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Zoeller 507-0008 Pre-Assembled Sump Pump Review: A Top Battery Backup System For $500

Whenever we’re contracted for a single family home sump pump installation, we’re often asked whether it’s worth spending a bit extra on a combination AC/DC system. Our answer is almost always yes! While it can be tempting to simply buy a good AC system (the best we’ve found is the Zoeller M267), we find it better to either have a dedicated DC backup pump (e..g, the Wayne WSM3300) or, if you don’t have one already, a combination AC/DC sump pump system. The point of such a system is to give your basement a chance to stay dry if you lose AC power during a flash flood or heavy rainfall. Investing a few hundred dollars ahead of time can save you thousands in basement cleanup and furniture and electronics replacement after a flood. So what systems are worth considering?

We’ve already reviewed the Wayne WSSM40V, which is our favorite combination AC/DC system on the market so far due to its combination of a good AC sump pump and a smart DC pump with self-test and telephoning capabilities. The Wayne WSS30V is a cheaper alternative also worth considering. Today we’ll take a look at another highly reliable system, the Zoeller 507-0008 Pre-assembled sump pump with battery backup and M53 pump. Combining a solid DC pump, the Zoeller Model 507-0005 Basement Sentry backup, with one of our favorite AC pumps, the Zoeller M53, the Zoeller 507-0008 is well worth considering for any homeowner or landlord interested in a low maintenance and long-lasting solution. You can read our full review below, but if you simply want to know whether it’s worth buying, we firmly believe it is, and you can buy it here.

Key Features of the Zoeller 507-0008 Sump Pump (60 Second Summary)

The Zoeller 507-0008 is a pre-assembled primary and battery backup combination submersible sump pump package. The main pump is AC-powered and is the Zoeller M53; the backup is DC-powered and is a Model 507 Basement Sentry backup. A 1/3rd horsepower motor powers the main pump while a 12 volt motor powers the backup. The primary pump has a maximum water flow rate of 2,580 gallons per hour at zero feet (1,380 GPH in the backup). We could not find warranty information. It is 19.2″ inches long, 13.5″ inches wide, and 21.5″ inches tall.

The Zoeller 507-0008 draws 4.7-9.7 amps and has a battery backup, although the battery is not included. You will need a 27, 29, or 31-size deep cycle battery with at least a 175 minute reserve capacity and maximum dimensions of 13″ in length, 7.5″ in width, and 9.5″ in height to fit the battery case. Multiple batteries can be used if an additional battery case with a hookup wire is ordered. The MK-E27-SLD-G is an example of a deep cycle battery we’ve reviewed that would work well with the Zoeller.

The power cord is 8 feet long and the entire apparatus weighs 53 pounds on our scale. Although the main discharge flow can reach 2,580 gallons per hour at zero feet, it drops to 2,040 gallons per hour at 10 feet, 1,140 gallons per hour at 15 feet, and the main pump is inoperative by 20 feet. The backup pump can pump up to 1,380 gallons per hour at zero feet. It drops to 900 GPH at 10 feet, 300 GPH at 15 feet, and shut-off occurs at 17.5 feet.

The working temperature spans 40-120 degrees Fahrenheit. Per the manual, you’ll need a sump pit at least 18″ in diameter and at least 24″ deep, although you can probably squeeze it into slightly narrower pits.

How Does the Zoeller 507-0008 Compare to the Wayne WSSM40V Sump Pump?

The primary differences between the Zoeller 507-0008 and the Wayne WSSM40V are in the sophistication of the backup pump; the Model 507 DC pump in the Zoeller is a hardworking and reliable battery-powered backup pump, but it doesn’t have the smart features of the WSSM40V’s WSM3300 DC sump. It’s not going to call you in an emergency, and it doesn’t perform monthly self tests. However, when it comes to reliability, the M53 main pump found in the Zoeller is more reliable than the CDU800 found in the Wayne (we’d estimate up to a 15-year lifespan in the Zoeller), which reduces the odds of your needing the backup pump’s functionality to begin with. It’s important to note that both the main and backup sump pumps in the WSSM40V are significantly faster than their respective pumps in the Zoeller; in fact, the backup pump in the Wayne is faster than the primary pump in the Zoeller. When you buy the Zoeller, you’re not buying speed so much as longevity.

Our Short and Long Term Experiences Installing and Using the Zoeller 507-0008 Sump Pump 

Installing the Zoeller 507-0008 is a snap, even if you don’t install sump pumps for a living. You simply cut your PVC pipe to fit and slide the pump into your sump pit. With the clamps and rubber coupling, you should be able to get a good seal. Remember you’ll also need to drop in a battery and plug in the charger so the battery doesn’t just run dry. The indicator lights should be green when the battery is charged and everything is in good condition. Keep in mind that the backup pump is tilted deliberately; you don’t need to straighten it.

Noise-wise, we have next to no complaints because it’s nearly inaudible when running; this backed up our experiences using the M53 by itself. Our long term feedback suggests it’s easy to get at least 10 years of consistent, trouble-free service from the Zoeller, and we’re aware of several homeowners and plumbers with maintenance-free installations at the 15-year mark.

Troubleshooting and Installation Tips to Get Your Zoeller 507-0008 Working Sooner

The top thing to remember when you install your Zoeller 507-0008 in your sump basin is that you’re going to need a 12 volt deep cycle battery to run it. If you don’t install one, you’ll have a good AC pump, but your backup DC pump won’t do anything for you when the power cuts out and the water starts rising. The MK E27-SLD-G is a good example of a compatible and reliable deep cycle battery. You can fit size 27, 29, or 31 batteries. With a 175-minute reserve capacity battery, you can expect about 7.5 hours of continuous operation. This translates to at least 4 days of intermittent operation, which should be more than enough time for you to get back into town or buy a generator if you’re still without power (perish the thought!).

Although the installation instructions state you should glue your pump assembly together, you might want to consider leaving things separate and simply holding the parts together with rubber hoses and clamps (the kinds used to connect PVC piping); this will allow you to replace elements that may break down in the long haul, such as your check valves.

Once you’ve installed your Zoeller 507-0008, it’s a good idea to test it by running water from a garden hose into your sump pump basin once you’ve turned off your main pump as well as the trickle charger of the backup pump; doing this will simulate a loss of power. When you do so, your backup pump should start working as soon as the float switch is triggered. If it doesn’t, you’ll want to adjust the float switch or positioning of the pump in your sump pit to make sure it does activate as needed.

You might want to consider widening your sump pit to give it more fill time, which also gives your sump pump more time to pump out water before risking overflow into your basement. It isn’t necessary for most homeowners, but if you live in a flood plain or an area with a high water table, it’s worth considering, given that this isn’t the fastest sump pump on the market.

Zoeller 507-0008 Sump Pump’s Pros, Cons, and Value Comparison

Overall, the Zoeller 507-0008 is one of the best combination AC/DC sump pumps on the market. It doesn’t have the smart features of the Wayne WSSM40V, but it does come with the rock solid reliability of the M53 AC pump and the equally durable Model 507 backup pump. Our recommendation would be to choose the Wayne if you’re looking for the communicative and self-monitoring abilities it includes and to choose the Zoeller if reliability is your highest priority. In either case, you’ll have two of the best combination sump pumps on the market.

You can buy the Zoeller 507-0008 here on Amazon. You can buy the Wayne WSSM40V here. You can buy the MK E27-SLD-G battery here. You can buy a cheaper 12 volt deep cycle battery here.

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

Zoeller 98-0001 M98 Flow Mate Submersible Sump Pump Review and M63, CDU1000, M267 Comparison

When recommending a quality AC sump pump to homeowners disappointed one too many times from budget box store sump pumps, we generally stick to one of two brands: Zoeller and Wayne. At the top of the rankings sits the Zoeller M267; this is the single best AC sump pump on the market in terms of maximum flow rates, grinding power, durability, and long-term reliability. However, as you spend less and less, you make more and more compromises; that’s just how the sump pump market works. At the $200-ish range, we typically recommend the Zoeller M63, Zoeller M57, or Wayne CDU1000. These pumps have been among the most reliable and best functioning AC sump pumps in our experience after the Zoeller M267. However, there’s another option at the $200 price range that we recommend with some reservation: the Zoeller 98-0001 M98 Flow-Mate Sump Pump. On paper, it’s one of the most powerful AC sump pumps on the market, but a number of premature failures has caused us to refrain from recommending it over the other pumps we’ve reviewed. If you get a good model, however, it works very well. Let’s take a closer look.

Key Features of the Zoeller M98 Sump Pump (60 Second Summary)

The Zoeller M98 sump pump is an automatic submersible sump pump designed for effluent (sewage) and dewatering (sump) work in sump pits, septic tanks, STEP systems, and low pressure pipe systems. It includes a 1/2 HP motor, a max flow rate of 4,320 gallons per hour, and features a 1 year warranty from installation date or 18 month warranty from manufacture date. It is 12 inches tall, 10-1/8 inches wide, and 8 inches deep.

The max head, or max pumping height, is 23 feet; the switch-on/switch-off heights are 3 inches and 9-1/2 inches respectively. There is a vertical float switch. It uses 4.7-9.4 amps and 115 or 230 volts; no battery backup is included. It weighs 39 pounds and includes a 15 foot power cord. Although it can pump up to 4,320 gallons per hour at 0 feet, it drops to 3,660 gph at 10 feet, 2,700 gph at 15 feet, and 1,500 gph at 20 feet. Shut-off occurs at 23 feet. The operational temperatures span 40-130 degrees Fahrenheit. The M98 is self-priming with full cast iron construction; the discharge size is 1-1/2″ NPT with a minimum required sump pit diameter of 15 inches.

How Does the Zoeller M98 Compare to the Zoeller M63, Wayne CDU1000, and Zoeller M267 Sump Pumps?

The Zoeller M98 features a stronger motor (1/2 vs .3 HP) than the M63, as well as a much faster max flow rate (4,320 gallons per hour vs 2,580 gph). However, the warranty is much shorter at 1 year in the M98 compared to 5 years in the M63. This is complicated by the fact that a number of M98s suffer, in our estimation, from premature failures due to a.) a poorly designed rubber boot covering the float switch lever, and b.) poor thermal management that kills capacitors.

In the first cause of early sump pump failure, the boot splits, compromising the integrity of the pump. Water gets in, destroys the electronics, and it’s game over. If that doesn’t get your pump, the thermal management issue can; if the capacitor overheats, it knocks the pump out of commission until it’s fixed. The replacement capacitors cost only $40 from Zoeller, but if you have a poorly designed M98, you can only expect 3-8 years of life before failure, depending on whether you have the boot issue or the capacitor issue. If you have a well designed M98, you can expect 8-16 years of life (which is still less than the 10-17 we’d expect from the M63). We don’t like gambling with sump pumps, and we’d recommend going with the M63 as a sure bet over the M98.

Compared to the Wayne CDU1000, the M98 comes up short in motor power (1/2 vs 1 HP), max flow rate (4,320 gph vs 5,400 gph) and warranty coverage (1 year vs 5 years). Because of the batch of M98s with poor thermal management, the 5-9 years of life we’d expect from the CDU1000 inspire more confidence than an uncertain future with the M98. To put it simply, we’d also recommend the CDU1000 over the M98.

Compared to the M267, there’s no practical reason beyond price to choose the M98. The M267 is far faster (7,680 gallons per hour vs 4,320 gallons per hour), it’s constructed far better, it’s capable of handling up to 2 inch solids (the CDU1000 isn’t rated for solid grinding while the other Zoellers are only rated for up to 1/2 inch solids), and you can typically expect between 10 and 20 years of useful life. There aren’t any well documented premature failure points. It’s simply a set-it-and-forget-it sump pump.

Our Short and Long Term Experiences Installing and Using the Zoeller M98 Sump Pump

As is typically the case with Zoeller pumps, installation is straightforward (connect discharge pipe, level pump, clear float switch, install check valve, plug in pump) and noise levels are low (especially with a silent check valve like the Brady check valve). The most significant issue, again, is that of long-term reliability. While there are plenty of M98s we’ve either installed or seen installed for a number of years, there are also a larger percentage of models we’ve seen fail than with any other sump pump we’ve installed. As we’ve noted above, if you have a problem-free M98, our long-term observations suggest you can get 8-16 years of life from it. However, if you’ve got a poorly designed one, you’ll be lucky to fall on the high end of our 3-8 year lifespan estimate.

Troubleshooting and Installation Tips to Get Your Zoeller M98 Working Sooner

Given the potential for catastrophic failures in the M98, it’s crucial to have a backup system accompanying it in your sump pit. You don’t want to risk a flooded basement with the best of pumps, but it’s even more important with a potentially flawed pump. If you’ve got a large budget, there isn’t a better DC backup pump than the Wayne WSM3300. However, on a smaller budget, we’d recommend the Wayne ESP25. In either case, you’ll also want a water alarm (which you’ll install above the backup float switch, with the backup float installed above the M98’s float switch). We like the Basement Watchdog. Remember that a backup sump pump and a water sensor will save you hours of time and potentially thousands of dollars over even one instance of a flooded basement after a heavy rain and power outage.

Zoeller M98 Sump Pump Pros, Cons, and Value Comparison

In conclusion, it’s hard for us to recommend the Zoeller M98 over the Zoeller M267 (the best choice) or the Zoeller M63 (the closest-priced quality equivalent) or the Wayne CDU1000 (another closely-priced equivalent). The M98 simply has too many points of failure compared to the other three pumps, and even though the majority of M98s out there won’t fail prematurely, there are too many that have for our tastes. We’d recommend the M63 if you want the most reliable AC sump pump out there at the $200 mark, the CDU1000 for the fastest AC sump pump at the $200 mark, and the M267 for the fastest and most reliable AC sump pump under $400. We’d only recommend the M98 if you either a.) are sure of the design of your particular model or b.) have a backup pump installed and are ready to replace the M98 with one of the above pumps if it fails prematurely.

You can buy the Zoeller M98 here, but we’d suggest you instead buy the Zoeller M267 here on Amazon. You can buy the Zoeller M63 here. You can buy the Wayne CDU1000 here. You can buy the Wayne ESP25 here or buy the Wayne WSM3300 here. You can buy a water alarm here. You can buy a silent check valve here.

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