Battery Backup Sump Pump Systems and Methods

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention provide battery backup sump pump (BBU) systems and methods. The BBU systems and methods can be used with a battery and an alternating current power source to charge the battery. The BBU systems and methods can be adapted to be a portable power source for AC and DC external devices.

1 . A method for controlling a speed of a sump pump, the method comprising:
 determining if the sump pump is running;   determining if a water level is above a high setpoint if the sump pump is not running;   turning the sump pump on at a predetermined speed if the water level is above the high setpoint;   determining if a water level is falling if the sump pump is running;   decreasing the speed of the sump pump if the water level is falling;   determining if the sump pump is at maximum speed if the water level is not falling; and   increasing the speed of the sump pump if the sump pump is not at maximum speed.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , and further comprising initiating an alarm if the sump pump is at maximum speed and the water level is not falling. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining if a water level is above a high setpoint comprises monitoring a pressure transducer. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining if the sump pump is running comprises monitoring a current to the sump pump. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , and further comprising determining if overflow contacts are closed; and
 initiating an overflow alarm if the overflow contacts are closed.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , and further comprising increasing the speed of the sump pump to maximum speed if the overflow contacts are closed. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , and further comprising setting an overflow counter to a predetermined time.