Wayne CDU800 Review: Heavy-Duty 1/2 HP Submersible Cast Iron and Steel Sump Pump

A sump pump is an essential piece of equipment for many homeowners, particularly those living in areas prone to flooding. The Wayne CDU800 is a heavy-duty submersible sump pump designed for use in areas where flooding is a risk.

This pump is made from cast iron and steel, making it durable and long-lasting. In addition, it has a 1/2 HP motor, making it powerful enough to move water quickly and efficiently. The Wayne CDU800 also has a float switch that will activate the pump when the water level rises to a certain point.

This blog post will look at the features of the Wayne CDU800 and what makes it an effective sump pump for use in areas prone to flooding.

Contents

First Impressions

The Wayne CDU800 is a heavy-duty submersible sump pump made from cast iron and steel. This makes the pump durable and long-lasting. In addition, the design of the pump is such that it can be used in areas where flooding is a risk.

The Wayne CDU800 has a 1/2 HP motor, making it powerful enough to move water quickly and efficiently. The float switch will activate the pump when the water level rises to a certain point. This is an important feature as it means that the pump will start working automatically when it is needed.

Wayne’s sump pumps often appear similar to the layman, making some users consider them similar in configuration. However, they are never identical in terms of the features and performance offered. This is not to say that the products of Wayne are anything but value for money, but instead that they provide value in different ways.

Customer Feedback and Ratings

The Wayne CDU800 has positive customer feedback. Out of the 888 global customer ratings, 96% are either 5-star or 4-star, making the overall rating 4.8 out of 5.

Many users find that the pump is effective and easy to use. There are some complaints about the pump’s noise, but this is to be expected with any sump pump. Overall, the Wayne CDU800 is an effective and durable sump pump designed for use in areas where flooding is a risk.

Benefits and Drawbacks

PROS:

  • Compact and efficient design by Wayne
  • Body made of cast iron for superior longevity
  • Molded cast iron discharge for superior water removal
  • The submersible power cord is of sufficient length for easy installation
  • Excellent 1/2 HP motor with stunning 4500 GPH at 5′ head
  • Good maximum head ensures wide adaptability of the product
  • Highly responsive bipolar switch
  • Good warranty on all parts

CONS:

  • Handle small for people with large hands, cannot be bent
  • The switch guard could have been made of cast iron
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WAYNE CDU800 1/2 HP Submersible Cast Iron and Steel Sump Pump With Integrated Vertical Float Switch
  • Indoor Use Only - This 1/2 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 CDU800 can pump up to 5,100 GPH to keep your basement dry.
  • Tough And Durable - Corrosion-resistant epoxy coated steel motor housing and stainless steel 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, up to 10 time more than our competitors.
  • Quality You Deserve - Proudly assembled in the USA for quality you can trust. Warrantied for 3 years for dependable, efficient, & ultra-quiet performance.

Strongest Features

The Wayne CDU800 comes with a lot of features for a sump pump.

Build Quality and Design

As mentioned above, Wayne pumps generally have a standard design comprising a rather thick motor housing, a well-molded discharge, and the switch assembly. Together, these ensure that the product is compact and contains no protruding parts that may hinder the flow of water or get damaged by solid particles in the sump.

The Wayne CDU800 1/2 HP Cast Iron Submersible Sump Pump follows this tried and tested design, except that unlike many similarly priced sump pumps (of both Wayne and other companies), it uses cast iron instead of steel. As is well known, cast iron is more sturdy and capable of handling extreme water pressure during storms, etc.

Furthermore, there is a layer of corrosion-resistant coating, which ensures that the housing does not rust. If that weren’t enough, the base of the pump is also made of cast iron, thus avoiding the longevity problems associated with materials like plastic.

Major External Parts (Discharge, Power Cord, and Handle)

The discharge of the Wayne CDU800 is made of high-quality cast iron, which ensures this vital part against damage due to impact from heavy pebbles, etc. Further, it is so designed that it efficiently assists the motor in removing the maximum amount of water without getting clogged with debris.

The fact that the discharge has a 1-1/2″ NPT diameter ensures that most standard pipes of this diameter can function with this sump pump, thereby saving one the trouble of using valves, etc, to reduce the pipe diameter.

The power cord is insulated and submersible, allowing the user to install the sump pump without having to worry about electrical shocks, etc. Furthermore, the power cord is of decent length, which precludes the necessity of multiple modifications to the house’s electrical wiring before the pump can be used efficiently.

Wayne has provided a stainless steel handle for the pump, which is fixed and cannot be bent as per convenience. Unfortunately, this, and the fact that it is rather small for a person with large hands, makes the handle one of the rare shortcomings of this sump pump.

Motor and Sealing

The heart of any sump pump is its motor, and thankfully, the Wayne CDU800 comes with a powerful 1/2 HP motor capable of working for long hours without suffering any decline in productivity. It can achieve a consistent output of 5100 gallons per hour.

Complementing this excellent motor is the sealing. Wayne has used a superior ceramic seal that allows neither water to flow into the motor nor oil to flow out of it. Coupled with superior quality, well-oiled ball bearings, this device is one of the best sump pumps in terms of motor and sealing quality.

Impeller and Switch Assembly

Wayne knows the importance of using an impeller that can run efficiently even when assaulted by pebbles and other solid particles swirling around with the water in the sump. Cast iron has proved to be the best solution in this situation; hence, we find that the Wayne CDU800 has been provided with a high-quality cast iron impeller. Even better, the impeller’s design allows it to move water rapidly so that the discharge can efficiently transfer it into the outlet pipes even during the rainy season when flooding is a real possibility.

The switch assembly comprises a thick but highly reliable PVC float connected via a steel arm to the switch. When the water rises, the float is pushed upwards, applying pressure on the arm and triggering the switch. The switch itself is bipolar with a provision for auto-shutdown should there be great fluctuation of power supply and/or extreme heating of the motor. This ensures that the switch doubles up as a safety mechanism that ensures the security of both the sump pump and the house’s wiring.

The CDU800 is protected by a stainless steel switch guard, which extends to a distance sufficient to protect the large float. Some users complained that the steel could, on occasion, be dented if the pump collided with the sides of the sump, but they added that despite this denting, the guard continued to serve its function of protecting the switch well.

Is It Worth Purchasing?

If you are looking for a high-quality, durable, and feature-rich sump pump that doesn’t break the bank, then the Wayne CDU800 is perfect. It comes with a powerful motor, superior sealing, an excellent impeller, and a reliable switch assembly, making it one of the best sump pumps on the market today.

Even better, it is quite easy to install and comes with a three-year warranty from Wayne, which shows how confident the company is about the quality of its product.

So, if you are in the market for a new sump pump, give the Wayne CDU800 a try – you definitely won’t be disappointed!

Watch the video to have a better look into the features of the pump:

Frequently Asked Questions

How many watts does a Wayne sump pump use?

The generator’s start-up watts are 2,220 for the pump alone.

Do I need a 1/3 or 1/2 HP sump pump?

If you have a small sump pit, you may be able to get by with a 1/3 HP pump. However, if your sump pit is larger, or if you live in an area with a lot of rainfall, you may need a 1/2 HP pump.

Image Courtesy: Global Market Insights

How much does a half-horsepower sump pump cost?

It depends on the brand, but a 1/2 hp sump pump typically costs between $100 and $200.

What is the warranty on a Wayne sump pump?

The warranty on a Wayne sump pump varies by model, but most have a 3-year warranty.

Are Wayne sump pumps any good?

Wayne sump pumps are some of the best on the market. They are well-made, durable, and have various features that make them a good choice for most homes.

Conclusion

The Wayne CDU800 brings the best of Wayne’s expertise in building quality products that are both powerful and compact. Though this perhaps led them to sacrifice a larger handle for a smaller one, the ability of this sump pump to pump impressive levels of water even at an exceptional maximum head. The extraordinary performance of the impeller and the efficiency of the discharge prove that Wayne left no stone unturned to ensure quality in the core parts of this pump.

Indeed, let’s consider these features alongside the 3-year warranty that Wayne offers. We realize that this product is a strong competitor for the position of the most reliable sump pump in the below $200 price bracket.

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Bill

Bill

Bill is a DIY plumber, handyman, and homeowner with more than a decade of experience. He has replaced and repaired sump pumps, backup pumps, float switches, check valves, and many other things around his family home. An engineer and tinkerer at heart, he is always looking to see how things work and taking on new home projects that help him grow his skillsets. He is a husband and father of two boys, has a bachelors degree in Computer Engineer and minor in Mathematics and likes to make homebrew beer in his free time.

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