavy rain, it
will run about once every 2 minutes for about 10 seconds. It sits in a 5 gallon
can dug into the basement floor. There is also a battery operated pump in the
sump which will run if the the pedestal sump either fails or the electricity
quits. I figure after 14 years, it is getting near the end of life. Any thoughts?

One part of me says you're right, it's getting old. The other part
of me tells me that if you replace it, what you get today will probably
not last nearly as long and many new products today fail after just a
few years.

trader_4 wrote:
On Tuesday, January 24, 2017 at 6:30:24 PM UTC-5, Arnie Goetchius wrote:
I have a pedestal sump going on 14 years. I wonder how much longer it will run.
Typically, it runs 3-4 months a year between Dec and Apr. During heavy rain, it
will run about once every 2 minutes for about 10 seconds. It sits in a 5 gallon
can dug into the basement floor. There is also a battery operated pump in the
sump which will run if the the pedestal sump either fails or the electricity
quits. I figure after 14 years, it is getting near the end of life. Any thoughts?

One part of me says you're right, it's getting old. The other part
of me tells me that if you replace it, what you get today will probably
not last nearly as long and many new products today fail after just a
few years.

The battery operated pump (Watchdog) is only a year old and it is hooked up to 3
deep cycle marine batteries. If the pedestal failed, the battery pump would keep
me going through the wet season and I could replace the pedestal at my convenience.

On Tue, 24 Jan 2017 18:55:18 -0500, Arnie Goetchius
wrote:

trader_4 wrote:
On Tuesday, January 24, 2017 at 6:30:24 PM UTC-5, Arnie Goetchius wrote:
I have a pedestal sump going on 14 years. I wonder how much longer it will run.
Typically, it runs 3-4 months a year between Dec and Apr. During heavy rain, it
will run about once every 2 minutes for about 10 seconds. It sits in a 5 gallon
can dug into the basement floor. There is also a battery operated pump in the
sump which will run if the the pedestal sump either fails or the electricity
quits. I figure after 14 years, it is getting near the end of life. Any thoughts?

One part of me says you're right, it's getting old. The other part
of me tells me that if you replace it, what you get today will probably
not last nearly as long and many new products today fail after just a
few years.

The battery operated pump (Watchdog) is only a year old and it is hooked up to 3
deep cycle marine batteries. If the pedestal failed, the battery pump would keep
me going through the wet season and I could replace the pedestal at my convenience.

14 yrs is a good long life for a sump pump. But as long as you keep the
bottom filter/impeller clean, and oil; the motor, it could last a lot
more years. No sense replacing it till it fails.

What brand is it? That sounds like a reliable brand, worth buying....

wrote:
On Tue, 24 Jan 2017 18:55:18 -0500, Arnie Goetchius
wrote:

trader_4 wrote:
On Tuesday, January 24, 2017 at 6:30:24 PM UTC-5, Arnie Goetchius wrote:
I have a pedestal sump going on 14 years. I wonder how much longer it will run.
Typically, it runs 3-4 months a year between Dec and Apr. During heavy rain, it
will run about once every 2 minutes for about 10 seconds. It sits in a 5 gallon
can dug into the basement floor. There is also a battery operated pump in the
sump which will run if the the pedestal sump either fails or the electricity
quits. I figure after 14 years, it is getting near the end of life. Any thoughts?

One part of me says you're right, it's getting old. The other part
of me tells me that if you replace it, what you get today will probably
not last nearly as long and many new products today fail after just a
few years.

The battery operated pump (Watchdog) is only a year old and it is hooked up to 3
deep cycle marine batteries. If the pedestal failed, the battery pump would keep
me going through the wet season and I could replace the pedestal at my convenience.

14 yrs is a good long life for a sump pump. But as long as you keep the
bottom filter/impeller clean, and oil; the motor, it could last a lot
more years. No sense replacing it till it fails.

What brand is it? That sounds like a reliable brand, worth buying....

It is a Water Ace R3P. According to Flotec it is obsolete but they may have
parts. Reviews on Amazon are positive for the original versions but reviewers
suggested that later versions were not so good.

On Tue, 24 Jan 2017 19:41:19 -0500, Arnie Goetchius
wrote:

What brand is it? That sounds like a reliable brand, worth buying....

It is a Water Ace R3P. According to Flotec it is obsolete but they may have
parts. Reviews on Amazon are positive for the original versions but reviewers
suggested that later versions were not so good.

I never heard of that brand, but it sounds like it was made by Flotec.
(Flotec is still around). Why do they always stop producing the best
stuff????

On Tue, 24 Jan 2017 19:41:19 -0500, Arnie Goetchius
wrote:

wrote:
On Tue, 24 Jan 2017 18:55:18 -0500, Arnie Goetchius
wrote:

trader_4 wrote:
On Tuesday, January 24, 2017 at 6:30:24 PM UTC-5, Arnie Goetchius wrote:
I have a pedestal sump going on 14 years. I wonder how much longer it will run.
Typically, it runs 3-4 months a year between Dec and Apr. During heavy rain, it
will run about once every 2 minutes for about 10 seconds. It sits in a 5 gallon
can dug into the basement floor. There is also a battery operated pump in the
sump which will run if the the pedestal sump either fails or the electricity
quits. I figure after 14 years, it is getting near the end of life. Any thoughts?

One part of me says you're right, it's getting old. The other part
of me tells me that if you replace it, what you get today will probably
not last nearly as long and many new products today fail after just a
few years.

The battery operated pump (Watchdog) is only a year old and it is hooked up to 3
deep cycle marine batteries. If the pedestal failed, the battery pump would keep
me going through the wet season and I could replace the pedestal at my convenience.

14 yrs is a good long life for a sump pump. But as long as you keep the
bottom filter/impeller clean, and oil; the motor, it could last a lot
more years. No sense replacing it till it fails.

What brand is it? That sounds like a reliable brand, worth buying....

It is a Water Ace R3P. According to Flotec it is obsolete but they may have
parts. Reviews on Amazon are positive for the original versions but reviewers
suggested that later versions were not so good.
That's par for the course. The old one will outlast the one you
would buy as a replacement today.

On 1/24/2017 7:41 PM, Arnie Goetchius wrote:


It is a Water Ace R3P. According to Flotec it is obsolete but they may have
parts. Reviews on Amazon are positive for the original versions but reviewers
suggested that later versions were not so good.


Everything has been cheapened in recent years so that may be true.
Aside from age, any reason to suspect it is going to stop working? If
it does, how much time would you have before serious damage from water?
Room in the sump to set up a secondary?

On Tuesday, January 24, 2017 at 6:55:20 PM UTC-5, Arnie Goetchius wrote:
trader_4 wrote:
On Tuesday, January 24, 2017 at 6:30:24 PM UTC-5, Arnie Goetchius wrote:
I have a pedestal sump going on 14 years. I wonder how much longer it will run.
Typically, it runs 3-4 months a year between Dec and Apr. During heavy rain, it
will run about once every 2 minutes for about 10 seconds. It sits in a 5 gallon
can dug into the basement floor. There is also a battery operated pump in the
sump which will run if the the pedestal sump either fails or the electricity
quits. I figure after 14 years, it is getting near the end of life. Any thoughts?

One part of me says you're right, it's getting old. The other part
of me tells me that if you replace it, what you get today will probably
not last nearly as long and many new products today fail after just a
few years.

The battery operated pump (Watchdog) is only a year old and it is hooked up to 3
deep cycle marine batteries. If the pedestal failed, the battery pump would keep
me going through the wet season and I could replace the pedestal at my convenience.

If the battery pump can keep you safe long enough to get a new AC pump,
that would be good enough reason for me to keep doing what you're doing.
I'd have the battery pump set to come on at a higher level and also an
alarm set up to sound so that you know the primary pump has failed.
They have cheap $10 alarms for water heaters at HD and similar. May
be loud enough and work for your purpose.

On Tue, 24 Jan 2017 16:12:08 -0800 (PST), trader_4
wrote:

If the battery pump can keep you safe long enough to get a new AC pump,
that would be good enough reason for me to keep doing what you're doing.
I'd have the battery pump set to come on at a higher level and also an
alarm set up to sound so that you know the primary pump has failed.
They have cheap $10 alarms for water heaters at HD and similar. May
be loud enough and work for your purpose.

Why would you put an alarm on a water heater, and where does it connect?

On Tuesday, January 24, 2017 at 7:25:19 PM UTC-5, wrote:
On Tue, 24 Jan 2017 16:12:08 -0800 (PST), trader_4
wrote:

If the battery pump can keep you safe long enough to get a new AC pump,
that would be good enough reason for me to keep doing what you're doing.
I'd have the battery pump set to come on at a higher level and also an
alarm set up to sound so that you know the primary pump has failed.
They have cheap $10 alarms for water heaters at HD and similar. May
be loud enough and work for your purpose.

Why would you put an alarm on a water heater, and where does it connect?

You put it on the floor or in the safety drip pan that's under it,
if it has one. It's just a battery operated alarm, the size of a pack
of cigarettes, with two contacts on the bottom. If the WH starts to
leak, you know it before it does damage.

trader_4 wrote:
On Tuesday, January 24, 2017 at 6:55:20 PM UTC-5, Arnie Goetchius wrote:
trader_4 wrote:
On Tuesday, January 24, 2017 at 6:30:24 PM UTC-5, Arnie Goetchius wrote:
I have a pedestal sump going on 14 years. I wonder how much longer it will run.
Typically, it runs 3-4 months a year between Dec and Apr. During heavy rain, it
will run about once every 2 minutes for about 10 seconds. It sits in a 5 gallon
can dug into the basement floor. There is also a battery operated pump in the
sump which will run if the the pedestal sump either fails or the electricity
quits. I figure after 14 years, it is getting near the end of life. Any thoughts?

One part of me says you're right, it's getting old. The other part
of me tells me that if you replace it, what you get today will probably
not last nearly as long and many new products today fail after just a
few years.

The battery operated pump (Watchdog) is only a year old and it is hooked up to 3
deep cycle marine batteries. If the pedestal failed, the battery pump would keep
me going through the wet season and I could replace the pedestal at my convenience.

If the battery pump can keep you safe long enough to get a new AC pump,
that would be good enough reason for me to keep doing what you're doing.
I'd have the battery pump set to come on at a higher level and also an
alarm set up to sound so that you know the primary pump has failed.
They have cheap $10 alarms for water heaters at HD and similar. May
be loud enough and work for your purpose.

The Watchdog battery pump I have has a built in audible alarm as part of the
control panel. It sounds when it is running on battery but I can turn the alarm
on or off.

Arnie Goetchius posted for all of us...



trader_4 wrote:
On Tuesday, January 24, 2017 at 6:30:24 PM UTC-5, Arnie Goetchius wrote:
I have a pedestal sump going on 14 years. I wonder how much longer it will run.
Typically, it runs 3-4 months a year between Dec and Apr. During heavy rain, it
will run about once every 2 minutes for about 10 seconds. It sits in a 5 gallon
can dug into the basement floor. There is also a battery operated pump in the
sump which will run if the the pedestal sump either fails or the electricity
quits. I figure after 14 years, it is getting near the end of life. Any thoughts?

One part of me says you're right, it's getting old. The other part
of me tells me that if you replace it, what you get today will probably
not last nearly as long and many new products today fail after just a
few years.

The battery operated pump (Watchdog) is only a year old and it is hooked up to 3
deep cycle marine batteries. If the pedestal failed, the battery pump would keep
me going through the wet season and I could replace the pedestal at my convenience.

Why did you ask the question if you already had a solution in mind?

--
Tekkie

Tekkie® wrote:
Arnie Goetchius posted for all of us...



trader_4 wrote:
On Tuesday, January 24, 2017 at 6:30:24 PM UTC-5, Arnie Goetchius wrote:
I have a pedestal sump going on 14 years. I wonder how much longer it will run.
Typically, it runs 3-4 months a year between Dec and Apr. During heavy rain, it
will run about once every 2 minutes for about 10 seconds. It sits in a 5 gallon
can dug into the basement floor. There is also a battery operated pump in the
sump which will run if the the pedestal sump either fails or the electricity
quits. I figure after 14 years, it is getting near the end of life. Any thoughts?

One part of me says you're right, it's getting old. The other part
of me tells me that if you replace it, what you get today will probably
not last nearly as long and many new products today fail after just a
few years.

The battery operated pump (Watchdog) is only a year old and it is hooked up to 3
deep cycle marine batteries. If the pedestal failed, the battery pump would keep
me going through the wet season and I could replace the pedestal at my convenience.

Why did you ask the question if you already had a solution in mind?

Just trying to get an idea of how long the current pedestal will last

On Thu, 26 Jan 2017 17:04:26 -0500, Arnie Goetchius
wrote:

Tekkie® wrote:
Arnie Goetchius posted for all of us...



trader_4 wrote:
On Tuesday, January 24, 2017 at 6:30:24 PM UTC-5, Arnie Goetchius wrote:
I have a pedestal sump going on 14 years. I wonder how much longer it will run.
Typically, it runs 3-4 months a year between Dec and Apr. During heavy rain, it
will run about once every 2 minutes for about 10 seconds. It sits in a 5 gallon
can dug into the basement floor. There is also a battery operated pump in the
sump which will run if the the pedestal sump either fails or the electricity
quits. I figure after 14 years, it is getting near the end of life. Any thoughts?

One part of me says you're right, it's getting old. The other part
of me tells me that if you replace it, what you get today will probably
not last nearly as long and many new products today fail after just a
few years.

The battery operated pump (Watchdog) is only a year old and it is hooked up to 3
deep cycle marine batteries. If the pedestal failed, the battery pump would keep
me going through the wet season and I could replace the pedestal at my convenience.

Why did you ask the question if you already had a solution in mind?

Just trying to get an idea of how long the current pedestal will last
Anywhere between about 5 seconds and another 20 years, give or take.

That's about as close as you are going to get.

On Thu, 26 Jan 2017 17:04:26 -0500, Arnie Goetchius
wrote:


Why did you ask the question if you already had a solution in mind?

Just trying to get an idea of how long the current pedestal will last

You'll never know, until it's dead....

No one can answer a question like that. How long will YOU live? Can you
answer that????

On Tue, 24 Jan 2017 18:30:22 -0500, Arnie Goetchius
wrote:

I have a pedestal sump going on 14 years. I wonder how much longer it will run.
Typically, it runs 3-4 months a year between Dec and Apr. During heavy rain, it
will run about once every 2 minutes for about 10 seconds. It sits in a 5 gallon
can dug into the basement floor. There is also a battery operated pump in the
sump which will run if the the pedestal sump either fails or the electricity
quits. I figure after 14 years, it is getting near the end of life. Any thoughts?
I've seen them go over 20 - and others fail in 5 or 6. It depends a
lot on the construction/quality. When the bottom rusts off they are
pretty well done.. If the impeller lets go it's done. Sometimes it's
the motor that fails, or the switch - - -

On Tuesday, January 24, 2017 at 5:30:24 PM UTC-6, Arnie Goetchius wrote:
I have a pedestal sump going on 14 years. I wonder how much longer it will run.
Typically, it runs 3-4 months a year between Dec and Apr. During heavy rain, it
will run about once every 2 minutes for about 10 seconds. It sits in a 5 gallon
can dug into the basement floor. There is also a battery operated pump in the
sump which will run if the the pedestal sump either fails or the electricity
quits. I figure after 14 years, it is getting near the end of life. Any thoughts?

There are a couple of electric motor repair/rewind shops in town that also repair and rebuild pumps of all types. If you have a pump shop in town, you might call them and ask what the cost of installing new bearings in your pump would be. The pump shops check the insulation of the motor windings to make sure it's worth rebuilding the pump. If the insulation on the motor windings has deteriorated, it's less expensive to replace the pump. It would be best to ask the experts at the pump shop what works best for your situation. ヽ(ヅ)ノ

[8~{} Uncle Pumped Monster

On Tue, 24 Jan 2017 18:30:22 -0500, Arnie Goetchius
wrote:

I have a pedestal sump going on 14 years. I wonder how much longer it will run.
Typically, it runs 3-4 months a year between Dec and Apr. During heavy rain, it
will run about once every 2 minutes for about 10 seconds. It sits in a 5 gallon
can dug into the basement floor. There is also a battery operated pump in the
sump which will run if the the pedestal sump either fails or the electricity
quits. I figure after 14 years, it is getting near the end of life. Any thoughts?

The pedestal pump on my sewer ejection system was still pumping after
50 years. I had it replaced it because I didn't want to push my luck.
I goes on about 10-20 times a day for about 10 seconds and will run
almost constantly during heavy rain.

On 01/24/2017 06:30 PM, Arnie Goetchius wrote:
I have a pedestal sump going on 14 years. I wonder how much longer it will run.
Typically, it runs 3-4 months a year between Dec and Apr. During heavy rain, it
will run about once every 2 minutes for about 10 seconds. It sits in a 5 gallon
can dug into the basement floor. There is also a battery operated pump in the
sump which will run if the the pedestal sump either fails or the electricity
quits. I figure after 14 years, it is getting near the end of life. Any thoughts?



A 14-year-old pump would have been manufactured during the Dubya years so it's prolly a good honest hard-working pump.

being a frugal guy and not finding little giant pond pumps quite adequate to provide suffieicent water flow for my pond, i use sump pumps for my pond. On a timer they run about 9 hrs a day in the summer.

Experienced life....about 1 year.

Cause of failure? one main issue....

Firstly the units are sealed, so they don't get water in the 'lectrics, but they do inevitably fail tripping the GFI. The Princess auto pumps have typically plastic bushings, and they wear out. goodby to water tightness....hello failure

Well, they don't make em like they used to. The upside is that they typically come with a one year warranty

With a 14 years under yer belt, I would suggest leaving it in place, getting a water alarm, and having a replacement pump at hand or even "piggybacked" in the same drainage can?????.

Just my though

Eric

Eric

On Wed, 25 Jan 2017 18:38:43 -0800 (PST), wrote:

being a frugal guy and not finding little giant pond pumps quite adequate to provide suffieicent water flow for my pond, i use sump pumps for my pond. On a timer they run about 9 hrs a day in the summer.

Experienced life....about 1 year.

Cause of failure? one main issue....

Firstly the units are sealed, so they don't get water in the 'lectrics, but they do inevitably fail tripping the GFI. The Princess auto pumps have typically plastic bushings, and they wear out. goodby to water tightness....hello failure

Well, they don't make em like they used to. The upside is that they typically come with a one year warranty

With a 14 years under yer belt, I would suggest leaving it in place, getting a water alarm, and having a replacement pump at hand or even "piggybacked" in the same drainage can?????.

Just my though

Eric

Eric
The OP already has a battery operated backup pump installed

On 1/24/17 5:30 PM, Arnie Goetchius wrote:
I have a pedestal sump going on 14 years. I wonder how much longer it will run.
Typically, it runs 3-4 months a year between Dec and Apr. During heavy rain, it
will run about once every 2 minutes for about 10 seconds. It sits in a 5 gallon
can dug into the basement floor. There is also a battery operated pump in the
sump which will run if the the pedestal sump either fails or the electricity
quits. I figure after 14 years, it is getting near the end of life. Any thoughts?

Do you have maintenance chargers on the batteries?

Dean Hoffman wrote:
On 1/24/17 5:30 PM, Arnie Goetchius wrote:
I have a pedestal sump going on 14 years. I wonder how much longer it will run.
Typically, it runs 3-4 months a year between Dec and Apr. During heavy rain, it
will run about once every 2 minutes for about 10 seconds. It sits in a 5 gallon
can dug into the basement floor. There is also a battery operated pump in the
sump which will run if the the pedestal sump either fails or the electricity
quits. I figure after 14 years, it is getting near the end of life. Any thoughts?

Do you have maintenance chargers on the batteries?

Yes, I use a Deltran Battery Tender for the 4 months that I need the sump. I
also have a 50 ft cord that I can connect to my car in the garage if the power
is out for more than 1-2 days.

After about May, I disconnect the charger because the sump will be dry until the
next November-Decmber. At that time, I connect the charger back up. After a full
charge, I test the batteries with a Dactron battery load tester and replace any
battery that does not pass the test. I've been getting 5-7 years on the batteries.

On Saturday, February 4, 2017 at 10:41:33 PM UTC-5, Arnie Goetchius wrote:
Dean Hoffman wrote:
On 1/24/17 5:30 PM, Arnie Goetchius wrote:
I have a pedestal sump going on 14 years. I wonder how much longer it will run.
Typically, it runs 3-4 months a year between Dec and Apr. During heavy rain, it
will run about once every 2 minutes for about 10 seconds. It sits in a 5 gallon
can dug into the basement floor. There is also a battery operated pump in the
sump which will run if the the pedestal sump either fails or the electricity
quits. I figure after 14 years, it is getting near the end of life. Any thoughts?

Do you have maintenance chargers on the batteries?

Yes, I use a Deltran Battery Tender for the 4 months that I need the sump. I
also have a 50 ft cord that I can connect to my car in the garage if the power
is out for more than 1-2 days.

After about May, I disconnect the charger because the sump will be dry until the
next November-Decmber. At that time, I connect the charger back up. After a full
charge, I test the batteries with a Dactron battery load tester and replace any
battery that does not pass the test. I've been getting 5-7 years on the batteries.

The battery tender should be on the batteries even when they
are not being used. In fact, that's my main use for a battery
tender. I pulled the batteries out of my boat for the winter,
put them in the garage on a tender. Same thing with motorcycle
batteries. Lead acid batteries self-discharge over time and
a battery that's kept at less than full charge will not last
as long.

trader_4 wrote:
On Saturday, February 4, 2017 at 10:41:33 PM UTC-5, Arnie Goetchius wrote:
Dean Hoffman wrote:
On 1/24/17 5:30 PM, Arnie Goetchius wrote:
I have a pedestal sump going on 14 years. I wonder how much longer it will run.
Typically, it runs 3-4 months a year between Dec and Apr. During heavy rain, it
will run about once every 2 minutes for about 10 seconds. It sits in a 5 gallon
can dug into the basement floor. There is also a battery operated pump in the
sump which will run if the the pedestal sump either fails or the electricity
quits. I figure after 14 years, it is getting near the end of life. Any thoughts?

Do you have maintenance chargers on the batteries?

Yes, I use a Deltran Battery Tender for the 4 months that I need the sump. I
also have a 50 ft cord that I can connect to my car in the garage if the power
is out for more than 1-2 days.

After about May, I disconnect the charger because the sump will be dry until the
next November-Decmber. At that time, I connect the charger back up. After a full
charge, I test the batteries with a Dactron battery load tester and replace any
battery that does not pass the test. I've been getting 5-7 years on the batteries.

The battery tender should be on the batteries even when they
are not being used. In fact, that's my main use for a battery
tender. I pulled the batteries out of my boat for the winter,
put them in the garage on a tender. Same thing with motorcycle
batteries. Lead acid batteries self-discharge over time and
a battery that's kept at less than full charge will not last
as long.

Thanks for the tip. I did not realize that and will now leave the battery tender
on all year around.

The backup battery charger is IMPORTANT!!!