WAYNE WSS30V Primary sump pump & Battery Backup Review
It is highly recommended by professionals to have a battery backup sump pump for your basement. One of the most popular battery backup sump pumps is the WAYNE WSS30V Sump Pump.
The Wayne WSS30VN – 1/2 HP is a combination between a primary and backup sump pump system.
So it is a sump pump system made of a pre-assembled primary pump and a battery backup pump. The primary pump is the WAYNE CDU800, the battery backup is the WAYNE ESP25. You may have heard of these older sump pumps before.
The CDU800 is AC-powered, with a 1/2HP motor. Its maximum flow rate is 5100 gallons per hour, drops to 3840 gallons per hour at 10 feet.
The ESP25 is DC-powered, with a 12V battery. It has a maximum flow rate of 2900 gallons per hour, drops to 1680 gallons per hour at 10 feet.
Both pumps have protection for any damage that may occur in the sump pit. The main pump has epoxy-coated and rugged cast iron construction. While the backup pump has reinforced thermoplastic construction.
With this sump pump system, you get 2 heavy-duty check valves. You won’t have to spend more money on the sump pump.
The battery backup pump has an alarm that will alert you when the pump is running. Usually, the backup pump can run for 26 hours continuously. Also, it has an LED indicator that tells you the percentage of the battery.
It is automatically started and turned off by a vertical float switch. The turn-on level is at 9 inches and the turn-off level is at 4 inches. The switch is made from Polypropylene.
Designed for basins with 15 inches diameter. Also, it has a top suction design that prevents clogging.
This sump pump system weighs 24 pounds. It comes with a 9 feet long cord and its maximum pumping height is 22 feet. For discharge pipes, it uses an outlet that is 1-1/2″.
These were the specifications of the WAYNE WSS30V Sump Pump System. Let’s move on to the pros and cons.
Pros
One of the best features of this sump pump system is that is so easy to install. Even if you do not have any previous experience with sump pumps it only takes you 30 minutes to an hour. You won’t have to waste money on professionals.
It’s one of the cheaper battery back-ups that you can find on the market. You may find cheaper, but not as efficient as this one for that kind of money.
Customers commend WAYNE on the energy-efficient motor and how quiet it is. The only sound you can hear is the water flowing in the pipes. However, the motor itself will never bother you.
Of course, the fact that this sump pump system has a battery backup pump earns its good points. Homeowners that dealt with power going out, know why having a backup is so useful.
This sump pump system is protected from any kind of rust and corrosion. Sump basins are a really dirty place, you would want a sump pump that is well protected.
You don’t have to worry about any kind of debris. The top suction design is perfect for preventing debris from getting in the sump pump system. Also, the cast iron casing is another soldier in line, fighting against debris.
What I like most about this sump pump are the 2 heavy-duty check valves. You don’t have to spend extra money or work on the discharge pipes. Water will never flow back into the sump pump.
The primary pump work very well. It is not that powerful, but it can still go to 3840 gallons per hour at 10 feet. The battery is not that strong, but you will still find it helpful if the power goes out.
The vertical float switch works really well, and people have not complained about it on this WAYNE product. It came in good condition, and there were hardly any problems.
As you can see, this sump pump has some really good features. However, it’s time for the cons.
Cons
This sump pump system is designed for larger basins. You may have to spend extra money on a larger basin. Don’t buy this product if you are not able to make your basin larger than 15 inches in diameter.
Also, you will have to spend money on a good battery. This sump pump does not come with a battery; however, WAYNE has a special battery for this sump pump that you can buy. Customers like this sump pump because it’s cheap and efficient, they may be disappointed when they find out they have to buy a battery too.
Customers often complain about the short life of both the pumps. However, you can’t expect much for that kind of money. Also, some of the casing screws were lightly tightened.
If your basement is really prone to flooding, you may not want to rely so much on the backup pump. 12V can’t do much if the water is coming in constantly. Make sure to check your sump pit if the power is out for longer than 2 hours.
The most common problem with this sump pump is the LED indicator. It usually fails, it shows that the battery is full, when in fact, it’s not. If your sump pump didn’t have to use the battery for a long time, the battery may be dead, even if the LED indicator shows that it’s full.
Also, customers complain about the alarm not being loud enough and it does not ring continuously. It only rings for a very short period that you may not notice.
For a fully submersible sump pump, this one has a short power cord. The cord is only 9 feet, but you can easily solve that with one trip to any hardware store.
That’s all about the cons of the WSS30V. Now, we weigh the good against the bad, and we reach a verdict.
Our verdict
This is an average sump pump system. It’s quite efficient, but not for every home.
It sure is great that it has a battery backup pump, but you have to buy the battery. It isn’t that cheap if you consider the cost of the battery, especially if you have to enlarge your basin.
Also, the protection from debris makes it look like it’s worth it at first look, however, the sump pump may not last that long. You will have to decide between sump pumps that have regular clogging problems and ones that have a short life.
I have to say that the heavy-duty valve checks are an advantage. For many sump pumps, you have to buy and install the valve checks.
Without the valve checks and the reliable float switch, I would have to say that this is a bad sump pump. You can find equally good motors for the same price. The valve checks and the battery backup pump give it a slight advantage over equally priced models on the market.
All in all, I can say that this is a good sump pump system, but not great. I am sure you can find better ones available on the market. It may seem cheap, but there will be additional costs.
I would recommend this sump pump system to someone who already has a battery ready at his home. And, of course, if your basin is large enough. If you can spend more money on a better pump, I recommend doing it. If you are on a budget, and still want a battery backup pump, go for this one.
That’s all from me. Hope you find this helpful.
Primary Pump specs (CDU800)
| Name Of The WSS30V Primary Pump | CDU800 |
|---|---|
| H/P | 1/2 |
| Dimensions in inches, X x Y x Z | 10.5 x 9 x 11 |
| Maximum gallons per hour | 5100 |
| Solids handling, diameter (inches) | 0 |
| GPH 0 | 5100 |
| GPH 5 | 4500 |
| GPH 10 | 3840 |
| GPH 15 | 3060 |
| GPH 20 | 2040 |
| GPH 25 | 660 |
| Battery included | No |
| Battery required to run | No |
| Housing material | Coated steel |
| Base material | Cast iron |
| Impeller material | Thermoplastic |
| Switch Type | Vertical float |
| Warranty yes/no | Yes |
| Warranty years | 3 |
| Link to warranty | Link |
| Link to manual | Link |
| Voltage | 120 |
| Weight in pounds | 22 |
| First year of production | 2002 |
| Is discontinued? | No |
| Running Amps | 3.8 |
| Cord Length (feet) | 8 |
| Discharge size (inches) | 1-1/2 |
| Discharge type | Side |
| No-clog design | Yes |
| Switch On Point (inches) | 9 |
| Switch Off Point (inches) | 4 |
| Pumps Down To (Ft) | 26 |
| Liquid Temperature Minumum | 40 |
| Liquid Temperature Maximum (F) | 120 |
| Motor: Continuous duty | No |
| Motor thermally protected? | Yes |
| Capacitor start motor | Yes |
| Requires check valve? | Yes |
| Check valve included? | No |
| Sump Pit diameter required (inches) | 11 |
| Circuit requirement (Ampere) | 15 |
