Watchdog Sump Alarm Malfunctions
#1
12-11-13, 03:03 PM
Watchdog Sump Alarm Malfunctions
I have a couple of these cheap-o watchdog alarms
Basement Watchdog Battery Operated Backup Sump Pumps Home Page
Ive been getting false alarms. I think once they get wet, they dont function properly again. FOr example one got splash on it from my sump pit, I assume since the alarm was going off. Once I dry it, it will not stop until I remove battery for some time.
After awhile it stops and I install it back halfway down my pit. Over time the alarm starts going off, a real soft whine at first and then builds up louder. If I pull it from the sump-pit (its hasnt been wet this time) it stops!!!
I have no idea why this is occuring... its not getting wet. And its only going off when dangling in the sump pit (not wet or submurged), once I pull it out, it stops!!! ..... This is the second one doing this.
Anyone have any exeperience with these? Why is my dry sumppit causing these things to chatter?
Basement Watchdog Battery Operated Backup Sump Pumps Home Page
Ive been getting false alarms. I think once they get wet, they dont function properly again. FOr example one got splash on it from my sump pit, I assume since the alarm was going off. Once I dry it, it will not stop until I remove battery for some time.
After awhile it stops and I install it back halfway down my pit. Over time the alarm starts going off, a real soft whine at first and then builds up louder. If I pull it from the sump-pit (its hasnt been wet this time) it stops!!!
I have no idea why this is occuring... its not getting wet. And its only going off when dangling in the sump pit (not wet or submurged), once I pull it out, it stops!!! ..... This is the second one doing this.
Anyone have any exeperience with these? Why is my dry sumppit causing these things to chatter?
#2
12-11-13, 09:22 PM
Group Moderator
Your "dry" sump pit probably has high humidity in it. I read the instructions that came with those units and it says it can be put down into the pit but I've never seen any inside a pit before.
Usually the pickup is on the floor just outside the pit area.
You can clean that contact plate with alcohol to keep it clean. Any moisture and it's going to sound.
Usually the pickup is on the floor just outside the pit area.
You can clean that contact plate with alcohol to keep it clean. Any moisture and it's going to sound.
#3
12-12-13, 05:20 AM
Thats what I dont understand. How does humidity or being in proximity of water would complete the circuit, causing it to alarm?
Theres two nicad battery sized terminal on the bottom of the sensor. Both need to be submerged or touched by a conductor to sound.
I could place it there but that gives me significantly less time to go into action if the pump fails (knock on wood that doesnt happen). P.S.- I dont have a battery backup system... because I own a generator. Is this a bad idea too?
Theres two nicad battery sized terminal on the bottom of the sensor. Both need to be submerged or touched by a conductor to sound.
Usually the pickup is on the floor just outside the pit area
#4
12-12-13, 11:24 AM
Group Moderator
No.... the water detector is a great idea. Wether or not you have battery back up..... you'd want to know if the pit was flooding.
I've used similar alarms to yours but have just sat them on the floor. For sump pit applications I use a float switch. You could add a float switch to your sensor instead of the two probes.
These floats are similar to what is used in a condensate pump for an air conditioning air handler.
Float Switch
I've used similar alarms to yours but have just sat them on the floor. For sump pit applications I use a float switch. You could add a float switch to your sensor instead of the two probes.
These floats are similar to what is used in a condensate pump for an air conditioning air handler.
Float Switch
#5
12-12-13, 01:05 PM
A float switch with an alarm might be ideal for my situation. Im thinking it would mount above my pump on the 1 1/2" pvc.
I have a water sofetner dumping its backwash into the sump. I think splash from that caused the nuissance alarm with the conductor alarms.
What type of alarm would I use with the float switch? Powered by a 9v I assume, loud enough to be heard from basement.
I saw some nice float switch/alarm combos online, to the tune of 150 bucks. They looked great if I could afford that.... Im looking for something I can put together for less than 20 bucks.
I have a water sofetner dumping its backwash into the sump. I think splash from that caused the nuissance alarm with the conductor alarms.
What type of alarm would I use with the float switch? Powered by a 9v I assume, loud enough to be heard from basement.
I saw some nice float switch/alarm combos online, to the tune of 150 bucks. They looked great if I could afford that.... Im looking for something I can put together for less than 20 bucks.
Last edited by rards; 12-12-13 at 02:04 PM.
#6
12-12-13, 02:06 PM
Group Moderator
You can use the same alarm you have. Just splice the wires from the float switch to the two wires that were on the pickup block. The wiring connections need to be high enough so that they don't get wet. This would be a good place to use shrink tubing.
You'll have to mount the float switch in the direction where the alarm is silent with no water in the pit.
You'll have to mount the float switch in the direction where the alarm is silent with no water in the pit.
#7
12-12-13, 04:25 PM
Of course use the old ones....
I still cant see how humidity is causing the false alarms... I think I must have an intermittent short or they are water logged or something.
THe thing is with the water softener going when it goes thru its cycle twice a week its dumping a ton of water in the pit.... the pump goes off 10-15 times in a hour and half time frame. I think I have gotten lucky up until now and splashback just happen to hit the alarm just right?? (In this case it was 4 oclock in the morning!!!!)
The float switch idea is great so the softener can soak it all it wants and it wont go off!~!~!
Do you think its a bad idea I have the softener dumping into my sump? Unfortunetly to get it into the drain means it would have to travel up about 3 feet.... I dont think the softener would be able to push it out of the basement.
I still cant see how humidity is causing the false alarms... I think I must have an intermittent short or they are water logged or something.
THe thing is with the water softener going when it goes thru its cycle twice a week its dumping a ton of water in the pit.... the pump goes off 10-15 times in a hour and half time frame. I think I have gotten lucky up until now and splashback just happen to hit the alarm just right?? (In this case it was 4 oclock in the morning!!!!)
The float switch idea is great so the softener can soak it all it wants and it wont go off!~!~!
Do you think its a bad idea I have the softener dumping into my sump? Unfortunetly to get it into the drain means it would have to travel up about 3 feet.... I dont think the softener would be able to push it out of the basement.
#8
12-12-13, 10:39 PM
Group Moderator
I've seen drain lines from softeners go from unit, up to the ceiling and then all the way across the basement. So lifting three feet shouldn't be an issue.
