SUMPRO Gold By iON Products Complete Battery Backup System (5000 GPH @ 10')

The SUMPRO is an excellent product for homeowners looking for a reasonable alternative to reliable backup power (for the sump pump primarily, but also for other things) that doesn't cost an arm-and-a-leg or require a clumsy generator or refills of propane tanks. The only maintenance needed for it is to check every 5-7 years that the marine batteries (two) are still holding their charge, and if not, to replace them.

I keep mine in the basement where of course the sump pump is hooked up to it. It has already activated once or twice during local power outages to keep the sump pump running. This is especially critical during heavy rains when the pump turns on every minute or two. But the device has two outlets, so you can easily run an extension cord elsewhere in the house and power whatever else you want (up to 1500W or so), such as a TV, computer, or a few lights, if the house is without power for an extended time. Even the refrigerator for a few minutes to keep things cold. Or perhaps more important, some critical medical equipment that might be needed.

A key design feature of the SUMPRO, unlike the "cheaper" unit I had earlier, is that it has a pass-thru power path, which works even if the marine batteries are dead. In other words, the sump will run on house power even if the batteries are dead. I learned this lesson the hard way last year when we had a lot of rain, but the backup power unit sat there like a brick, dead as a doornail. And the sump pump, plugged into it, also sat dormant as the water rose out of the sump pit and onto the basement floor. When I unplugged the pump from the brick and into the wall (the house power was on), it started up and emptied the basement in just a minute or two. Needless to say, that was the end of the "brick", and I understand the manufacturer is out of business!

SUMPRO a breeze to hook up (buy the batteries with the package and the support table, since when everything is together, it's very heavy). When I first started it up, coincidentally we lost neighborhood power within a few seconds of my plugging it in the first time. The wife said "what did you do?" I said, "Nothing!" The unit blinked and switched its red light on (as it should have) and purred along. After a few seconds of standing in the dark, I grabbed a nearby lamp and plugged it into the SUMPRO and poof, we had light. It was the only light working in the house - and the neighborhood - for about an hour! Thereafter, I was a committed fan.