RVMS-10 115-Volt Piggyback Vertical Mechanical Pump Down Float Switch for Pumps up to 1/2 HP with 10-ft. Cord, Black, 599261

I recently discovered that the battery-powered backup pump in my sump did not engage during a storm where there was a power outage. When I checked it out, I discovered that the backup pump was supposed to be turned on by a tether-type float switch. However, that switch easily caught up on the side of the sump or the sump cover before it could turn on, so the backup pump never engaged. It seems like the tether type switch is not a good option. After doing a lot of research, I decided to try this mechanical float switch as a replacement. I was a bit concerned because I could not find any float switches of this type rated for DC use. However, this unit is rated for 1/2 hp or 13 amps. An email to the vendor was answered in a few hours. In fact, a representative called me, and said that this switch would work fine in my application (a 12v DC pump that uses about 9 amps continuous running). In fact, he told me this is the exact switch used by the company for their DC backup pump systems. When it arrived, I felt good about my decision. The unit is designed to mount on the vertical drain pipe extending up from the sump. In my case, I could not do that because there was insufficient room for the float to operate if mounted there because either the top of the regular pump or the DC backup got in the way. However, I figured out how to mount a piece of 1 1/2 inch drain pipe behind the DC pump where there was plenty of room for the float switch to operate, and I mounted the switch to that pipe using the supplied clamp. I also had to cut the plug off the switch cord because it comes with a fitting for AC pump use. However, besides those two fairly easy adjustments. the switch installed fine and does everything I want it to do. The switch is easily adjusted. The turn on height is set by where the switch is mounted. I estimated this pretty easily before mounting, and I was able to adjust it easily after installation by loosening the clamp and moving the entire switch up or down a bit before tightening the clamp again. The turn off level is adjusted next by moving a rubber stopper to a different point along the shaft on which the float moves up and down. The shaft has little points sticking out along the bottom part which grip this rubber stopper very securely. I had no trouble reaching down into the sump and adjusting this turn off level while doing my initial testing and setup. The switch generally feels solid in build quality. It engages when the float reaches the top of the shaft and pushes up a switch which is mounted inside the enclosed top of the switch. Again, this felt very solid and consistent. Once engaged, the switch stays on (seems to have some kind of spring inside) until the float goes down the shaft and reaches the rubber stopper at the bottom, where it drags the switch off. This gives great and precise adjustment range. Besides this float type of switch. the only other choices are the tether type and the pressure activated type. In my opinion this is the better option since the tether switch easily catches on things and the pressure switch cannot adjust the range of motion to allow. This product is highly recommended, both for the quality and functionality of the device but also the apparent good support from the vendor (called me within hours when I asked a question by email before purchasing).

I have a high water table that caused the Liberty Pumps 287 1/2-Horse Power 1-1/2-Inch Discharge 280-Series Automatic Submersible Sump Pump with VMF Switch to run every few minutes, even during dry weather (2008 house has 9' ceiling basement & is very close to a reservoir). Since the basement had flooded by several inches during 2011's Hurricane Irene during a blackout (prior to my purchase of the home), I was paranoid about ground water. Additionally, the previous owner had to replace the sump pump after only 3 years, so I wanted to minimize the on/off cycle, which not only is bad for the sump pump, but is annoying (constant on/off whirl heard from the main floor) and a waste of electricity. I first bought Glentronics, Inc. BWC1 Basement Watchdog Dual Float Sump Pump Switch with Controller to "raise" the water level switch. Installation for this piggyback switch was easy: 1. Plug the sump pump power plug into the back of the this device's power plug, then plug it into the wall power outlet. Note that the power plug is quite large in all dimensions, but it stayed put and didn't lean out at all. 2. Using the supplied metal ring and flat-head screw, tie the float along the sump pipe at the appropriate height, determined by your water table during a dry week. Note that ground water can still persist for days after a rain had stopped. 3. Test by lifting the bottom of the float with your finger or screw driver (or dump water into the sump pit). Using the Watchdog to "raise" the pump activation trigger--to about 2" below the basement surface--cut the sump pump activation to occur only every few hours, which was indeed an improvement. The switch reliably activated the pump. However, the switch was supposed to continue to electrify the plug's outlet for at least 10 seconds upon activation to ensure sufficient water has been pumped out, but mine only went on for a few seconds after water level receded below its float (often for a begin-end cycle of only ~5 seconds). The pump itself would have turned off upon its own float switch hitting bottom, but there was plenty of water still left during these early shutoffs. Manually lifting the Watchdog's float switch with a screwdriver would indeed activate the pump until the entire pit was empty. I later had installed a second pit and ( Zoeller 98-0001 115-Volt 1/2 Horse Power Model M98 Flow-Mate Automatic Cast Iron Single Phase Submersible Sump/Effluent Pump ) with another Watchdog (on separate, dedicated 15A outlet/circuit/fuse), but it had the same issue of turning off too early. After several months of looking for a better solution and much gnashing of teeth, I bought 2 of Little Giant RVMS-10 1/2 HP Piggyback Vertical Mechanical Float Switch , which are basically the same idea and installed the same way. The RVMS goes deeper into the pit since it's basically a long stick with a purely mechanical on/off float switch, but you can trim the stick's depth as needed. It also reliably pumps the desired depth of water for the expected duration (the depth of the float's stick: ~6.5"). We now go days without any water pumping. --- FYI, I additionally had installed Liberty Pumps SJ10 1-1/2-Inch Discharge SumpJet Water Powered Back-Up Pump for each of the 2 sump pits in case of pump failure or blackouts. No batteries to maintain or replace, and no time limit during extended blackouts. Only requirement is sufficient water pressure (I believe ~30 PSI; I actually needed the plumber to lower mine from "dangerous" 65 PSI). Also, You may want to consider also purchasing water alarms like BWD-HWA (takes a 9V battery), which will alert you if there's contact with water (e.g., sump pump failed). I also have these alarms around the house (under the sinks, behind the laundry, by a/c handlers, etc.), and they've proven very worthy (sump pump didn't run during a night blackout and water reached a threshold just under the water-powered pumps; laundry unknowingly had leaked when using jumbo load size). They'll pay for themselves in minutes vs water damage repairs.

my Zoeller m57 is a great pump, but the operational range for the float is simply too short, such that the pump switches on / off way too often. In part I wanted to get a replacement switch because the switch on the m57 is wearing out (switches do not last as long as the pump motor), but also because I wanted to get a float switch with a larger vertical range. I didn't want a tether because there's too many obstructions in my sump basin to potentially interfere with a tethered float that wanders around too much, but every vertical switch I've looked at only has a range of about 6.5 inches. I know I'm not the only person out there looking for a "longer" vertical switch, so let me explain what I did to increase the vertical range of this switch. I bought this vertical float switch (which does only have a range of about 6.5 inches) and then I found an old mouse cable that was of slightly smaller diameter than the rod of the switch and cut it to the length I wanted. I got a couple shrink wrap tubes and used them to attach the cable at the end of the existing switch, and now my vertical float switch has a range of approximately 12 inches. This switch only comes with a single rubber stopper to set the off position of the switch, but you can buy a second one to set the on position as well, just look in the plumbing section of any home improvement store. In summary, this vertical switch works well but is no longer than any other vertical float switch I've seen out there. However, with a little bit of DIY effort you can make it any length you want.

I had water damage in my basement couple of months ago. The float switch failed to activate the pump and flooded the basement. i went to local big box stores for a replacement and they all had the different kind of float switch which i did not like. I wanted something solid and last long. So i ordered from amazon and got delivered in two days!. Love it. The product is easy to install and it comes with the clamp as well. Just unplug the sump pump plug from the back of the old float switch plug and install this. Plug back the sump pump plug on the back of the new float switch and you are back to business again. It's been few months, it works lie charm.

This type of float switch sells in big box stores but there are drawbacks. The travel stem is shorter and they are a little pricier than this one. This installs easier and it fits in a pretty small space. My only concern is the travel stem is a little flimsy so the float ends up traveling on an angle (which could hit the side of the sump pit) Mine clears just fine with no problems. I would buy this again for another sump.

This is perfect for tight spaces. The other types of float switches out there need a lot of room in order to work i am using this with a pump in a 5 gallon bucket. works great...had to change the way it mounts for my use, but otherswise its perfect. The first one i bought lasted about 3 years, and probably would have lasted longer but i didnt keep things clean. the only thing i can see being a weak point is the float is held on at the bottom with a rubber stop, that i think might wear out before the switch does.

I will give this product one star because the length of the rope the ball slides up and down is small and it does not allow for a big range of level control. It is a pity that it does not say in the specs how long it is because it is critical for the range of flow control. I bought this product from Amazon thinking I can return if it does not work, but found out that it is sold by PlumberSurplus who will charge you 20% restocking fee plus you have to pay the shipping costs if you want to return it. I wish amazon did not advertise products from suppliers with different shipping / return policies.

It's just a matter of time before sump pump float switches fail. They are a good idea theoretically, but by design they will experience moisture and the contact points that start or start your sump pump will fail. Float switches, on the other hand, keep the key electrical components away from the water. This happened to my in-laws' pump. I installed this Little Giant Float Switch and it works great. As noted by one other reviewer, it would be nice if a bit more length were available, but it isn't critical. My in-laws are happy, so that makes me a very Happy Dad!