If you’re buying or installing a sewage pump, perhaps the most basic choice you’ll need to make involves whether to pay less but more often or whether to pay more for long term stability. We’ve spent far too much time cleaning up sewage from cheap ejectors that failed within months or a few years to ever recommend them. The older we get, the more we want things to just work, and to work for a damn long time. This is why these days, we typically only use and recommend sewage grinder pumps for any sewage work in residential or commercial-grade settings. Cheap sewage pumps are a very poor investment in time, money, and peace of mind.

We’re not saying you can’t buy a reliable sewage ejector pump for your home, AirBnB, restaurant, office, or small business. Sewage pumps like the Liberty Pumps LE51A or Zoeller M267 will do a great job and last for years while handling everything that’s supposed to be flushed down a toilet. But people don’t always follow rules, and if there’s a risk of difficult solids like towels, disposable wipes, rags, towels, and feminine hygiene products being flushed down the drain, you’ll want a pump capable of shredding them instead of simply getting clogged by them. That means a good grinder pump for when you don’t have good tenants, conscientious employees, or do have dearly loved but careless family members.

We recently reviewed several solid grinders from the Liberty Pumps PRG series, including the automatic PRG101A and the manual PRG101m and PRG102m pumps, and found them excellent choices below $1,000. Today we’ll review another automatic ProVore, the Liberty Pumps PRG102A ProVore PRG Series Automatic Residential Grinder Pump. If you’re in a hurry, it’s the same great pump as the PRG101A with 230V requirements, and you can buy it here. Our full review is below.

Key Features of the Liberty Pumps PRG102A Sewage Grinder Pump (60 Second Summary)

The Liberty Pumps PRG102A is an automatic residential sewage grinder pump. It will also work in a range of situations requiring a standard sewage ejector pump. It features a 1 hp electric motor, a 2,760 gallon per hour maximum flow rate, a maximum pumping height of 50 feet, and a 3 year Liberty Pumps warranty. It is 7-1/8 inches deep, 11 inches wide, 17-5/8 inches tall and weighs 58 pounds.

The PRG102A features a cast iron shell and impeller as well as a stainless steel cutter and cutter plate. It includes an oil-filled and thermally protected motor that runs on 230 volts single phase,  draws 6 amps at full load, and features a locked rotor amp draw of 23.7 amps. Thermal overload protection is set at 221F. The 102A includes a 10-foot quick disconnect power cord; you can buy the PRG102A-2 to have an identical model with a 25-foot power cord. It can handle liquids up to 140F and features an automatic mechanical wide angle float switch and piggyback plug. The discharge is a 2 inch NPT connection.

The maximum pumping speed of 2,760 GPH at zero feet scales down to 2,610 GPH at 10 feet, 2,220 GPH at 20 feet, 1,680 GPH at 30 feet, 960 GPH at 40 feet, and shuts off at the max head of 50 feet.

How Does the Liberty Pumps PRG102A Compare to the Liberty Pumps PRG101A?

The only difference between the PRG102A and the PRG101A is in electrical requirements. The “101” models draw 115 volts single phase, 12 amps, and 47.5 at locked rotor state; the “102” models draw 230 volts single phase, 6 amps under load, and 23.7 under a locked rotor. Additionally, the “m-2” variations include a 25-foot power cord instead of the standard 10-foot cord.

Our Short and Long Term Experiences Installing and Using the Liberty Pumps PRG102A  Grinder Pump

To install the PRG102A, you’re either going to need a plumber or someone who was one in a former life; it’s not any more difficult to install than any other sewage pump, grinder or ejector, but by definition, whenever you’re working in or around a pit or tank used for sewage, you’re going to have more work on your hands. A sump pump installation is far easier and cleaner. We’d suggest buying a good wet / dry vacuum if you’re determined to install it on your own, as well as every potential accessory you might need ahead of time. Time wise, you’ll want to budget at least a full day (a weekend would be even better) so you don’t feel pressured to rush things, because this isn’t a job you’re going to want to have to repeat the following day because you skipped steps or did shoddy work when trying to finish quickly.

Once done, you can expect a good amount of reliability from the PRG102A; like other members of the PRG series, 15 to 25 years of active service should be a reasonable expectation, although nothing is ever guaranteed. Most owners we’ve come across have been highly satisfied, especially those who have dealt with failing sewage pumps in the past or who simply have wanted to be proactive to avoid getting into such situations.

Troubleshooting and Installation Tips to Get Your Liberty Pumps PRG102A Working Sooner

When installing the PRG102A, besides experience, you’ll also want to have patience and a number of accessories (PVC pipes and cutters, cement, check valves, and lots of couplings and adapters) handy so you don’t need to make trips to the store while covered in filth. Here are some basic troubleshooting guides to keep in mind. As always, any handling of the pump or adjustments should only be done with the pump disconnected from any power source (whether at the pump or at an outlet).

If the pump isn’t running, you’re likely either dealing with a lack of power (make sure it’s plugged in), a blown fuse, the wrong voltage, an obstruction keeping the switch from moving into an on position, not enough liquid, or a defective switch. If it’s an electrical issue, besides making sure it’s plugged in, you can also call an electrician to check your wiring, connections, voltage, and capacity. If it’s a blocked switch, you’ll want to make sure it can move clearly in the pit or tank. If the switch is bad, you’ll need to swap it out, and if your liquid is low, you’ll need to make sure it can rise enough to trip the switch.

If your pump won’t turn off, it’ll be switch issue again–either the switch will be physically blocked due to the side of the basin or something similar or the switch itself will be burned out. If it’s an obstruction issue, move the pump or switch (after disconnecting power, of course). If the switch is bad, you’ll need to remove and replace it.

Liberty Pumps PRG102A Pump Pros, Cons, and Value Comparison

In conclusion, much like with the PRG101A, the PRG102A is easily one of the best deals in sewage grinder pumps to be had below the 4-figure price point. There’s no question that it’s going to cost you more than you’d spend on a good sewer ejector pump like the LE51A or M267, and you might have some trouble justifying the extra dollars at first. But when you price out the cost of even a single plumber visit on a weekend or a holiday (because Murphy’s law dictates that this is when you’re going to have a sewage emergency), you’re going to come out ahead by putting in a sewage grinder like the PRG102A (or PRG101A) from the start instead of after one too many things that should have gone into the wastebasket three feet away from the toilet went into the toilet instead. Take it from us; if you have a business to run, tenants to manage, or simply a household to keep happy, having a grinder in your tank or pit is one of the best investments you can make for financial and psychological peace of mind.

You can buy the Liberty Pumps PRG102A here on Amazon, or buy the PRG102A-2 with a 25-foot cord here. You can buy the Liberty Pumps PRG101A here.  You can buy the Liberty Pumps LE51A here. You can buy the Zoeller M267 here. You can buy a good wet / dry vacuum here. You can buy a silent 2 inch  check valve here.

If you find our work at PumpThatSump helpful, you can support our relentless reviewing of every sump pump on the market by shopping via our Amazon link for whatever you need to make your house a home. Despite being self-employed, we promise not to spend it all on health insurance.

If you’re in the market for a sewer pump, it can be tempting to buy the cheapest model you find. But we’ve learned the hard way that paying less often means paying often (while spending hours knee-deep in sewage). We’ve reached the point where we’d rather pay more and buy peace of mind. When it comes to sewage pumps, that means buying sewage grinder pumps over sewage ejector pumps for most residential and all commercial-grade sewage jobs.

Will your house, rental, or small business collapse in a sea of sewage if you don’t buy a grinder pump? No. There are many reliable sewage ejector pumps on the market (e.g., the Zoeller M267 or Liberty Pumps LE51A) that can process 2 inch solids. However, if you need a pump that can shred tough solids like feminine hygiene products, rags, wipes, towels, and napkins, you’ll want to trust your home or business to something stronger than an ejector pump. The first time you don’t need to handle an expensive and unforeseen plumbing emergency, you’ll be glad you invested in a sewage grinder pump. None of the things above should be flushed, but there are people who flush them anyway, and a grinder pump will keep your plumbing system going when they do.

We recently looked at one of the best grinders under $1,000, the Liberty Pumps PRG101A. Today we’re going to look at several manual grinders in the same PRG series: the Liberty Pumps PRG101m, the Liberty Pumps PRG101m-2, the Liberty Pumps PRG102m, and the Liberty Pumps PRG102m-2. With the addition of a simple sewage pump controller, they’ll support a home or small business for decades. Our full review is below, and you can buy them here:  PRG101m, PRG101m-2, PRG102m, and PRG102m-2.

Key Features of the Liberty Pumps PRG101m, PRG101m-2, PRG102m, and PRG102m-2 Sewage Grinder Pumps (60 Second Summary)

The Liberty Pumps PRG101m, PRG101m-2, PRG102m, and PRG102m-2 are manual submersible residential sewage grinder pumps that can also be installed in the majority of applications requiring a standard sewage ejector pump. The differences between them are as follows: the “m” models include a 10-foot quick disconnect power cord while the “m-2” models upgrade the power cord to 25 feet. The “101” models run on 115 volts single phase and draw 12 amps at full load with a locked rotor amp draw of 47.5. The “102” models run on 230 volts single phase,  draw 6 amps at full load, and the locked rotor amp draw is 23.7. Aside from that, all four models are identical. For brevity, they will be referred to as the “manual PRG” for the rest of this review.

The manual PRG features a 1 hp electric motor, a max pumping rate of 2,760 gallons per hour, a 50 foot maximum head, and a 3 year warranty. It is 17-5/8 inches tall, 11 inches wide, 7-1/8 inches deep, and weighs 57 pounds. It has a class 30 cast iron body, a class 25 cast iron impeller, and a 440 stainless steel cutter and cutter plate. The motor is oil-filled, thermally protected, and has thermal overload protection at 221F. The maximum liquid temperature is 140F. No float switch is included, and the discharge is 2 inch NPT.

The pumping rate drops from 2,760 GPH at zero feet to 2,610 GPH at 10 feet, 2,220 GPH at 20 feet, 1,680 GPH at 30 feet, 960 GPH at 40 feet, and shut off occurs at the max head of 50 feet.

How Do the Liberty Pumps PRG101m / PRG102m Compare to the Liberty Pumps PRG101A?

The primary difference between the manual PRG and the PRG101A is the lack of a float switch in the manual PRGs. As a result, a sump float switch will need to be purchased separately and connected; we recommend the HC5000 Sewage Pump Controller for the “101” pumps. Other differences involve power usage; while the “101” manual and identical models are the same, the “102” models use 230 volts single phase,  draw 6 amps at full load, and the locked rotor amp draw is 23.7 instead of 115, 12, and 47.5 respectively. Additionally, the “m-2” models, like the “A-2”, feature a 25-foot power cord instead of a 10-foot power cord.

Our Short and Long Term Experiences Installing and Using the Liberty Pumps PRG101m / PRG102m Grinder Pumps

Installing the manual PRG isn’t that different from any other sewage pump installation; we’d simply recommend taking your time and making sure you have all necessary tools on hand (including extra accessories) before beginning the job so you don’t get stuck for hours or days due to breaking an essential part. Similarly, it’s a good idea to have a good wet / dry vacuum if you’re performing a DIY installation. The only significant difference between installing a manual sewage pump and an automatic one is that you’re going to have to by and install a separate sump pump controller instead of setting a built-in float switch. If the thought of managing two devices instead of one gives you a headache, you’d probably be better off going with one of the automatic PRG grinders like the PRG101A; it’ll give you one less thing to buy and will also give you more control over sump pump functionality than a separate controller.

Once installed, you can expect a high degree of reliability; the happiest clients we’ve seen tend to be either residential or commercial owners who bought it to replace failing sewage pumps or who took the preemptive approach and installed it before disaster struck. You should be able to expect 15 to 25 years of solid functionality, although you’d do well to check on the pump far more frequently in order to make sure whatever controller you’ve installed is working well.

Troubleshooting and Installation Tips to Get Your Liberty Pumps PRG101m / PRG102m Working Sooner

The single most important thing to keep in mind with a manual PRG installation is that you’re going to need a sewage pump controller, or sewer float switch. These are manual pumps; they aren’t going to turn themselves on or off without one. If you want an automatic float switch built in, you want the PRG1010A. However, if you’re buying a manual PRG like the PRG101m/-2 or PRG102m/-2, you’ll need something like the HC5000 Sewage Pump Controller. It’s a cheap and compact computer that connects to your sewage pump, automatically determines how large your pit is, and turns your pump on and off for you. It’s extremely reliable (rated to 350,000 cycles), extremely affordable at under $1,000, and only takes minutes to install; you don’t even need to open your sump pit to install it. We’ve seen it installed in hundreds of manual sump pumps over the years and recommend it heartily for any manual pump or automatic pump with a failed mechanical switch. It’s important to note, however, that the HC5000 only works with 115-120V pumps, so it won’t work with either of the “102” pumps, but only with the “101” pumps.

Liberty Pumps PRG101m / PRG102m Pump Pros, Cons, and Value Comparison

In conclusion, if you’re looking for a manual sewage grinder pump, these four are the best you’re going to find under $1,000. They’re powerful, efficient, and extremely reliable. You’ll just need to connect them to a sewage float switch like the HC5000 (“101m/-2” models only)  in order to have automatic functionality. If you don’t want to buy an additional component but want everything else in the PRG series, you’ll want the PRG101A or PRG101A-2 (which includes a 25-foot cord instead of a 10 footer), as both feature automatic float switches. You can’t go wrong with anything in this series; these are grinder pumps you can trust with your home or business for decades to come.

You can buy the Liberty Pumps PRG101m, the Liberty Pumps PRG101m-2, the Liberty Pumps PRG102m, and the Liberty Pumps PRG102m-2. You can buy the HC5000 Sewage Pump Controller here. For automatic pump switching, you can buy the Liberty Pumps PRG101A here or the PRG101A-2 here. You can buy the Liberty Pumps LE51A here. You can buy a good wet / dry vacuum here and a silent 2 inch  check valve here.

If you find our work at PumpThatSump helpful, you can support our relentless reviewing of every sump pump on the market by shopping via our Amazon link for whatever you need to make your house a home. Despite being self-employed, we promise not to spend it all on health insurance.