Best combo system in backup sump pumps
A preassembled 1/3 HP primary plus 12 V backup that drops into a pit as small as 10 in, with dual floats on both pumps. The backup pump itself is modest.
Our score: 7.6/10 out of 10Researched, not lab-tested
- Backup flow at 10 ft
- 1,000 gal/h
- Switch
- Dual float switch
- Motor
- 0.33 HP
- Flow at 10 ft
- 3,100 gal/h
Is it right for you?
Pros
- Primary and backup come plumbed together, check valves fitted
- Fits a sump pit as small as 10 in wide and 14 in deep
- Primary moves 3,100 GPH at 10 ft; cast-iron AC pump
- Dual float switches on both pumps
- Canadian and US manuals; CSA main pump, cUL float and controller
Cons
- Backup pump moves only 1,000 GPH at 10 ft, 15 ft maximum head
- 2-year base warranty (a year more each for its battery and registration)
- About half an hour of pumping left when the battery alarm sounds
- No self-test described in the manual
- Best for
- Replacing an old pump and adding a backup in one job, especially in a narrow pit with no room for a separate backup.
- Not for
- Wet basements where the backup must keep up with heavy inflow, or owners who want phone alerts.
Our verdict
The Combo CITE-33 solves a common problem: a pit too narrow for a separate backup pump. It arrives as one assembly, a 1/3 HP cast-iron AC pump and a 12 V backup joined by a wye fitting, with the check valves, elbows and pipe already glued, and Glentronics says it fits a pit as small as 10 in wide and 14 in deep.
The AC pump moves 3,100 gallons an hour at 10 ft with a 22 ft maximum head. The backup is much smaller: 1,000 gallons an hour at 10 ft and 15 ft at most. Glentronics rates it at about 80 hours on its BW-27AGM battery at a 10 percent duty cycle, which describes light, occasional pumping rather than a pit filling in a storm. If your backup must keep pace with heavy inflow, look at the Zoeller Aquanot 508 or Liberty 442-10A instead. It has a Canadian manual and CSA and cUL marks.
Installing and maintaining it
The assembly stands about 18-1/2 in from pump base to the wye. Plug it into a grounded 3-prong outlet, at least 4 ft above the floor if possible, with no extension cord, and keep the control units off the floor and away from water. Basement Watchdog recommends its BW-27AGM battery (sold separately).
Once or twice a year: lift both floats, clear the pit, strainer and float cage, refill the pit to check both pumps, check the 3/16 in air holes and clean the battery terminals. Don’t spray corrosion protection on the terminals afterwards; the manual says it can stop the system charging. When the battery alarm sounds in an outage, about half an hour of pumping is left; a car battery can stand in for an emergency.
Safety: Keep the backup controller and battery off the floor. Charging batteries give off gas, so keep the area ventilated. If the basement is already flooded, stay out of the water while anything electrical could be live and ask your electric utility to cut the power; our guide to the first hours after a basement floods goes step by step.
Specs
Basement Watchdog Combo CITE-33 Primary and Battery Backup Sump Pump System
Backup
| Backup flow at 10 ft | 1,000 gal/h |
|---|---|
| Works in an outage | Yes |
| Battery | 12 V AGM, BW-27AGM recommended (not included) |
Pump
| Switch | Dual float switch |
|---|---|
| Minimum pit width | 10 in |
| Maximum lift | 22 ft |
| Housing | Cast iron |
| Motor | 0.33 HP |
| Flow at 10 ft | 3,100 gal/h |
Alerts
| Phone alerts | No |
|---|---|
| Alarm | Yes |
Other details
| Warranty | 2 years |
|---|---|
| Safety listing | CSA (main pump); cUL (primary float switch and controller) |
Maker’s figures, checked 4 Nov 2026.
Basement Watchdog CITE-33 questions
Will the CITE-33 fit my small sump pit?
Glentronics says it fits a pit as small as 10 in wide and 14 in deep; the assembly stands about 18-1/2 in from the pump base to the wye.
How strong is the backup pump?
1,000 gallons an hour at 10 ft, with a 15 ft maximum head. The AC primary pump moves 3,100 gallons an hour at 10 ft.
How long is the warranty?
Two years when used as a sump pump, plus a year if you use Basement Watchdog’s BW-27AGM battery and another year for registering online within 60 days.
What does the battery alarm mean during an outage?
According to the manual, about half an hour of pumping time is left. Recharge or swap the battery; in an emergency a car battery can stand in.
