I awoke this morning to the "add water" warning going off. This is the first time I've had to do this in the four years it's been in service. The unit I have is the "Big Combo" and I did buy the marine battery. Mine works it's tail off and, so far, (knock on wood) it has worked flawlessly for me. Yeah, filling the battery initially with acid was scary but I was very careful and got through it. Adding distilled water made me nervous but it turned out not to be a big deal. Just do it in a well lit place so you can see down into the chambers and get the levels as equal as you can.
You absolutely CAN use a marine battery with this system. The instruction manual states this is possible by simply placing the battery fluid sensor lead underneath the wingnut on the positive battery terminal. The recommended battery to use is the lead acid battery that you fill with water from time-to-time because it is the most reliable battery for this type of application. It can keep the pump going for several days if needed. I bought this system at Lowes a few weeks ago and it has already saved me once from a total disaster. I highly recommend this product. I also purchased the additional WiFi module and it will send me a text message and an email whenever the module senses a battery or flooding issue. There is no subscription fee for this service and it gives me total peace of mind
You can use the new maintenance-free AGM battery with the "Watchdog Special" system like the one in the video as long as your serial number is 300000 or higher. The AGM battery never needs water.
I have had mine for 15years , And i just replaced the Battery with a agm battery and connected the probe to the positive post to stop alarm! works fine.
Like you, I've had this Basement Watchdog Special for about 15 years. My first Watchdog battery lasted 4 years. I just replaced the second one after 11 years of use. Since Watchdog no longer makes the lead acid batteries, I went to Walmart and bought a close match Everstart Marine Deep Cycle 29DC battery for $120. For now, it beats buying a new backup for about $600, so I hope this works out. What model AGM battery did you get and how has it worked out for the last 6 months?
TTG, pay no attention to darrell, he's a DH. You did good posing this... I agree with you, this BWS is a pain to maintain. When mine dies, I’ll be looking at Wayne or another manufacture. Thanks for posting...
Get a effing better battery!!!! I use a prescription bottle for the battery sensor Works perfect... The only downfall to these is the control panel does sometimes fail.. Happens even with $1400 zoeller setups... Mine is 17yrs old & works flawless.. Just replaced this month with model bwsp.. Triple the gpm (gallons per minute)as the old yellow pump.. Agm battery compatible as well.. A little creativity goes a long ways.... My new watchdog setup with agm batteries will pump 2300+ gpm for 31hrs!!!!! With my generator powering my Schumacher battery charger I can run for weeks!!! Amazing little pump/kit for $200!!!!
To permanently disable the water fluid low alarm, attached the fluid sensor rod to the positive terminal of the battery. This can be done by tightening down the wing nut on top of the positive terminal and the fluid sensor.
The emergency battery with the red top is only designed to be used with the emergency system, the smallest Basement Watchdog system. The special system is designed to be paired with the full size battery (with the black top), part number 30HDC140S.
I just replaced my old WatchDog Special , it lasted 25 years ( the module/computer was failing), probably because I didn’t have it plugged into a surge protector. Yeah the battery doesn’t last forever, I think I am on my 3rd one . Not bad for 25 years. So now I have upgraded to the Special +connect .
Late to the party here, but to add yet another opinion: I bought/installed a Basement Watchdog Combo unit (Main sump and battery backup w/Watchdog Battery) ~5/6-years ago. Out of the box I was HATING this system, couldn't get it to work properly, constant alarms etc. Turns out my "control unit" was a dud straight out the box. The company replaced the control unit, no questions asked (aside from having to return the defective unit). Since then I have NOT had a single problem...in fact was beginning to doubt the system worked all the way as I had NO warnings for years, but just in the last week got the "add more water to battery" alarm. Topped off batteries and ALL is good again.. not too bad for 5+ years use. Definitely NOT a perfect system, with possible dud units out of the box, BUT if all is right these systems CAN go the distance. Though perhaps, I would go a different direction if I needed to replace at this stage to avoid potential risk.
ive had one a few years. control panel was defective, replaced battery. it lasted about 8 months and failed and my basement got wet. junked the thing. ive got twin zoellers in the pit now and a backup genset. now i can sleep again...
Hi Steve was looking into the basement watchdog...glad I didnt get it...you said you have a zoeller system...my sump pit is about 21 inches deep and 12×12 wide...any idea if a zoeller system would fit?? Any info would be appreciated ..thanks Steve
doesn't bother me, besides the threat of water in the basement is serious enough that it's a good idea to keep your eye on it. Once every 3-4 month doesn't strike me as that much of a nuisance because it prompts me to verify the entire system (debris in the water, the floats are working as well as the battery issues). As a car owner, I'm also used to putting water in my battery - it extends life as opposed to the expectation we have developed to just set it and forget it (this is a mindset that leads to greater profits for the companies since we have to replace stuff faster). With this kind of investment, it makes sense to go ahead and do the upkeep and maintenance.
Thanks for the comment. I disagree that we want set it and forget it. More so, we want something that can be relied on if needed. Regular maintenance is one thing but perpetual upkeep for something like a battery seems disproportionately burdensome. The whole system to me seemed unreliable and finicky. If the battery need constant attention, it does not speak "reliability" to me.
People are stupid. If you follow the directions of maintenance & obtain the correct battery the system works fine. He’s complaining that the alarm goes off in the middle of the night. Duh. It’s going to go off whenever the problem occurs. And, by the way - the recommended battery for this system by Basement Watchdog is a marine deep cycle battery; that’s why you add water from time to time. It’s obvious the guy in the video doesn’t have a great understanding of the system - or the battery. This is fine; but I always wonder why these people make videos for You Tube. Like, if you don’t know what you’re talking about - leave the video making to someone who does.
I actually understand the system fairly well and I never said I knew everything about it. Point being, I wouldn't recommend this type of system for the average consumer. The battery is very, very finicky and silencing the alarm does not work (it's not always practical to go fill your battery at 3AM on a Tuesday night). Not to mention the process is not user friendly. If you're defending the system that's fine, but in my opinion it sucks. Both of the basement watchdog batteries are garbage...
Stephen you are absolutely right. Wrong battery proves he doesn't understand the system as well as he claims to. Especially since their batteries are deep cycle marine batteries Lmao. Even says that on the batteries. I have more than one 6 years strong and still going. And the battery is rated at 5 years. People cut corners trying to save a buck getting a cheaper battery not strong enough for the intended use 🤣
Does it matter what cell you put the low water prob in. My last battery had a yellow cap on it this one doesn't and I don't remember which cell the prob was in
When my sump activates it’s kicking on the battery backup, which does not stop running until I pull the wires off! Otherwise it just blinks green (charging). Any idea why? Please help
The wrong battery was used, the white battery with the black top should have been used, as the white and red("Emergency Battery") battery was only meant to be used with the Basement Watchdog Emergency backup pump and is not recommended to use with the Basement Watchdog Special. Though if you are looking for a better one, look towards the Nexgen Pumps 2400 as it is one of the only 24V battery backup systems out there.
Hey Jennifer. I've had this Basement Watchdog Special for about 15 years. My first Watchdog battery lasted 4 years. I just replaced the second one after 11 years of use. IMHO, the key is to check the water level every 3 to 4 months. Be sure to ONLY use distilled water. Not spring or drinking water. Has to be distilled. I believe the longevity to the battery is to keep a schedule and fill the cells every 3-4 months. However, as The Truck Guy mentioned, this system is very high maintenance and a PITA. The good part is Watchdog no longer makes the Basement Special with lead maintenance batteries. So you may be asking "how did he get a replacement battery?". I went to Walmart and bought a close match Everstart Marine Deep Cycle 29DC battery. For now, it beats buying a new backup for about $600, so I hope this works out.
You guys are clueless.... Guess maintaining a battery is tough for some... Mines 17yrs old & works perfect!!!! Do some research for christ's sake That batt in the video is a joke.... Again...do some research!!!!!!! Dont buy a 15yr old harley..lmao!!!!.
My mother's house had this system and it ran great for over 15 years with two battery replacements. I would top off the water every 3-4 months. I am about to purchase one for my current home as the sump pump is old and I want to replace it before it fails. I will get the Basement Watchdog combo solution with a sealed AGM battery. Set it and forget it.
I install these all the time. And have seen these batterys outlast marine batterys. Also the marines batterys can cause issues with the voltage.. those batterys run $98.00 Then the acid around $21.99 also you have the sensor rod In the wrong spit it needs to be 2 over from the positive terminal not the negative or that will set the battery alarm off.
It's possible this battery may outlast, but the constant maintenance is the pain. As for the sensor rod, it's in the right spot per the factory specs. They point this out to in the Basement Watchdog video as well: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-0Xr_uQ9Anso.html
Let's face it. Max you used the wrong battery for it and it's clearly outlined on both boxes. The battery box as well as the system box. You chose the weaker battery designed for the weaker system and that's why you kept having to add water as well as your battery lasting a quarter of the 5 year battery life span
As long as the sump pump cable is connected to the watchdog battery housing, there is a loud rough noise.Can you help me out with what may be causing this? /
How do you disconnect the system? I unplugged everything that went into the wall but the alarm kept going off. Until I can get it fixed, do I have to disconnect the terminals? I have one about 10 years old. Thank you.
On these units, when the water hits the float, it kicks the pump on and only pumps about 1/4 inch out of the sump hole, does its 10 second delay then turns off. Does anyone know how to fix this issue, I can’t seem to figure out how I should adjust the float system to take more water. a pump should take more than a skim of water out.
It's probably better to know your system so you're able to do repairs and maintenance yourself. It's inaccurate to say you're constantly refilling the cells on this battery system. Once every six months is more accurate.
@@TheTruckGuy mine definitely isn't that frequent. Sounds like you got a dud. I must've gotten a rose and only refill it about every six months and usually longer. The system is very quiet. Their built-in check valves cut the noise down to remarkable levels. Great system!
I installed 2 of these about 9 years ago. been thru 4 batteries and way to much attention payed to them. will be replacing with a different system. not a reliable product.
You need better batteries... If 5 minutes every 4 months is to much attention I feel sorry for your homeowner experience.. These things are gravy & work awesome
You can buy the distilled water at any normal grocery store. It doesn't need to be anything special. What do you mean by minced beeps? Is there an alarm flashing? Hit me up or a sub too. Thanks!
@@TheTruckGuy thank you very much for replying I appreciate it , was very helpful , I meant that minutes beeps quite a bit , I press the reset and its good for about 2hrs I finally just unplugged it. And yes I did like your revue.
I wasn't impressed with this type thing, mine never worked right. Now I have an ac pump plugged into a power inverter hooked to a bank of six golf cart batt. It serves as my backup emergency power system anyway. It is also hooked to solar panels topside. The batt are vented as well.
Yeah, I don't have this hooked up anymore. If there's a power outage during the sump pump season, I may just go pick up a generator and run it off of that until power comes back on. It's pretty rare we lose power where I am so I'm not too worried about constantly having the battery backup on.
If you're getting 'errors' repeatedly, it's time to replace your system. Watchdog products are reliable but this particular set-up has run its course. Either the battery is shot or the electronics in the 'brain' controller are messed-up. Either way, don't be a cheapskate and risk a flood. The investment in a new system will be NOTHING in comparison to your disaster mitigation. Repeat: NOTHING.
