[HayZee518]

I looked at the zoeller site and from what I saw, the back up pump won't kick in until the water level in the sump extends up [above] the ac pump and the level causes the dc pump's float to actuate. there is no specs for measurements from the bottom of the ac pump body to the float assembly for the dc backup pump. but from the looks of things and visualizing what you have, the dc pump will be well above a 5 gal plastic bucket. almost looks like the [pumps] should be mounted in a sump hole four feet deep.