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Basement Watchdog BWC1 Switch Controller Review

9

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Average

Revainrating 3.5 out of 5  
Rating 
3.6
🌊 Water Pumps, Parts & Accessories, 🚰 Rough Plumbing

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img 1 attached to Basement Watchdog BWC1 Switch Controller

Description of Basement Watchdog BWC1 Switch Controller

Compatible with most sump pumps. Large floats detect 1/4 in. water level rises, automatically activating the sump pump. Second float provides additional protection to ensure automatic pump activation. Protective float switch cage helps keep debris and wires from interfering with float movement; vented, curved bottom reduces debris build-up under the float. Allows the sump pump to run for an additional 10 seconds to drain excess water from the sump pit.

Reviews

Global ratings 9
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Type of review

Revainrating 5 out of 5

Watchdog works as advertised

I plugged it into a socket and it has been working really well since I've had it. What I couldn't find in the manual is how to connect it to the pump I had. You mount the float on the pressure pipe, plug in the watchdog connector and then connect the pump to it. Then ensure that the float switch on the pump is left in the on position. It works very well and works within 10 seconds after it speaks. I also recommend using this with a check valve. It's really easy to install with a simple flat…

Pros
  • Lots of positive vibes
Cons
  • -

Works great as a great value replacement for Glentronics DFC1 PHCC Pro Series Dual Float Controller. (https://www.amazon.com/Glentronics-Inc-DFC1-Float-Controller/dp/B00648OIKA). $35 for one compared to $55 for the other. As far as I can tell it's the same, only one has been renamed to the "professional" version. I bought a Glentronics, Inc. sump. PS-C11 PHCC (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006JVV78S) and while the sump itself works great, after about 9 months the float regulator started…

Pros
  • Stylish and modern design
Cons
  • Good but not great

Revainrating 1 out of 5

Too good to be true

I bought this switch a few years ago but didn't use it until I needed it. I thought it would be a great idea to let the backup switch take over if the first one stopped working since all the other switches I was using were failing. It turned out too good to be true. Before the first switch could fail, the switch box to which the drain pump was connected failed. None of the switches work. Update: I bought two of these switches at the same time. The second also failed in the control box before…

Pros
  • Certified
Cons
  • Nothing

Revainrating 4 out of 5

It works, but BEWARE!

I installed mine and it worked fine but after seeing crash reports I decided to do a colonoscopy on this device. Here's what I found. In fact, this block has only 1 microcircuit, 1 relay and 2 transistors. After measuring the voltage, I found that 16.55 volts appeared on pin 8 of the microcircuit power supply. The IC's nominal supply voltage is 5-15 VDC, with 16 VDC being the absolute maximum. The relay has a 12V, 14.5V DC coil. All my measurements were made at a mains voltage of 125 VAC. This…

Pros
  • Nice package
Cons
  • Lots of stuff

Revainrating 5 out of 5

The switch is the perfect solution if your installation is blocked.

The switch is the ideal solution if the installation is jammed or clogged. But here's the best part: the company. Long story but good story for gears. My pump is about five years old and pumps fine when the switch is on. I installed this new switch and it worked fine, but after an hour or two the GFCI turned on. This has never happened before. I restarted it and it worked again. I called Basement Watchdog tech support and they told me my pump was bad. It made no sense so I removed the new…

Pros
  • Everything is fine!
Cons
  • doubt

Revainrating 3 out of 5

The 1st block proved unreliable after 20 months.

Failed as others pointed out after 20 months. First peeled off, then glued. Luckily I caught him before he burned the pump. I'll do a teardown to see why. I will post an update if there is a design flaw or poorly chosen component that fails and is easily repaired. I had high hopes that it would last much longer than a mechanical switch. updated 11/21/14. After monitoring at home, it got stuck again. I tapped the float cage and it went out. There was a bit of limescale on the plastic but I…

Pros
  • This is amazing
Cons
  • Reliability

Revainrating 4 out of 5

Repair for Big Dog in Rough Plumbing

I used this system because one of the dual float switches on my battery backup pump failed and I couldn't find a factory replacement. My backup system is the watchdog of the big dog basement. I clipped a new controller; thrown away; and the new float switches are wired in parallel to the remaining function switches of my original system. It seems to work. The heavy insulation on the wire to the switches covers two insulated wires, #18 stranded copper, indicating that the two float switches are…

Pros
  • Multiple Competitors
Cons
  • Disappearing

We bought this to install in a dry outdoor well in a location that will flood during heavy rain. This product is not intended for this use but works for us in a very small dry well that does not have room for a traditional float drain pump. I am attaching photos with a ruler showing the controller so you can see the size and installation. It took several emails to get sizing information from the manufacturer. The controller is just under 2 inches deep, not counting the pins, 3.5 inches high and

Pros
  • Price
Cons
  • Volume

Revainrating 1 out of 5

It will fail, burn out your pump and flood your basement

I have purchased and installed two of these units in two different locations. They fail when overheating internally and try to keep up when it's raining heavily and you need them most. The first unit worked for 21 months and then broke down like others where the pump worked constantly. Luckily I heard the pump run dry before it melted. I replaced this switch with a regular float switch. During the storms of the past few weeks, my pump with the float switch turns on for 23 seconds and off for 4…

Pros
  • Great overall performance
Cons
  • Nothing here