Zoeller 53-0002 N53 Mighty-Mate Non-Automatic Submersible Pump, 115V

If you want a set and forget type sump pump, the Zoeller 53 series is arguably the best option, ASSUMING THAT YOU GET THE CORRECT CONFIGURATION. There are endless reviews of 53 series pumps with built in vertical float switches failing prematurely because the built-in float switch failed. There are almost no reviews indicating that any other part of the pump failed prematurely. So by far the better option would be to get the non-automatic version of this pump and equip it with a tethered piggyback type float switch, making it automatic, but also eliminating the primary cause of this pump’s failure—the built-in float switch. Less is more with sump pumps—rugged simplicity rules. Tethered piggyback float switches have decades long track records for reliable function. Built-in vertical float switches much less so. If a piggyback float switch fails you can still use the pump in an emergency by plugging it directly into an outlet. And you can easily replace a defective external float switch without touching the pump. If for some reason you don’t like tethered float switches, you can still use a non-built-in piggyback vertical float switch that mounts to the sump’s discharge pipe rather than being built into the pump itself. This also would be a better option than a pump with a built-in float switch. The one con? Zoeller makes a heavier duty version of the 53 series pump called the 63 series that has a cast iron impeller, a cast iron base, a lighted plug and a longer warranty. But they ONLY make the 63 series with a built in float switch. I wonder at times if Zoeller promotes its pumps with built-in floats because the pumps fail faster and that way Zoeller sells more pumps. Be that as it may, the 53 series pumps with a Zoeller or a PumpSpy tethered float switch is the best current solution for a reliable and long lasting 1/3 hp sump pump.

Compact and more than powerful enough for my sump requirements replacing my failed Big-Box 1/2 HP unit. Reliable big name manufacturer with good warranty. Additional draw for this model is that it's built with no internal float switch: Previous other manufacturer units I've owned have internal float switches which failed before the pumps failed, requiring me to install external sump controller switches (not expensive) which made trouble shooting much easier. Why gamble and pay extra for an internal switch if you might end up replacing it with an external switch later? Solid unit, easy install and good advice from manufacturer's help phone line when necessary. It's worked flawlessly for a few months, which obviously doesn't yet tell me anything about long term reliability. But it seems like a more powerful and better built unit than the last two, which each lasted about 10 years.

My local hardware stores only had low-quality pumps that cost more than this one (they are big stores too!). Zoeller's a good brand, so happy to get it here for cheaper. Just picking this up you can feel the quality. Almost all cast-iron, weighs around 30 pounds. Make sure you drill the weep hole low in the basin, since this pump is really powerful. Easy to install, works like a pump should. DO NOT get the automatic version of this or any other sump pump. You do NOT want an integrated switch system. When the switches fail (and they do, often), you need to be able to pin point the problem quickly and replace the necessary part. Get an electronic piggy-back switch that this pump can plug into. They are more expensive (about $80) but last over 10 years as opposed to 2. You don't want a switch going out on you during a rainstorm.

I purchased this pump to replace my existing Zoeller pump that is over 50 years young. The old pump is still working, but, after many years of running for days at a time during every spring and summer, it started to make noise. I have replaced the old pump with the new one and it runs very quiet. The old pump is at the shop to be rebuilt and the mechanic told me to hang onto it because after repairing it will last another 50 years. The old pump had the built in float switch which required service twice due to the float switch gasket drying out and leaking, so I had the float and switch removed and the switch box sealed replacing with a separate extension wired float switch and the problem was gone. This is why I purchased the model without the built in float and installed it with the separate extension wired float, which is bullet proof. You can’t go wrong with a Zoeller pump or the separate wired float switch.

I use this sump pump all the time so the item itself is great quality. No issues there. Received this in an outer box too big for the heavy inside box....so the box was pretty roughed up. It also had oil stains on the inner box containing the pump. The pump appears fine...wont know til I have to use it.

Installed is a Zoeller main pump (float less) with a DC Zoeller backup pump. Originally was installed with Wayne primary pump but the float stuck on occasion because of the tight space. To eliminate this failure, installed Zoeller Mighty Mate float-less that is triggered by the Level Guard Switch. This new design has resulted more water to be pumped in one cycle (approx 10 gals) instead of more cycles with less gals per cycle. Wayne disbursed approx (4 gal per cycle). In addition ,installed PumpSpy to monitor cycles, power outage notifications and high water sensor notifications. I test power outage, high water sensors and assure backup works every month. Backup batter is heavy duty DEKA 8G31 that should give me weeks of backup capability. The unit has worked twice in one year with 3-4 hour power outages. Installation for these units is not for the novice. Correct fittings and height adjustments are needed. Monthly testing is a must to assure against failure.

This pump is QUIET and solid! If you've been using those light weight .5 HP pumps you get for about $80 at a local box store and have had to replace them every 3-4 years make sure to really check out your setup! Our pumps kept dying, either the switches, motors or, in the case of the last one, the casing. Yeah, the casing! From corrosion, and repetitive hits from the startup torque. It was a FloTec FPOS3250A that had already had its switch break and replaced. It was only 3.5 years old. This new unit doesn't display any external evidence of torque; like exit pipe jarring or shaking. And it is dead quiet! With previous pumps you could hear the hum, then the 'sucking' as it got to the bottom. It was so loud you could hear it from the basement to the main part of the house, with doors closed, when nothing else was going on. I can't even tell the Zoeller has cycled, standing right next to it, without watching the water level. We have a 24" deep sump and this Zoeller unit is being paired with a piggyback floating switch, and after a bit of adjusting it turns on right at the top of the sump pit (1" below the intake and 2" below the Watchdog Water Alarm) and turns off right where you'd get water streaming out of the pump vent hole (~ 3"), for ~ 20" removeable water. Compare that to the 7.5" of travel from the 'plunger' style float. The .5 HP FloTec emptied its water in ~8 seconds and the .33 HP Zoeller now uses ~46 seconds. It seems the main culprit of our pumps dying is 'short cycling', during the wet season the pump would cycle on every few minutes. We haven't had a good test for the Zoeller yet, but timing using a fully open faucet took ~9 minutes. So, 9m + 46s (~6 starts per hour) versus 2m + 10s (~27 starts per hour). I can't blame FloTec for me not doing the math earlier. Originally I was going to replace this with the updated version of the last one (like the ones before; because ~$80 is way less than $140) but decided to go for it and if this unit lasts 4-5 times longer it will have been well worth it!

Zoeller makes the best pumps. They don't rust, run very quietly and seem to outperform higher HP models from other companies.

Pump works great and is very dependable.

VERY HEAVY DUTY PUMP WORKS BETTER THAN MY OLD 1/2 HP

Works great

Mixed feelings. On one hand the pump seems to work well - in my tests it pushes water out of my sump quickly (I have water coming only during very heavy rains, so could only do tests with adding water in there myself), on another hand - the brand new item has a bit of rust on it and was shipped in a very thin box, which barely survived UPS delivery, even though it was taped all over. The plastic bottom of the pump got damaged in transit - nothing critical, so I didn't bother to return/exchange, but still enough to upset me. This means the quality of that plastic part isn't great either.

Works great, the sound is much lower than other sumps but there's still some audible noise when the switch goes off and the pump comes to an abrupt stop. The pump is super efficient maybe too efficient for my small sump pit which is why i hear the sump switch off. Much better quality than your local home dept store.