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A 3/10 HP sump pump draws about 1,116 W while running (Zoeller M53, 9.7 A at 115 V). If it runs 10 minutes in every hour, a 2,048 Wh station keeps it going about 9 hours; at 5 minutes an hour, about 19 hours [calc]. The station needs at least 1,200 W continuous and enough surge for the start.
Hours of backup, by station and pump duty
Every station in stock in Canada on November 14 with at least 1,116 W continuous, cheapest first. Usable Wh at 85%.
| Station | Price | Continuous / surge | Pump runs 5 min an hour [calc] | 10 min an hour [calc] | 20 min an hour [calc] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ALLPOWERS R1500 LITE | CA$374.90 | 1,600 W / 3,000 W | 10 h | 5 h | 2 h |
| EcoFlow DELTA 2 | CA$599 | 1,800 W / 2,700 W | 9 h | 5 h | 2 h |
| Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 | CA$649 | 2,000 W / 3,000 W | 9 h | 5 h | 2 h |
| BLUETTI Elite 100 V2 | CA$649 | 1,800 W / 3,600 W | 9 h | 5 h | 2 h |
| Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 | CA$649 | 1,500 W / not published | 10 h | 5 h | 2 h |
| EcoFlow DELTA 3 Classic | CA$699 | 1,800 W / 3,600 W | 9 h | 5 h | 2 h |
| Anker SOLIX S2000 | CA$849 | 1,500 W / 3,000 W | 18 h | 9 h | 5 h |
| EcoFlow DELTA 3 Max | CA$989 | 2,400 W / 4,800 W | 19 h | 9 h | 5 h |
| BLUETTI Elite 200 V2 | CA$1,079 | 2,600 W / 3,900 W | 19 h | 9 h | 5 h |
| Anker SOLIX C2000 Gen 2 | CA$1,099 | 2,400 W / 4,000 W | 19 h | 9 h | 5 h |
| EcoFlow DELTA 3 1500 | CA$1,099 | 1,800 W / 3,600 W | 14 h | 7 h | 4 h |
| Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 | CA$1,099 | 2,200 W / not published | 19 h | 9 h | 5 h |
| BLUETTI AC180T | CA$1,199 | 1,800 W / not published | 13 h | 7 h | 3 h |
| EcoFlow DELTA 3 Max Plus | CA$1,299 | 3,000 W / 6,000 W | 19 h | 9 h | 5 h |
| EcoFlow DELTA 3000 Gen4 | CA$1,599 | 3,600 W / 7,200 W | 28 h | 14 h | 7 h |
| EcoFlow DELTA 3 Ultra | CA$1,599 | 3,600 W / 7,200 W | 28 h | 14 h | 7 h |
| BLUETTI Elite 300 | CA$1,699 | 2,400 W / not published | 28 h | 14 h | 7 h |
| BLUETTI Apex 300 | CA$1,799 | 3,840 W / not published | 25 h | 13 h | 6 h |
| Anker SOLIX F3000 | CA$1,899 | 3,600 W / 7,200 W | 28 h | 14 h | 7 h |
| BLUETTI Elite 400 | CA$1,899 | 2,600 W / not published | 35 h | 18 h | 9 h |
| EcoFlow DELTA 3 Ultra Plus | CA$1,999 | 3,600 W / 7,200 W | 28 h | 14 h | 7 h |
| EcoFlow DELTA Pro | CA$1,999 | 3,600 W / 7,200 W | 33 h | 16 h | 8 h |
| EcoFlow DELTA 3800 Gen4 | CA$2,499 | 3,600 W / 7,200 W | 34 h | 17 h | 9 h |
| EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 | CA$2,799 | 4,000 W / not published | 37 h | 19 h | 9 h |
| Anker SOLIX F3800 Plus | CA$3,199 | 6,000 W / not published | 35 h | 18 h | 9 h |
| Jackery Explorer 5000 Plus | CA$3,899 | 7,200 W / 14,400 W | 46 h | 23 h | 12 h |
Before you count on it
- Start-up. Pump motors draw more for a moment when they start. Zoeller does not publish that figure for the M53; your pump's manual may. Enter it in What will it run, and for how long to keep only stations whose published surge covers it.
- Switchover. Many stations publish a UPS mode (10 to 20 ms on the pages we read). Left plugged in, they take over when the grid drops.
- Plug, not wiring. A sump pump with a cord plugs into the station. A pump wired to the panel is an electrician's job, like a furnace.
- Cold basement. Every charging range we read starts at 0°C. See charging below freezing.
All stations, prices and surge ratings: power station comparison for Canada.
Frequently asked questions
How many watts does a sump pump use?
A Zoeller M53, a common 3/10 HP pump, is rated 9.7 A at 115 V, about 1,116 W while running [calc]. Check your own pump's nameplate. The start-up draw is not published by Zoeller.
Will a 1,000 W power station run a sump pump?
Not this one: 1,116 W while running is above 1,000 W continuous. Pick a station whose continuous output is above your pump's running watts, and whose surge covers its start.
How often does a sump pump run during a storm?
It depends on your water table, the pit and the rain or melt. Watch it for an hour during a storm: the minutes it runs per hour are what the table needs. Snow melt and freezing rain can keep it busy.