SUGGESTION: Zoeller should have product registration on this type of pump (or all pumps) so when there are recalls or known issues customers can be notified. I was literally laughed at by one of their distributors when asked why a Zoeller water powered pump had failed. He laughed and told me they don't even sell that unit any longer as it is well documented it had reliability issues. It would have been nice if the manufactured would have notified its customers that a new, more reliable unit was recommended BEFORE their finished basements flood!
Why are there (nearly) no videos on the 540 water back up pump? if this pump has been out for over 4 years now why is no one using this? I'm guessing its lack of confidence as Zoeller's history with water powered back up pumps is not very good. I have installed multiple Zoeller water powered back up pumps in the past (not this unit) and they are plagued with problems so until I see more professionals using this I remain cautious. I do love the electric pumps.
Good afternoon! Our installation instructions for this product have a lot of the details it sounds like you're looking for. You can check that out here: zoellerpumps.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/FM3170.pdf (parts list on page 7) (Installation of suction pipe on page 3) Also, please note the suction pipe is NOT included. I hope this helps!
Interested in 540 Flex. Currently this is the ONLY video I could find which is disappointing. Review on amazon says the horizontal application (which I am interested in) would not lift water 10 feet so the pump did not work until installed vertically near the pit. I definitely would not buy this until I see more installs documented on video...I don't need to be their BETA tester. I currently have a Zoeller Home Guard Max pump installed which has failed after approximately 6 years. The Max did work the first time my primary pump failed so I was happy (this was just weeks after install). BUT...the second time my primary pump failed (6 years after install) it DID NOT WORK which caused my CARPETED basement to flood. And yes, the pump was cycled multiple times per year as recommended. The cost to rebuild the Max is half the price of the new pump and I was told by the (Plumbing) Supply House that "there is a reason they discontinued the Home Guard Max" model. Zoeller's last 2 models - Home Guard and Home Guard Max were both sub par (to put it nicely). Perhaps Zoeller could provide a 50% credit on this new model if I return one of their previous models that failed? In fairness in my work (not a plumber) I have seen many water powered pumps fail over the long term & its usually due to lack of maintenance but I was aware of this and cycled my pump regularly. It's just EXTREMELY FRUSTRATING when these pumps fail...the money spent feels wasted and the damage caused can be heartbreaking. My advice...make sure you have flood insurance in your homeowners policy!
So if the FLEX does not work in the horizontal application perhaps it should be called RIDGID! Sorry, I couldn't resist the pun (Ridgid brand pumps also known for frequent failure)
Good morning, I'm sorry to hear that you've had trouble with our water-powered backup models. If you reach out to our Product Support department, they might be able to give you some insight into our 540 Flex model. You can reach them by emailing zcotechnical@zoeller.com or calling 1-800-928-7867 and pressing option 6. I hope this helps.
SUGGESTION: Zoeller should have product registration on this type of pump (or all pumps) so when there are recalls or known issues customers can be notified. I was literally laughed at by one of their distributors when asked why a Zoeller water powered pump had failed. He laughed and told me they don't even sell that unit any longer as it is well documented it had reliability issues. It would have been nice if the manufactured would have notified its customers that a new, more reliable unit was recommended BEFORE their finished basements flood!
Why are there (nearly) no videos on the 540 water back up pump? if this pump has been out for over 4 years now why is no one using this? I'm guessing its lack of confidence as Zoeller's history with water powered back up pumps is not very good. I have installed multiple Zoeller water powered back up pumps in the past (not this unit) and they are plagued with problems so until I see more professionals using this I remain cautious. I do love the electric pumps.
What is included with the pump? succion pipe and float? How deep can we place the bottom of the succion pipe?
Good afternoon! Our installation instructions for this product have a lot of the details it sounds like you're looking for.
You can check that out here:
zoellerpumps.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/FM3170.pdf
(parts list on page 7) (Installation of suction pipe on page 3)
Also, please note the suction pipe is NOT included. I hope this helps!
Interested in 540 Flex. Currently this is the ONLY video I could find which is disappointing. Review on amazon says the horizontal application (which I am interested in) would not lift water 10 feet so the pump did not work until installed vertically near the pit. I definitely would not buy this until I see more installs documented on video...I don't need to be their BETA tester.
I currently have a Zoeller Home Guard Max pump installed which has failed after approximately 6 years. The Max did work the first time my primary pump failed so I was happy (this was just weeks after install). BUT...the second time my primary pump failed (6 years after install) it DID NOT WORK which caused my CARPETED basement to flood. And yes, the pump was cycled multiple times per year as recommended. The cost to rebuild the Max is half the price of the new pump and I was told by the (Plumbing) Supply House that "there is a reason they discontinued the Home Guard Max" model. Zoeller's last 2 models - Home Guard and Home Guard Max were both sub par (to put it nicely). Perhaps Zoeller could provide a 50% credit on this new model if I return one of their previous models that failed?
In fairness in my work (not a plumber) I have seen many water powered pumps fail over the long term & its usually due to lack of maintenance but I was aware of this and cycled my pump regularly. It's just EXTREMELY FRUSTRATING when these pumps fail...the money spent feels wasted and the damage caused can be heartbreaking. My advice...make sure you have flood insurance in your homeowners policy!
So if the FLEX does not work in the horizontal application perhaps it should be called RIDGID! Sorry, I couldn't resist the pun (Ridgid brand pumps also known for frequent failure)
Good morning, I'm sorry to hear that you've had trouble with our water-powered backup models. If you reach out to our Product Support department, they might be able to give you some insight into our 540 Flex model. You can reach them by emailing zcotechnical@zoeller.com or calling 1-800-928-7867 and pressing option 6. I hope this helps.
Was he wearing his covid mask while doing this presentation?