ADDING AN ELECTRIC BILGE PUMP -HOW TO PLUMB?

[wingdiver]

And of course there is no other possible cause of water ingress! What about cockpit drain issues? Do you close yours? If so, what happens wen your cockpit fills with water and it goes down below. If you don't, there is another possible cause.
Recently saw a sinking - in a marina, presumably with shorepower connected - that was supposed to have been caused by a badly refitted strainer cover.
How would your closed seacock/no auto pump even start to deal with that?
Sometimes you have to think outside the box.
Maybe the pump would not have coped indefinitely in that, or any other, situation but you would hope someone would have wanted to know why the boat had an unscheduled waterfall out of the hull fitting (above the waterline) and alerted someone in authority.
I certainly feel happier with my system in place.

 

[mikefleetwood]

A few thoughts spring from recent postings:

Automatic bilge pumps are not just for boats left afloat unnatended. You can take on water while at sea without realising - when your feet are standing in water it's probably too late! As it happens, my friend's boat is hauled up the beach when not at sea, so no need to leave it switched on. Most of the water comes from taking on a wave, or from hauling wet gear, fish, etc.

Sea-cocks are not the only source of unexpected leaks! Apart from physical damage, skin fittings can leak, it rains and there are always waves (unless you have a really sheltered mooring). I know someone else who has a leaking stern tube.

The pump that failed had an integral strainer, but still gunk built up around the impeller, sufficient to stall the motor. I agree a fishing boat is a "dirtier" environment than a leasure craft, but nothing is fool-proof. Heavier wiring is not the key to keeping the pump goind regardless. The original wiring was partially in ring-main domestic cable - that's the bit that burnt out! Stall current can be very high, the manufacturers specify a fuse rting for a reason.

Sorry, beginning to ramble a bit.

Key points:

1 - Automatic bilge pump is a good idea (essential IMHO)
2 - By all means seperate it from the main panel, but make sure it has an isolator and fuse to protect it.
3 - make sure cable size and fuse rating are as the manufacturer specifies.