When a heavy storm hits and the power in your home goes out you will need a battery powered pump that automatically turns on or be ready with a bucket to keep your basement dry! That is where the Wayne ESP25 comes in!
Most home owners never think about installing a battery powered pump until after their first flood where their primary sump pump fails and the basement floods. That is when they go looking for a back up plan! When people ask us which battery operated model we would install in our own home we tell them to check out our Wayne ESP25 review.
ESP25 Features
The ESP25 is made of epoxy steel and cast iron instead of the old plastic design. This body type adds stability to the pump and extends its lifespan while still being rust resistant. The pump can pump up to 2,900 gallons of water per hour at 0′ head height or 600 GPH at 15′ and can run for up to 26 hours at a time!
Wayne Pump Specifications
- Float Type – Vertical
- Inlet – Suction
- Filter – Yes
- Cord – 6′ cord
- Discharge – 1.5″
- Motor – 1/4 HP
- Capacity – 2,300 GPH
- Weight – 20 lbs
- Warranty – 2 year manufacture warranty
- Durability – A+
- Performance – Keeps basement dry for hours
Pros
- Turnkey battery powered backup and alarm system
- 1/3 HP is as powerful as most primary pumps
- Loud run time alarm
Cons
- No Wifi connection
- Short power cords make reaching the wall hard
What We Think About This Model
If you are not familiar with water pumps picking a backup unit can be confusing. The ESP25 is one of the most popular models on the market in 2019 due to its reliability. Plus the sump system works with most AC powered pumps. One thing to keep in mind is that you will need a basin that is at least 15 inches in diameter in order to fit the vertical shaft into the pit.
Float Switch
This pump is activated by a float switch – that means no electrics that can get wet and fail. When the water level gets high enough the float switch will activate and active the pump. In the event of heavy flooding or the electricity goes out water will pool at the bottom of your basin until it reaches a certain level and the pump turns on and the water starts to flow.
Alarm System
One of the reasons to install this back up pump system is the alarm. When the pump is active a loud alarm turns on so you will know something is wrong in the basement! It is loud enough to wake you in the middle of the night – even if the power goes out in the middle of a thunderstorm!
The system will sound for the entire time for the entire time the backup is pumping water and it can’t be disabled or turned off so you may need some ear plugs if you want to sleep through the night. One disadvantage of the alarm on this system is that the alarm is only audible – it does not link up to your WiFi or send alerts to your phone in the event the backup activates.
Battery Backup
The ESP25 is powered by a 12 volt power source and takes any group 27 battery. It has a run time of a few days – depending on the head height and gallons of water pumped per hour. The pump does have a 1/3 hp pump so it uses quite a bit of power for every hour that it runs. If you expect to have the use this pump for than a few times per year we recommend picking up a back up battery just in case. One common complaint we found was that the power cords are too short for the battery and charger – an extension cord works but it would be nice if they were longer.
When the current battery runs out of power all you have to do is open the battery case and switch out the old one with the new. For best results us a Sealed Lead Acid (or SLA) battery but normal batteries also will work. Always make sure to test the sump pump battery every 8 to 12 months. Keep an eye out for corrosion and acid leaks while doing maintenance to avoid overheating and clogs.
Troubleshooting and Installation
The ESP25 is a popular choice for many homeowners as a backup sump pump due to its easy installation and maintenance. This unit requires occasional maintenance and upkeep and can be installed in about 30 minutes. Always remember to test the audible alarms to make sure you can hear it from the furthest point in your home when your primary pump goes out.
Our Final Say
Every basement and crawl space should have a battery powered backup pump in case of emergency failure. The Wayne ESP25 is an excellent choice for primary Wayne sump pumps or pumps from other big name manufacturers like Zoeller and Superior Pump. We like the ESP25 for homes in medium to heavy flood areas and recommend picking up a backup battery in case of an extended outage.