January 18, 20179 yr comment_93289 We moved into this house last April, and within 2 weeks the sump pump switch failed. This was an electronic switch and failed in the "on" position so the pump kept running. As it turns out the forecast was for heavy rains the next day, so in a panic I ran off to Lowes and bought a replacement with a mechanical float switch. Yesterday that switch got stuck in the on position, I cycled it up/down several times and it seems to have come unstuck...at least it worked fine through the night. But I'm going to buy a spare and have on hand. Here's the question: are the mechanical switches so unreliable I should get another electronic one? Maybe what happened to me yesterday was just a fluke, but since this is the first time I've ever had a sump pump I thought I would ask. Edited November 20, 20178 yr by Ron Dudelston tags added Report
January 18, 20179 yr comment_93305 I have a sump pump and I have one with the floats that slide up and down a rail. I really have not had any problems with the floats. I do not keep a spare. I have always bought mine from a pipe supplier that I use at work. I "trust" their products a little more tjan the ones from the big box stores Report
January 18, 20179 yr comment_93311 I have had both types of switches. Very rarely had a problem with the switch. They sell just the switches for them, the float switch on a tether is very common but you have to make sure you have the clearance in the pit. The pump part is probably good unless it over heated to the point of oil coming out. On one of the pumps with a mechanical switch I had to add a fishing float to the float for a little more weight to shut it off after it pumped down. Roly Report
January 18, 20179 yr comment_93313 Fred... how dirty is your water and make sure the pump is sitting as near plumb as you can get it... I like my USA made Gould and Viking pumps.. Report
January 18, 20179 yr Author comment_93327 Actually the sump water is crystal clear. Good point about it being vertical since it's one of those piggyback switches, I checked and it is pretty much dead on. I should have mentioned...I think the electronic switch that failed was probably the original one; and the house was built in 1998. there's little doubt I could have just changed the switch, but I was in a hurry. If all else fails, there is a battery back up pump in there as well (relatively new, installation date is 2013)...I just don't want to count on it. Edited January 18, 20179 yr by Fred W. Hargis, Jr Report
January 18, 20179 yr comment_93339 Some of the electronic ones would get deposits on the contacts that are underwater. Check and see how corroded they are, you may be able clean it and get it working again, to use it for an emergency spare. Roly Report
January 19, 20179 yr Author comment_93436 Well, this sucks. I had mentioned in the first post I bought this pump at Lowes. The one I bought is a Zoeller, a good name as best I can determine, and a good warranty (I thought). The warranty says to return the defective pump to the vendor so I stopped into Lowes to see if they had one in stock. Turns out they have quit carrying the Zoeller pumps and not just stock their own brand (Utilitech). The guy there said he would exchange mine for one of the ones in stock, which I'm not going to do. In searching around I found you can buy parts for Zoeller pumps on line, including the switch. I might just buy a spare switch and keep it ready. In the meantime, the suspect pump has been working just fine now for the past 3 days or so....I'll just keep a close eye on it. Report
January 19, 20179 yr comment_93437 heads up on the Utillitech... that bran can leave a lot to be desired... Report
January 19, 20179 yr comment_93438 Whats the reason you didn't exchange with them? Wrong color Report
January 19, 20179 yr comment_93439 I forgot to add I use their brand to pump my waterfall pond about three of four times a year as the crud turns black and don't look so hot as a waterfall. The rest of the year it sits there just waiting for a flip. Report
January 19, 20179 yr Author comment_93448 A sump pump is a fairly important piece of equipment around here, enough so that I wouldn't trust the Utilitech brand for one. The Zoeller is a USA made pump...and while my experience with it has had a hiccup, I still trust it more than the Utilitech. Report
January 19, 20179 yr comment_93470 2 hours ago, Fred W. Hargis, Jr said: A sump pump is a fairly important piece of equipment around here, enough so that I wouldn't trust the Utilitech brand for one. The Zoeller is a USA made pump...and while my experience with it has had a hiccup, I still trust it more than the Utilitech. I sell pond pumps at the garden center where I work part-time, so I speak from experience! If it says "Made in China", give it a WIDE berth! John Report
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