I'm using a submersible sump pump with an additional float switch, and I want to keep track of its total run time. My pump (Utilitech 0955647) has a life expectancy of 4500 hours. Are there any budget-friendly accessories out there that can log how long the float switch is powering the pump? I'm looking to replace the pump before reaching that 4500-hour mark to avoid any overflow disasters. I'm also considering a dual system with a battery backup, but I still need a way to track the runtime hours. Thanks!
3 Answers
There are plenty of smart plugs out there that can track power usage. If you know how much energy your pump consumes, you could figure out the estimated runtime. Just a heads-up: the pump uses more power when starting up than when running normally, but this shouldn’t mess with your calculations too much.
Honestly, those Utilitech pumps aren’t the best and might only last you a year or two. Switching to a Zoeller M53 could be a better long-term solution. You could also consider getting a high water alarm so you’re covered if your pump does fail. Although battery backups sound great, they can take up a lot of space and need regular maintenance.
You might want to check out the Kill-a-Watt meter. It measures power use, and while it might not directly log runtime, you can calculate the pump's usage hours based on energy consumption. Just keep an eye on it and do a bit of math!
That makes a lot of sense! I actually do something similar with my dehumidifier, keeping the older one as a backup that kicks in when I need it. Do you think a backup pump would deteriorate if it just sits there for a while?