Backup sump pump and sizing question

[zando]

Hi all,
I am new to the site and the solar energy as a whole, and with somewhat limited understanding of electricity, so any replies - please have it in mind and explain as if you explain to a novice...
Here is what I have to do:
I have a regular sump pump powered by normal grid power. However - my sump pump works year round - it goes off every 10 min in the spring / summer, and every 1.5 - 2 hrs in the fall / winter. So far we havent had any extended power outages when we are not home (when we are home - I have a generator). the problem would be if there is an outage when we are not home... So what I want to do is to install a back up sump pump that in times of power outage runs off a deep cycle battery (can put more than one if I have to - so suggestions are welcome), and the battery is topped up by a solar panel. My questions in order:
- how many cycles can a deep cycle battery provide to an average sump pump that has to lift up the water at 10 ft?
- how big of a panel I need so when there is no other power - to fully charge the battery (that is still running to power the pump) so there is enough "juice" for the night time ( we are nead Calgary, Alberta - where we have long sunny days with a bit lower sun) and I have ideal roof exposure...
- what is the optimal design (by optimal - I mean not the cheapest, but built well enough to do the job and affordable at the same time)

Thank you all...

[Mike90250]

your best bet for backup, is a marine bilge pump, rated for the volume and lift your basement requires. It may need an enlarged sump to sit in, I don't know if it will fit in your existing well.

And I'd use one of the Genius series of trickle chargers, to keep a marine deep cycle battery topped off. No need to go solar, cause when the grid goes down, the sun is not likely shining at the time.
If you need longer run time, put 2, 6V golf cart batteries in series to get your 12V, paralleling two 12V batteries is not the best idea. True deep cycle batteries cost more & last longer, but marine & golf cart batteries are much more common.

[Naptown]

Home Depot sells a kit precisely for this application

[zando]

Home Depot sells a kit precisely for this application

Thanks both of you - the bilge pump is something I never thought of, and worth considering, and as far as Home Depot - have to check them out... I am, however, leaning towards starting a full size solar system - something I have wanted for years but never found it economical.
Have to mention that here in Canada (and oil rich Alberta) - you can forget about government green rebates, and other incentives.
I want to start with a panel or 2-3, and one by one to add components and grow it to larger system that will not only back up my sump but more than that.
I guess - will have to read many more threads...
thanks again,
A.

[inetdog]

- what is the optimal design (by optimal - I mean not the cheapest, but built well enough to do the job and affordable at the same time)

Thank you all...

How long are you likely to be away from home and dependent on the system operating independently during an outage?
You need to size the battery bank with that in mind. Including the fact that during winter's low sun angle and with storms you might not get any solar recharge at all for days in a row. And if you are not home, you might not be able to get back easily too.

[zando]

How long are you likely to be away from home and dependent on the system operating independently during an outage?
You need to size the battery bank with that in mind. Including the fact that during winter's low sun angle and with storms you might not get any solar recharge at all for days in a row. And if you are not home, you might not be able to get back easily too.

well, here is some info:
at it's peak my sump pump goes off every 7-8 minutes, or say 200 times per 24hrs. It pumps out 15 galons (approx) per cycle and it takes 25-30 sec to do it. So - say it works 2 hrs per 24 hrs.
During our "sump pimping" season we try to be home, but if we are not - would be a week (gone to a sunny destination to recharge our human batteries). But we try to be home when there is water... so - if we are to assume the worst - the power goes the day we leave (or the normal pump breaks that day), and there is no power for , say, 5 days (which has never happened before...) - and is not sunny at all... How many fully loaded marine batteries do I need to keep that bilge pump going?
And by the way - what are the advantages of bilge pump vs 12V sump pump - more energy efficient, reliable, cheaper? I have no experience with those kind of pumps...