Constant ejector pump failure, replaced 4 times in 6 months.

What on earth could cause a sump pump to fail 4 times in a 6 month period? It has been replaced, brand new, these 4 times.

I have vented it correctly as well as kept it on the proper circuit breaker. The water usage in the basement is the same (if not less) than it has always been.

The previous pump before that lasted since the house was built 7 years ago.

Any ideas? Would love some feedback, as this is confusing as heck and quite frustrating!!

1. How long does it stay off between cycles? You need at least 2 minutes off time between cycles to prevent overheating.
2. Do not allow the pump to run when there is no water to pump. They are water cooled and will not last long if there is no water to keep them cool.
3. Make sure the outflow pipe is not restricted and that you have a good flow of water.
4. And most important - do not buy your pump from a big box store. This is a case of you get what you pay for. Go to a plumbing supply house and get yourself a nice Zoeller.

-rick

NickRock said:

fail 4 times in a 6 month period?

Click to expand...

Check for a high resistance in the line feeding it by checking the voltage across the pump when it is running [and knowing the wire gauge and length back to the panel and rated current draw. BTW, what are these values?]
Generally the voltage should drop less than 5% from pump off to pump on.

Good skiing out your way. For a while I took business trips to Ball Aerospace in Boulder and it was a short skip to Loveland.

If you are using a sump pump for pumping anything but clear/grey water it is going to fail.

What brand/model of pump is it & how is it failing?

What is draining into the basin?

NickRock said:

What on earth could cause a sump pump to fail 4 times in a 6 month period? It has been replaced, brand new, these 4 times.

The previous pump before that lasted since the house was built 7 years ago.

Any ideas? Would love some feedback, as this is confusing as heck and quite frustrating!!

Click to expand...

What did the failed pumps actually do; motor quit, no water movement, the smoke escaped...?