Power Outage Sump Pump Alert

[president89]

Anyone know of a product that uses WIFI to alert a user via phone/text/email if you have a power outage, or your sump pump is on. Everything I'm finding is phone based, or only does power outage or sump pump. I don't have a LAN line and my WIFI has a battery backup incase of power outages. I also don't want to have to purchase a seperate cell phone strictly for this purpose. I want to be alerted when I'm not home.

 

[mixedreef89]

Apex Controller

 

[mixedreef89]

ALD module will alert you for leaks and the controller it self can let you know of power outages or if something is not running right

 

[oblio]

A thought,
If the power is out and your wireless has a battery backup this doesn't necessarily mean you have connectivity beyond that point. Again there is a difference between being connected to your WiFi and that WiFi having connectivity to your providers network. Might want to check before relying on a system that might not provide you with the insurance you are trying to build.

 

[sleepydoc]

+1 The only way this would work is if the system doing the sensing and notification as well as your wifi router and cable/DSL modem were on a separate power source that wasn't interrupted.

No personal experience with this, but I'm sure there are home alarm systems that will alert you to a power outage for the whole house. Another way around it would be to have a controller send a notice every xx minutes and have some sort of alert get sent if the notice wasn't received.

 

[president89]

These types of units run on battery backup. I just cannot find one that uses wifi.
My wifi has Internet as long as someone didn't take out the telephone pole. Most of my outages are transformer related. My wifi has never gone out, but good point.

How is an apex controller going to sense my sump pump?

 

[sleepydoc]

Were you referring to a pump for your aquarium sump (the most logical assumption, given the forum we're on,) or a sump pump for the drain tile in your basement?

 

[CuzzA]

An Apex or Reef Keeper registered with Reeftronics.net is the solution. Aside from all the other alerts and benefits that come with the Apex if Reeftronics is unable to communicate with your controller they will send you an email/text.

Another alternative is to install a float switch in your sump so when the return pump is off the back siphon into the sump triggers the float switch and sends you an email/text via Apex. Of course the Apex would need to be on a UPS.

Of course the best solution would be to simply put a power head on an automatic battery back up. Then it doesn't matter, because your system will have automatic life support. I designed one if you would like the link.

 

[president89]

Everyone misunderstood me. I'm talking about a basement sump pump (ground water), not my aquarium. The power outage alert would tell me my aquariums might be have a problem.

 

[sleepydoc]

Still not clear what your goals are - powering your sump pump, notifying you of a power outage, or both?

For the sump pump, many companies make battery backup units, so if you're worried about keeping your basement dry, that's probably the best option.

To sense power to your tank, you need some sort of battery backup for any sensing system. The options I can think of off the top of my head are a separate home alarm system that notifies you of a power outage, or a reef controller with a battery backup, UPS backup power supply. To sense the power status, some UPS units have an interface or alarm light that goes on/off when the unit is on backup power, so you could use that to signal the controller. Otherwise, you could have a relay/SSR connected to an unprotected outlet and have the controller e-mail you when the connection is broken.

If power interruptions are that frequent or that much of an issue, you should consider getting a backup generator; it may well be a better/cheaper option in the long run.

 

[BlackTip]

If your power is out, your internet WIFI router most likely will be out as well. What you are looking for is a cellular module similar to what is used in home security systems. Some security system may provide this option.

 

[president89]

1. I want to know when my sump pump turns on. Why? Because I'm honestly not sure if it's going to handle all the water in the ground. First season with it.
2. I want to know when my power goes out, so 1, I know if my tanks have shutoff... I have many tanks and a battery backup won't run them all.
If I know the power is out, I can rsh home and turn on my generator.

I've already explained my WIFI and internet are on battery backup.

 

[hocuspocus]

I use these. http://wirelesstag.net/

 

[smmiller506]

An Arduino with a GSM shield. Connect a simple float switch to the top of the sump pit, and when the float is triggered, the Arduino sends a text to your phone. The shield will get service anywhere AT&T or T-Mobile does.

 

[CuzzA]

1. I want to know when my sump pump turns on. Why? Because I'm honestly not sure if it's going to handle all the water in the ground. First season with it.
2. I want to know when my power goes out, so 1, I know if my tanks have shutoff... I have many tanks and a battery backup won't run them all.
If I know the power is out, I can rsh home and turn on my generator.

I've already explained my WIFI and internet are on battery backup.

Ok. Sorry for the confusion. An Apex would still work.

1. You can have the Apex alert(text) you when an outlet is turned on or by an alert(text) of the amp draw reaching a certain point indicating the pump is on and consuming power.

2. As I already mentioned, have the Apex linked to Reeftronics and alert you of a communication failure which would indicate there is no power to the Apex including the pumps. Obviously you wouldn't want the Apex on a battery backup otherwise you wouldn't know there was a power failure.

Plus you can add the leak detectors so that you'll be alerted if the the pumps aren't keeping up and there is a flood.