Sump pumps are one of the most critical pieces of equipment in any home. They are responsible for keeping your basement or crawl space dry by pumping out accumulated water. By 2023, the worldwide sump and submersible pump market is expected to reach $3.3 billion. A good sump pump will run quietly and efficiently, providing years of trouble-free operation.
The Wayne CDU980E is a top-of-the-line submersible sump pump that is designed for use in both residential and commercial applications. This pump is built to last, with a cast iron housing and stainless steel motor that can withstand heavy use. It also features a thermal overload protection system to help prevent damage from overheating.
The Wayne CDU980E can handle large volumes of water, making it an ideal choice for homes with a high water table or for commercial properties that are subject to flooding. In addition, this pump can move up to 4600 gallons per hour (GPH), making short work of even the most severe flooding problem.
This blog post will comprehensively review the Wayne CDU980E sump pump, highlighting its features, benefits, and drawbacks. We’ll also examine how this pump stacks up against some of its competitors.
First Impressions
The Wayne CDU980E is a well-built and solid-looking sump pump. It has a cast iron housing with a powder-coated finish that helps resist corrosion. The stainless steel motor is designed for continuous operation and can handle solids up to 1-1/2 inches in diameter.
This pump also comes with a pre-assembled power cord that is 10 feet long. This is a nice feature, as it eliminates the need to go out and buy a separate cord. The Wayne CDU980E also has an integrated float switch that can be used to activate the pump when water levels rise automatically.
Customer Feedback and Ratings
The Wayne CDU980E has an average customer rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars of 2,588 global ratings on Amazon.com. 95% of the ratings are either 5-star or 4-star, and only 3% of customers provided a 1-star rating!
Customers appreciate the pump’s solid construction and its ability to handle large volumes of water quickly and efficiently. However, a few customers have expressed concerns about the pump’s longevity.
Benefits and Drawbacks
PROS:
- Tough stainless steel housing
- Cast iron impeller and base for durability
- Highly responsive switch
- Mighty motor with an excellent pumping capacity
- A fully submersible power cord protects against short-circuiting, etc.
- Well-designed switch guard for protection against damage during movement
- Unbelievable five years of warranty coverage
CONS
- Handle a bit too small
- The power cord is a bit short.
- INDOOR USE ONLY - This 3/4 HP WAYNE basement sump pump is perfect to keep your basement dry during heavy water flow. Whether it’s rain, snow melting, etc. WAYNE model CDU980E can pump up to 5,490 GPH to keep your basement dry.
- TOUGH AND DURABLE - Corrosion-resistant stainless steel motor housing and fasteners come with a cast-iron volute that provides long life in tough sump pump applications.
- EFFICIENT DESIGN - The top suction design eliminates air lock and minimizes clogging from any debris in the bottom of the sump pit. Easy to install in about 15 minutes with no need to drill a weep hole!
- ADDITIONAL FEATURES - 1-1/2” NPT discharge for compliance with building codes. The vertical float switch has been tested to 1 million cycles for long-lasting use.
- QUALITY YOU DESERVE - Proudly assembled in the USA for quality you can trust. Warrantied for 5 years for dependable, efficient, & ultra-quiet performance.
Strongest Features
The Wayne CDU980E comes with some impressive features that are worth highlighting.
Build Quality and Design
The Wayne CDU980E 58321-WYN3 Sump Pump is one of the most compatible sump pumps available, thanks to the short but efficient switch design and the discharge being closer to the primary sump pump body than that of the average sump pump. Indeed, this proximity balances the slight rise in width caused by the comparatively thicker motor housing and the equally large float.
Complementing the design is the high quality of the materials. The motor housing is made of durable stainless steel, capable of handling the pressure of the sump water and the occasional collision with heavy solid objects in the sump water without difficulty. Some users, however, complained that the housing lacks the epoxy paint, which is characteristic of some other brands and is therefore liable to corrode and leak.
However, this minority of users also admitted that even after years of use, no actual signs of corrosion or leakage could be found, which testifies to the care taken by Wayne to provide quality products every time. However, the product does contain a cast iron impeller and base, which allows the pump to work efficiently even when the impeller has to collide with sharp and heavy objects while pumping water.
Major External Parts (discharge, handle, and power cord)
The Wayne CDU980E Submersible Cast Iron and Stainless Steel Sump Pump with Vertical Float Switch comes with a 1-1/2″ NPT discharge which, as we have seen, is located quite close to the main body of the sump pump. Unlike some low-quality sump pumps, Wayne has taken adequate care to ensure a smooth and molded design that is not easily damaged or blocked.
Though the product is not very heavy, proper handling procedure demands the presence of a handle. Wayne has provided the product with a stainless steel handle at the top, which, however, is slightly tiny considering the overall size of the sump pump. The power cord is fully submersible and can reach power points at moderate distances. However, it has been criticized for being unable to reach distances achieved by some similarly priced sump pumps.
Motor and Sealing
The most important part of the sump pump is the motor. Wayne has provided this product with a 3/4 HP motor that can easily beat the ½ and 1/3 HP motors that the competition boasts of, thereby making this product an excellent value for money proposition.
Equally important is the flow rate, however, and as expected, the powerful motor achieves a maximum of 4600 gallons per hour. If this weren’t enough, the product offers a 10′ head lift, which is again better than what the competition can manage.
The product is designed to utilize the “top suction” mechanism of the motor to remove the sump water efficiently. This design eliminates the airlocks and prevents the solid particles collected at the bottom of the sump pit from blocking the vital parts of the pump. Rounding off the excellent motor’s capabilities is the hermetic sealing which separates the motor and vital circuitry from coming into contact with the water outside.
Impeller and Switch Assembly
The impeller is the part of the product that is made of cast iron, but unlike some poorly designed products, the impeller on the Wayne CDU980E Sump Pump does not weigh down the product and thereby reduces efficiency. Indeed, while being light enough for the pump to function efficiently, the impeller’s specially engineered design allows it to move water more efficiently than an average sump pump.
As our reviews of sump pumps indicate, a vital parameter to consider is the switch assembly and switch protection. The Wayne CDU980E 58321-WYN3 Sump Pump offers a sturdy polypropylene float that is light enough to be highly sensitive to the subtle changes in water level.
The automatic switch is operated by the motion of the stainless steel arm connected to the float. As one would expect, the switch is adequately protected by a large and well-molded stainless steel guard that ensures that there is never any dislocation of the precision apparatus when raising or lowering the sump pump to the sump.
Warranty
The product comes with a stunning 5 years warranty on all parts (including motor and switch assembly), making it one of the best sump pumps in terms of the warranty coverage available. However, as expected, the warranty must be availed by taking the product to the nearest service center.
To know more about premium Wayne pumps:
Is It Worth Purchasing?
The Wayne CDU980E Submersible Cast Iron and Stainless Steel Sump Pump is undoubtedly one of the best sump pumps available on the market. The product’s powerful motor, high flow rate, large head lift, and great warranty coverage makes it a must-have for anyone who wants the best possible value for money.
Though it is a bit on the expensive side, the product more than makes up for it with its features and performance. Therefore, we recommend this product to anyone looking for an excellent sump pump.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Wayne sump pumps any good?
Yes, Wayne sump pumps are excellent. They offer a great combination of power, performance, and features, and they come with an excellent warranty.
Do Wayne sump pumps come with a warranty?
Yes, Wayne sump pumps have a 5-year warranty on all parts (including the motor and switch assembly).
How many horsepower sump pump do I need?
It depends on your specific needs. For example, a 1/3 HP sump pump should be sufficient for most people, but if you have a larger basement or more water, you may need a 1/2 HP or even a 3/4 HP sump pump.
How much is a 3/4 horsepower well pump?
The cost depends on the brand and model, but you can expect to pay around $200 for a 3/4 HP well pump.
Conclusion
With the CDU980E Stainless Steel Sump Pump model, Wayne has demonstrated its ability to excel in all departments as far as primary sump pumps are concerned. Indeed, it is nearly impossible to find a product that combines efficiency and compact design in such high proportions without raising the price too prohibitively.
Indeed, if we carefully weigh out the pros listed above and compare them to the few cons, we realize that this sump pump is one of the best options for any home that requires a durable, efficient yet light, and compact sump pump.
