Auto bilge pump - anyone tried one of these?

[webcraft]

.
Seems ridiculously cheap . . .

https://www.amazon.co.uk/SEAFLO-LPM-Automatic-Bilge-Pump/dp/B01MQJAVF2/

750GPM, built in float switch


- W

 

[sarabande]

Looks horribly like a "passing off" copy of a Rule. In particular, the colours. Though their website has hundreds of models. Why not ask them about their guaranteed MTBF (Mean Time Between Failure) ?


One of the Amazon reviews says that the pump keeps trying to pump water, so the sensor/delay function may not be as clever as the Rule one.

 

[webcraft]

Looks horribly like a "passing off" copy of a Rule. In particular, the colours. Though their website has hundreds of models. Why not ask them about their guaranteed MTBF (Mean Time Between Failure) ?


One of the Amazon reviews says that the pump keeps trying to pump water, so the sensor/delay function may not be as clever as the Rule one.

It has a two-year warranty

- W

 

[sarabande]

Hmm, no point in a two or ten year warranty if you have sunk. You need to compare the Rule and Seaflo MTBF figures to make a decent value judgement.

 

[webcraft]

One of the Amazon reviews says that the pump keeps trying to pump water, so the sensor/delay function may not be as clever as the Rule one.

I can't find this review?

- W

 

[Blue_mischief]

Thought this article useful in context of bilge pump capacity.

http://www.boatus.com/magazine/2014/december/bilge-pump-capacity.asp

 

[webcraft]

Thought this article useful in context of bilge pump capacity.

http://www.boatus.com/magazine/2014/december/bilge-pump-capacity.asp

Thanks, yes, looks like I need a minimum of 900GPH. Now looking at this low-profile Rule automatic pump. Again, interested to know if anyone has installed one.

https://marinestore.co.uk/Rule_LoPro_Automatic_Bilge_Pump_900GPH_12V.html

It has a backflow check valve, which bilge pump manufacturers usually recommend NOT fitting, so that was a bit of a surprise


- W

 

[DownWest]

Had two of those Seaflo pumps fail recently. Both had issues with the internal float switch. One sunk the boat.

Correction: Sold as Osculati. But otherwise identical to the photo.
I would steer clear and spend a bit more on Rule.

On the non-return valve bit. In a case with a small sump, it happened that the amount in the long discharge hose was enough to flow back and restart the pump. Which then pumped it out until it ran dry, then it flowed back...etc. Fitted a non return valve and it solved the problem. Cors, diaphram pumps have NRVs in them but are much more expensive and bigger, usually not in the sump either, so need space elsewhere.

 

[superheat6k]

I installed a Seaflo diaphragm pump as FW water pump on my last boat - very quiet, powerful and reliable, so I fitted the same on my current boat.

I have just installed a shower sump with a similar Seaflo to that shown in your picture. Yes they are cheap, and from my personal experience well worth the money and as reliable as any other simple pump of this style.

In my experience the days of rubbish coming from China are a thing of the past.

I would add the Rule flappy float switch on my last boat turned out to be the culprit causing massive zinc loss due to stray current when the switch seals failed and let salty bilge water in a +VE current flow out to wreak havoc.

 

[Puggy]

Thanks, yes, looks like I need a minimum of 900GPH. Now looking at this low-profile Rule automatic pump. Again, interested to know if anyone has installed one.

It has a backflow check valve, which bilge pump manufacturers usually recommend NOT fitting, so that was a bit of a surprise


- W

yes I have one - works well. Drains to quite a low level (if that makes sense). Has two level settings. Mine is fitted in the well at the base of my keel stepped mast so works fairly regularly as I have never managed to stop my mast leaking when it rains, and it just works. I have a check valve otherwise it pumps out, stops, the water runs back, it fires again and off we go again.

 

[webcraft]

yes I have one - works well. Drains to quite a low level (if that makes sense). Has two level settings. Mine is fitted in the well at the base of my keel stepped mast so works fairly regularly as I have never managed to stop my mast leaking when it rains, and it just works. I have a check valve otherwise it pumps out, stops, the water runs back, it fires again and off we go again.

Thanks Puggy. I need to measure the bilge, but this looks like the answer.

- W