Sump pump & electric consumption

[coachgrd]

After the cruel joke of 36" of snow on Sunday and 70 degree temps the last two days, my sump is working overtime right now and I suspect it will be for some time to come. As I sat there last night watching it go through its paces, I wondered what might consume the least amout of electric: Setting the starts and stops to come on more frequently (thereby forcing the sump to kick on more often but also kick off more often) OR setting it to not come on as often (allowing more water to enter the pit). With setting #2, the pump needs more time to empty the pit but is also off for longer periods too. Maybe its a horse a piece, I don't know.

Thanks as always for sharing your thoughts and expertise...

coachgrd

 

[SnowRidge]

The lower the pump cycle frequency, the lower the power consumption and the longer the pump life expectancy.

There may not be enough of a power savings to see it on the meter, though. The main benefit would be pump longevity, especially the float switch contacts, which wear a bit every time they operate. Even with that, the pump may not get enough total use for it to have any practical bearing on its life.

 

[SPIKER]

as stated above the high "Inrush Current" of elctricity will make the power comsumesumtion go up with frequent cycling so keep it set so that it doesn't come on untill it gets a bit higher and goes off when it reaches the bottom of the crock. same situation as for a water well pump , a bigger tank will give the pump a slightly longer run time and less wear on the pump from starting & stoping which causes the lines to jerk and bump around. often wearing holes in the line and or wires.

also never tape the wires to the water line as that will let them rub on the casing/ rocks as the pump jerks around each time... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

back to the sumppump you MAY have to keep an eye on the discharge (depending if it goes into a french drain or just down into the ditch) as excess water dumped fast by the pump can flood the yard areas if not carefull. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Makr M