Basement Watchdog Big Combo User Manual
Instruction Manual &
Safety Warnings
Combination Primary and
Backup Sump Pump System
Table of Contents
Important Safety Warnings and
Instructions
Electrical precautions 1
Battery preparation 1
Battery precautions 1
Introduction
Items included in system 2
Additional items needed 2
System specifications 2
Installing the Pipe and Pump 3
Preparing the Battery 4,5
Battery Instructions 5
System Connections
Mounting the backup control unit 5
Connecting the backup pump 5
Installing the battery fluid sensor 5
Connecting the battery 6
Connecting the charger 6
Connecting the primary pump 6
Product Operation 6
This manual is for the systems that have the BWSP-A backup controller, which
can accommodate maintenance or maintenance free batteries. See pages 2-6
for additional information.
Understanding the Warning
Lights and Alarms
Silencing the alarm during
an emergency 6
Battery alarm 7
Cleaning the battery terminals 7
Replacing the battery 8
Fuse alarm 9
Water alarm 9
Pump alarm 10
Replacing the backup pump 10
Replacing the primary pump 10
Power alarm 11
Charging 12
System operating 12
Testing the System
Test-Reset-Silence button 12
Testing the float switches 12
Maintenance Check List 12
Parts & Service Information
Technical support 12
Replacement Parts Diagram & List 13
Troubleshooting Guide 14
Warranty 15
IMPORTANT: Even if you have the Basement Watchdog sump pump system installed by
someone else, you must read and follow the safety information contained in this manual.
Failure to do so could result in property damage, serious injury, or death.
Important Safety
Warnings & Instructions
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS. This manual
contains important SAFETY WARNINGS and
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS for the Basement
Watchdog combination sump pump system. You
will need to refer to it before attempting any
installation or maintenance. ALWAYS keep these
instructions with the unit so that they will be
easily accessible.
Failure to read and follow these warnings and
instructions could result in property damage,
serious injury, or death. It is important to read
this manual, even if you did not install the
Basement Watchdog combination sump pump,
since this manual contains safety information
regarding the use and maintenance of this
product. DO NOT DISCARD THIS MANUAL.
ELECTRICAL PRECAUTIONS
DANGER
!
Risk of electrical shock and fire hazard. May
result in death serious injury, shock or
burns. To help reduce these risks, observe
the following precautions:
• DO NOT walk on wet areas of the basement
until all power has been turned off. If the
main power supply is in a wet basement, call
an electrician.
• ALWAYS disconnect the pumps from the power
source before servicing or making adjustments.
• ALWAYS unplug the control units and
disconnect the cables from the battery before
attempting any maintenance or cleaning.
• NEVER handle the pump or motor with wet
hands or when standing on a wet or damp
surface while the pump is plugged into the
power source.
• MAKE SURE THERE IS A PROPERLY
GROUNDED RECEPTACLE AVAILABLE. This
pump is wired with a 3-prong grounded plug.
To reduce the risk of electric shock, be certain
that it is only connected to a properly
grounded 3-prong receptacle. If you have a 2prong receptacle, have a licensed electrician
replace it with a 3-prong receptacle according
to local codes and ordinances.
• NEVER bypass grounding wires or remove the
ground prong from the plug.
• DO NOT use an extension cord. The electrical
outlet should be within the length of the
pump's power cord, and at least 4 feet above
the floor level to minimize potential hazards
from flood conditions.
• DO protect the electrical cord from sharp
objects, hot surfaces, oil and chemicals. Avoid
kinking the cord.
• MAKE SURE the supply circuit has a fuse or
circuit breaker rated to handle the power
requirements noted on the nameplate of the
pump.
CAUTION
To reduce the risk of hazards that can cause
injury or property damage, observe the
following precautions:
• DO NOT use the power cord or strain relief to
carry the pumps. Use the handle.
• DO NOT pull on the cord to disconnect the
system or the pump. Pull the plug.
• DO NOT expose the control units to rain or
snow.
• DO NOT operate the pumps or control units if
they have been damaged in any way.
• DO NOT use pumps in pits handling raw
sewage, salt water, or hazardous liquids.
• DO NOT disassemble the pumps or control
units. When service is required, contact
Glentronics' technical support at 800-9910466, option 3. Return the product to the
manufacturer for any repairs at the following
address:
Glentronics, Inc.
645 Heathrow Drive, Lincolnshire, IL 60069
BATTERY PREPARATION
WARNING / POISON
!
Sulfuric acid can cause blindness or severe
burns. Avoid contact with skin, eyes or
clothing. In the event of accident, flush
with water and call a physician immediately.
KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.
To help reduce these risks, observe the
following precautions:
• Someone should be within range of your voice
or close enough to come to your aid when you
work near a lead-acid battery.
• Have plenty of fresh water and soap nearby in
case battery acid contacts skin, clothing or eyes.
• Wear eye and clothing protection and avoid
touching your eyes while working with battery
acid or working near the battery.
• If battery acid contacts skin or clothing, wash
immediately with soap and water. If acid
enters eye, immediately flood eye with running cold water for at least 15 minutes and get
medical attention.
• Battery posts and terminals contain lead and
lead compounds, chemicals known to the State
of California to cause cancer and reproductive
harm. Wash hands after handling.
BATTERY PRECAUTIONS
DANGER
!
Explosive gases could cause serious injury
or death. Cigarettes, flames or sparks could
cause battery to explode in enclosed spaces.
Charge in well-ventilated area. Always
shield eyes and face from battery. Keep
vent caps tight and level.
To help reduce these risks, observe the
following precautions:
• NEVER smoke or allow a spark or flame in the
vicinity of the battery.
• Use the Basement Watchdog control unit for
charging a LEAD-ACID battery only. DO NOT
use the control unit for charging dry-cell
batteries that are most commonly used with
home appliances.
• Be sure the area around the battery is wellventilated.
• When cleaning or adding water to the battery,
first fan the top of the battery with a piece of
cardboard or another non-metallic
blow away any hydrogen or oxygen gas that
may have been emitted from the battery.
material to
• DO NOT drop a metal tool onto the battery. It
might spark or short-circuit the battery and
cause an explosion.
• Remove personal metal items such as rings,
bracelets, watches, etc. when working with a
lead-acid battery. A short circuit through one of
these items can melt it causing a severe burn.
• ALWAYS remove the charger from the electrical
outlet before connecting or disconnecting the
battery cables. Never allow the rings to touch
each other.
• Check the polarity of the battery posts. The
POSITIVE (+) battery post usually has a larger
diameter than the NEGATIVE (-) post.
POSITIVE POST HAS
LARGER DIAMETER
• When connecting the battery cables, first
connect the small ring on the end of the
BLACK wire to the NEGATIVE (-) post of the
battery, and then connect the large ring on
end of the RED wire to the POSITIVE (+) post
of the battery.
POSITIVE
POST
Do not use system to pump flammable or
explosive fluids such as gasoline, fuel oil,
kerosene, etc.
NEGATIVE POST HAS
SMALLER DIAMETER
DANGER
!
NEGATIVE
POST
Page 1
Introduction
The Basement Watchdog combination sump pump
system is designed to provide both primary and
backup pumping capabilities. The primary pump
will operate as long as it is receiving AC power. If
the power is interrupted, or more water is coming
into the sump than the AC pump can handle, the
backup sump pump will begin pumping
automatically. The backup system has unique
monitoring features that diagnose a problem and
sound an alarm. A light on the display panel of
the control unit will indicate the cause of the
alarm and the corrective action. The two systems
have been pre-assembled for easy installation.
For added reliability, the float switches have, not
one, but two floats. Should one float fail to
operate, the second float automatically activates
the pump.
The Basement Watchdog
Sump Pump System includes:
A 1/2 HP primary pump with a caged dual
float switch, and a blue piggyback controller
that plugs into the wall outlet
A black backup pump supported by a bracket
A black control unit for the backup pump with
a battery fluid sensor, a dual float switch, and
battery cables
Two cable ties to secure the wires to the
discharge pipe
A battery cap with a hole to accommodate
the fluid sensor
A battery charger
A rubber union
You will also need to supply:
A Basement Watchdog 7.5
Hour Battery*
Six quarts of 1.265 specific gravity
battery acid
*Basement Watchdog standby
batteries are specifically designed
to work with your battery backup
sump pump system. Glentronics
can not guarantee the
compatibility of other brands of
batteries. For optimal performance
the use of a Basement Watchdog
standby battery is recommended.
Battery
Charger
Battery
Box
Battery Cables
Backup Pump
Controller
Fluid Sensor
Battery Cap
For some installations you may also
need additional items:
1-1/2” rigid PVC
pipe
A 1-1/2” PVC pipe
connector or a
1-1/2” rubber union
PVC pipe cleaner
and cement
Backup
Pump
Cable Ties
Backup Pump
Float Switch
Primary Pump
Float Switch
Rubber
Union
Primary
Pump
Primary Pump
Controller
System Specifications
Power supply requirements . . . . 115 volts, 60 Hz
AC pump pumping capacity . . . 3200 GPH @ 10’
DC pump pumping capacity . . . 1730 GPH @ 10’
Overall dimensions. . . . . . . . . . 11” W x 18” H
Pump housings and strainers . . . . . . . . . . . . .
• Primary - Cast iron/cast aluminum housing
with non-corrosive strainer
• Backup - Non-corrosive housing and strainer
Page 2
Installing the Pipe and Pump
PRIMARY
PUMP
WIRE
PRIMARY
FLOAT
WIRE
BATTERY
BOX
DRAIN TILE
AC OUTLET
BACKUP
PUMP
CHARGER
PRIMARY
PUMP
CONTROLLER
BACKUP PUMP
FLOAT SWITCH
BACKUP
PUMP
PRIMARY PUMP
FLOA T SWITCH
PRIMARY
PUMP
BACKUP PUMP
CONTROLLER
BACKUP
PUMP
WIRE
BACKUP
FLOAT
WIRE
CABLE TIE
CABLE TIE
RUBBER
UNION
SUMP PIT COVER
FLOOR
JOIST
SLOPE
PIPE
DOWN
END OF
PIPE
19”
CUT
PVC TO
THIS
LENGTH
The Basement Watchdog combination system is
compact and will fit in a sump pit as small as
12” wide and 14” high (the size of a 5 gallon
bucket). It measures 18“ inches from the
bottom of the pump to the top of the Yconnector where it will be attached to the
discharge pipe.
Use a pit that
conforms to all local
codes, and check the
code to see if a gate
valve or ball valve is
required.
The path of the
existing vertical
discharge pipe to an
exterior wall should
have the shortest path with the fewest turns.
The more turns will reduce the pumping capacity.
The horizontal discharge pipe must be
positioned in a downward slope when it exits the
building, so any remaining water will drain away.
Failure to do this will prevent water from exiting
the pit and damage the pump if the line freezes.
(see Diagram A)
The system should be placed on a flat surface
Diagram A
Page 3
18“
free from dirt and debris. If the bottom of the
sump pit is not clean, remove as much of the
debris as possible. You may place a pump stand
or bricks on the floor of the sump pit to raise the
pump above the debris.
If you are replacing an old sump pump, unplug
the pump from the outlet.
1. Remove the check valve or rubber union.
Discard the check valve. The Basement
Watchdog system contains built-in check
valves, so the old valve will not be needed.
If the existing system is installed without a
check valve or rubber union, saw the pipe
apart above the sump pit. (Refer to the
diagram in step #3.)
2. Remove the old pump from the pit, and
unscrew the pipe and pipe adapter from the
pump.
3. Measure the distance from the bottom of the
sump pit (or from the top of the bricks in the
sump pit) to the end of the discharge pipe.
Subtract 19 inches (the height of the pump
system + 1 inch). Cut a piece of 1-1/2” rigid
PVC pipe to that length.
4. (a) Connect this piece to the discharge pipe
by cementing the two pieces together with a
1-1/2” PVC pipe connector. (Follow the
instructions on the PVC pipe cleaner and
cement.) OR, (b) connect the two pieces of
pipe together with a rubber union.
5. Remove the pump assembly by grabbing the
handle of the silver pump and lifting up. DO
NOT lift the assembly by grabbing any of the
pipes. They may break.
6. Separate the attached cords and controllers
and place them next to the pump system. BE
SURE THE CORDS AND CONTROLLERS DO
NOT FALL INTO THE SUMP PIT DURING THE
INSTALLATION.
7. Loosen the hose clamps on the enclosed
rubber union, and slide the union up on the
discharge pipe until it is even with the
bottom of the pipe.
8. Lift the combination system by the handle
on the primary pump and lower it into the
sump pit. Make sure it is level.
9. Inspect the two float switches. They should
both be vertical and positioned so that they
move smoothly without hitting the pump or
the wall of the sump pit.
10. Position the top of the pump system pipe so it
is directly below the discharge pipe. Slide the
rubber union down until half of the rubber
1
4a
2
4b
6
union is covering the pump pipe, and the other
half is covering the bottom of the discharge
pipe. Tighten the hose clamp screws securely.
3
5
7
8 9 10
Preparing the Battery
2nd LEVEL
1st LEVEL
PLATES
CE LL WALL
BATTERY TERMINALS
BATTERY CAP RINGS
CROSS SECTION OF BATTERY
The Basement Watchdog 7.5 Hour Standby
Battery has been designed to run the backup
pump for a minimum of 7.5 hours continuously.
However, most of the time the pump will turn on
and off, and the battery will run the pump
intermittently for days. In addition, the unique
materials in the battery enable it to last longer
in standby service.
NOTE: The battery will not
CAUTION
• The use of automotive batteries is NOT
recommended. Automotive batteries are
not designed for this application. They will
only run the pump for a short time and will
have a shorter life than a standby battery.
• The battery fluid sensor and cap are
designed to fit the Basement Watchdog
batteries. Measuring the battery fluid is
one of the most important features of the
system; since about 80% of backup sump
pump failures are the result of a battery
that has dried out.
• Basement Watchdog standby batteries are
specifically designed to work with your
battery backup sump pump system.
Glentronics can not guarantee the
compatibility of other brands of batteries.
For optimal performance the use of a
Basement Watchdog standby battery is
recommended.
!
DO NOT insert the fluid sensor into any
battery except a Basement Watchdog battery.
DO NOT use the enclosed battery cap on any
battery except a Basement Watchdog battery.
DO NOT drill a hole in the cap or the top of
another brand of battery to accommodate the
fluid sensor. Batteries emit explosive gases,
which can cause serious injury or death.
PREPARING THE BASEMENT
WATCHDOG STANDBY BATTERY
The Basement Watchdog batteries are shipped
dry (without acid) so they never lose power
before you take them home. A battery is
activated when the acid is added, and then it
slowly begins to deteriorate as it ages. By adding
run the primary pump.
DANGER
the acid just before use, the battery will always be
fresh. Use 1.265 specific gravity battery acid to
fill the battery. It is available where you
purchased the battery.
NOTE: Basement Watchdog batteries now come in
two configurations. The tops of the batteries look
different, and the directions for filling the
batteries and connecting the fluid sensor will vary
slightly. If the top of your battery looks like
photo A, follow the instructions on this page. If
the top of your battery looks like photo B on page
5, follow the instructions on page 5.
DANGER/POISON
!
Contains sulfuric acid. Wear eye and
clothing protection. If battery acid contacts
skin or clothing, wash immediately with
soap and water. If acid enters eyes, flush
with water for 15 minutes, and get prompt
medical attention. Review the safety
instructions on page 1.
TO FILL THE BATTERY
1. Remove the cover of the battery box by
pushing the tabs on the front and back of the
box and lifting up. Place the battery box on
the floor. Place the dry (unfilled) battery into
the battery box.
2. Remove the foil seal on the top of the battery.
3. Carefully push in the perforated tab at the top
of the acid pack. Lift up the large tab and
pull out the dispensing hose. Hold the hose
upright above the pack and squeeze the hose
forcing all the acid back into the pack.
4. Position the acid pack and battery as shown at
the right. Pinch the end of the hose together
and cut off the tip. Insert the end of the hose
into each cell. Control the flow by pinching
the hose with thumb and forefinger. Fill each
cell of the battery to a level just covering the
battery plates, and then go back and top off
each cell equally. It is important to have all
of the cells filled equally or the battery will
not operate properly. The acid should reach a
level about 1/4” below the cap rings. You may
top off each cell with a little distilled water, if
necessary. DO NOT OVERFILL THE BATTERY.
(Diagram B)
A newly filled battery will sometimes require
additional acid after about ten minutes. Re-
examine the fill level and add additional acid, if
necessary. The battery acid may bubble at this
time and give off a sulfur-like smell, but this is
normal. After the battery has been filled, screw
the caps on the top of the battery.
The battery will be charged 70%-80% 30
minutes after adding the acid. The system will
then finish charging the battery. During this time
the alarm may sound.
BATTERY A
1
2
3
4
Diagram B
1. Fill to 1st level, cover
the plates
2. Then fill to 2nd level,
just below the bottom
of the cap rings
Do not throw an
old battery in the
trash. Take it to a
service station or
recycling center.
Page 4
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