If you have a Basement Watchdog sump pump system installed in your home, you know the importance of having a reliable battery to power the system in case of a power outage. The Basement Watchdog battery that comes with the system is a standard 12V 18AH sealed lead acid battery.
While this OEM battery works well, it does need to be replaced every 3-5 years.
When it comes time to replace the battery, you may be wondering if you need to stick with the same Basement Watchdog battery, or if there are other alternatives that could work instead.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the pros and cons of various battery options so you can make an informed decision when choosing a replacement.
Alternatives To Basement Watchdog Battery
Here is a list of equivalents you can trust:
- Original Basement Watchdog Replacement Battery
- Mighty Max 12V 18AH SLA Battery
- Universal Power Group 12V 18AH SLA Battery
- ExpertPower 12V 18AH SLA Battery
- Watchdog AGM Battery Upgrade
- EnerSys Genesis 12V 18AH SLA Battery
- PowerStar 12V 18AH SLA Battery
- Amstron 12V 18AH Sealed Lead Acid Battery
- Chrome Battery 12V 18AH SLA Battery
Let’s talk about them in detail:
Original Basement Watchdog Replacement Battery
The simplest option is to replace your old battery with a new one from Basement Watchdog. Here are the key details on these OEM replacement batteries:
Pros:
- Guaranteed compatibility with your Watchdog system
- Ideal capacity at 18AH
- Sealed lead acid chemistry
- spill-proof safety
- 3-5 year life expectancy
- Readily available from Basement Watchdog dealers
Cons:
- More expensive than third-party options (usually $80-120)
- Can be inconvenient if dealers are not nearby
The Watchdog OEM batteries are a reliable and safe choice, even if they come at a premium cost. You can be 100% confident the replacement battery will work seamlessly with your system.
Mighty Max 12V 18AH SLA Battery
One of the most popular third-party replacement options is the Mighty Max 12V 18AH SLA battery. Here are the key details on this battery:
Pros:
- Identical 18AH capacity to Watchdog OEM
- Sealed lead acid chemistry
- Spill-proof and mountable design
- Much lower cost than Watchdog battery (usually $50 or less)
- 3-5 year service life
- Readily available online through Amazon, Home Depot, etc.
Cons:
- Not an exact OEM replacement, so lacks guaranteed compatibility
- Quality control can be hit or miss
The key tradeoff with the Mighty Max battery is lower cost in exchange for slightly more risk.
Most users report good experiences and have no issues using the Mighty Max as a replacement.
But there is a chance you get a bum battery, whereas the Watchdog OEM batteries have tighter quality control. Overall the Mighty Max is a solid choice if you want to save money.
Universal Power Group 12V 18AH SLA Battery
The Universal Power Group (UPG) 12V 18AH SLA battery is another popular third-party replacement choice:
Pros:
- 18AH capacity
- Sealed lead acid chemistry
- Spill and leak proof
- Lower cost than Watchdog OEM
- 3 year warranty
- Good availability online
Cons:
- Not guaranteed fully compatible with Watchdog system
- Shorter 3 year warranty instead of 3-5 years
The UPG battery offers very similar pros and cons as the Mighty Max – lower cost than OEM batteries but lacks guaranteed compatibility. UPG is a reputable brand though, so quality concerns are minimal. The shorter 3 year warranty is something to note however.
ExpertPower 12V 18AH SLA Battery
Here are the key considerations for the ExpertPower replacement battery:
Pros:
- Ideal 18AH capacity
- Sealed lead acid chemistry
- A cost-effective alternative to Watchdog OEM
- Decent availability online
Cons:
- No guaranteed compatibility
- Lesser known brand reputation
- Quality control questionable
The ExpertPower is one of the most affordable 12V 18AH SLA batteries available.
But the brand is lesser known, and there are some reports of DOA units or short lifetimes.
It may be worth considering if you want to minimize cost, but the quality is more uncertain.
Watchdog AGM Battery Upgrade
In addition to the standard 12V 18AH lead acid battery, Basement Watchdog also offers an upgraded absorbed glass mat (AGM) battery option:
Pros:
- High performance pure AGM chemistry
- Faster recharge times
- Extended 5-10 year service life
- Improved low temperature performance
- OEM replacement for guaranteed compatibility
Cons:
- Much higher cost than standard batteries ($150-200 range)
- Overkill if lead acid battery meets your needs
The key tradeoff with the AGM battery upgrade is much higher performance and longer lifetime comes at a steep premium cost. The AGM chemistry gives you some nice benefits, but standard SLA batteries are likely sufficient for most homes.
EnerSys Genesis 12V 18AH SLA Battery
The EnerSys Genesis is another quality SLA battery option:
Pros:
- 18AH capacity
- Sealed lead acid chemistry
- Costs less than the Basement Watchdog OEM battery
- 5 year full replacement warranty
- Good availability from retailers
Cons:
- Not guaranteed fully compatible with Watchdog system
- Lesser known brand compared to Mighty Max, for example
The EnerSys Genesis provides a cost-effective alternative to the OEM battery, backed by a strong 5 year warranty.
The brand recognition lags behind some options, but overall it’s a decent quality choice.
PowerStar 12V 18AH SLA Battery
Here is a rundown of the PowerStar SLA battery:
Pros:
- 18AH capacity
- Sealed lead acid chemistry
- Costs less than the Watchdog OEM equivalent
- Decent consumer reviews when used with sump pumps
Cons:
- No guaranteed compatibility
- Limited vendor availability
- Shorter 1 year warranty
The PowerStar is one of the most affordable SLA replacements, but the short 1 year warranty raises some red flags. It may serve as a temporary low-cost option, but longevity is uncertain.
Amstron 12V 18AH Sealed Lead Acid Battery
The Amstron battery offers similar pros and cons:
Pros:
- 18AH capacity as required
- Sealed lead acid chemistry
- Low cost alternative to Watchdog OEM
- Good availability online
Cons:
- No guaranteed compatibility
- Brand not specialized in batteries specifically
- Quality control issues reported
The Amstron is another very low cost battery option, but the general quality seems questionable based on reviews. There are likely better choices for a reliable Watchdog sump pump system battery replacement.
Chrome Battery 12V 18AH SLA Battery
And finally, here is a summary of the Chrome Battery option:
Pros:
- 18AH capacity
- Sealed lead acid chemistry
- Low price point option
Cons:
- No compatibility guarantee
- Very limited brand reputation
- Quality concerns based on reviews
The Chrome Battery lacks the brand recognition of most other replacements. And there are some reports of premature failures. It likely carries more risk than other third-party alternatives on this list.
Sizing Up Your Options
To summarize the key options:
- The Watchdog OEM battery provides guaranteed compatibility and quality at a premium cost.
- Third party SLA batteries from brands like Mighty Max, UPG, and ExpertPower offer huge cost savings but lack the full OEM guarantee. However, they mostly get the job done if you read reviews carefully.
- The upgraded Watchdog AGM battery brings top tier performance and extended lifespan for a high price.
Which route you choose depends on your budget, risk tolerance, and desired battery lifespan. Any of these options should functionally power a Watchdog backup sump pump, so you can’t go too wrong. Evaluate the pros and cons against your needs.
Also Read: 4DLT Battery Equivalents.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Now let’s review some common questions consumers have about Watchdog batteries:
The OEM 12V 18AH SLA battery is the recommended choice for guaranteed compatibility. Third party SLA batteries with the same specs will also work in most cases, albeit without the full compatibility guarantee. Look for reputable brands like Mighty Max, UPG, or ExpertPower.
Maintenance free batteries have sealed caps and cannot be refilled with distilled water. This limits their lifespan compared to standard refillable SLA batteries. They can be used with Basement Watchdog systems, but you’ll likely need to replace them more frequently than the standard 3-5 year service life.
Technically you can use any 12V DC battery with sufficient amp hour capacity to power your backup sump pump. However, SLA batteries are highly recommended since they are designed for deep cycle, high current drainage applications. Car batteries and marine batteries are not ideal substitutions.
Again, technically you can use any 12V battery. But for reliability, it is best to stick with a deep cycle SLA battery rated for 18AH or higher. Shallower cycle batteries like those used in cars and trucks are not engineered to repeatedly handle the high current demands of a sump pump.
Final Thoughts
Replacing the battery for your Basement Watchdog sump pump system is an important decision to keep your home protected. While the Watchdog OEM batteries are a foolproof choice, there are much more affordable third-party SLA options that will work well in most homes.
Evaluate the pros, cons and your specific needs to pick the best battery for your Watchdog system. And be sure to properly dispose of and recycle your old battery!
