Sump Pump Battery Backup Beeping

Sump pump battery backups are power converter/control systems that are wall-mountable. They are used in conjunction with a battery or battery bank.

This kind of system enables the main pump to effortlessly continue operating at full capacity in the event of a power outage. This means that the battery backup does not replace the main power supply to the pump in the event of failure.

Physical breakdowns and mechanical failure are highly improbable thanks to the toughness and longevity of today’s sump pumps and constant inspection and maintenance. With the right maintenance, your sump pump system should survive for around ten years.

A battery backup system for your sump pump is essential to ensuring that your home will be shielded from water damage. Power outages are more frequently to blame for sump pump failure [1].

When utility power is unavailable, such as during a thunderstorm, battery backup systems can be relied upon to keep your pump running.

The sound of a sump pump battery backup beeping can be frustrating. Even more annoying is the inability to stop the loud beeping without entirely disassembling the backup system.

Sump pump battery backup beeping can result from a variety of factors. These include:

• Loose Wire Connections
• Dead or Dying Battery
• Power Outage
• Circuit board fault

Causes and Fixes for Sump Pump Battery Backup Beeping

1. Loose Wire Connections

You should ensure that all wire connections are secure and tight. The positive wire (red) should be connected to the positive terminal of the battery. The negative wire (black) should be connected to the negative terminal.

Also, ensure that the switch and the pump are both securely attached to the battery box’s control unit. You also need to inspect the terminals.

Corrosion could cause loose connections, resulting in the control box emitting the incorrect signal. Clean the terminals to prevent these problems [2].

2. Dead or Dying Battery

A beeping sound coming from the control box and a flashing red light indicate that the battery needs to be replaced. In other words, you need to examine the condition of the battery. The alarm is also bound to sound if the battery is running low on power.

Before you rush to buy a new battery, consider taking these actions to make sure your old battery isn’t still capable of holding a charge. Every month, you should check the battery’s condition.

The first step in checking the battery is to remove the wall charger from the power source. Secondly, check the electrolyte level. If necessary, top it off per the manufacturer’s instructions.

Fortunately, there are several battery backup manufacturers, like Basement Watchdog, that incorporate a sensor just for the battery fluid levels.

The most typical battery type for backup sump pumps is a wet-cell battery [3]. This battery requires routine maintenance to keep the distilled water in each battery cell at a constant level. If you don’t do this, once too much water has evaporated, the alarm will go off.

Naturally, a hydrometer must be used to monitor each cell’s charge. If the specific gravity is 1.265, then the battery is fully charged. The battery needs to be replaced if the specific gravity of any of the cells varies by more than 0.05. [4]

Thirdly, make sure the clamps and terminals are tight and free of corrosion. Clean the terminals and tighten them if necessary.

The fourth step is to unhook the main pump and fill the sump with water until the sump pump battery backup turns on. To ensure the pump is working properly, repeat this procedure twice.

To determine whether the primary pump is functioning regularly or not, turn it on and plug the charger into a wall socket.

Sometimes the battery is functioning normally, but it isn’t getting enough power to recharge fully. To make sure the power supply is working properly, check the trickle charger for the battery, the electrical outlet, the fuse, and the circuit breaker. Utilize a different outlet or attempt to reset the circuit breaker.

Related: Water Powered Backup Sump Pump vs Battery

3. Power Outage

In the event of power failure, the battery powering your backup pump allows it to run continuously for 6 to 8 hours. You often have up to 24 hours of protection until the power comes back on using just one battery pack because pumps typically only work for about a third of the time.

The sump pump battery backup may temporarily sound the alarm if you recently experienced a power outage while it was running. This will happen until power is restored and the alarm can be reset. Some battery backup systems contain a button to reset the alarm for 24 hours if this is the case.

Consider replacing sump pump batteries every 3 years to guarantee a full backup system in the event of power failure. Use the battery type that your pump’s manufacturer has advised. Car and marine batteries are not intended for this application. Sump pump batteries typically cost more than car batteries.

4. Low Battery Voltage

The cause of the control box’s beeping noise is a low floating voltage. Measure the floating voltage between the battery’s positive and negative terminals. A multimeter or voltmeter can be used to perform this. [5]

The voltage on a typical 12-volt battery should be around 13.5 volts when the battery’s trickle charger is plugged in. You might have a trickle charger issue if it’s lower than that.

After that, unplug the battery charger and give it some time to cool. Check the voltage once more. Now, the voltage should be between 12.3 and 13.2 volts. If it’s any lower, your battery is no longer capable of retaining a full charge and needs to be changed immediately.

Finally, while the pump is running, you should test the battery. In this instance, the voltage must be greater than 12.1 volts and in no way less than 11.6 volts [6].

5. Faulty Circuit Board

Unfortunately, there are situations when the circuit board has failed and the device just has bad circuits. Such electronic components can and will ultimately fail, just as many contemporary kitchen appliances that today rely on affordable circuit boards. [7]

If this is the case with your backup, there is nothing you can do to resolve the issue other than installing a new system.

How to Reset the Sump Pump Battery Backup Alarm

Some Sump Pump Battery Backups have a reset button on the device. The device will refresh if the reset button is pressed for at least one second.

Simply unplug your sump pump from the power source if it lacks a reset button. If necessary, remove the sump pump from the pit and clean it. After that, put the sump pump back into its basin. Finally, turn on the device again to restart your sump pump.

Read Also: Best Battery Backup for Existing Sump Pump

Conclusion

Each time the sump pump is turned on, a three-second tone will be heard, which is normal. However, there is a problem with the system if you hear beeping or other unpleasant noises.

The beeping sound might be due to loose wire connections, dead or dying batteries, power outages, circuit board faults, and low battery voltage.

To fix the problem, you can use the aforementioned troubleshooting methods. If the issue still exists after using these suggestions, it might be best to consult a professional.

A sump pump backup battery typically lasts between 3 and 5 years. Therefore, it is advised to change the battery every three years to maintain the functionality of the entire system.

Read Next: Sump Pump Maintenance Tips