Auto Bilge Pump - Recommendations please

Philiz

Philiz

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Staffordshire Moorlands U.K.
www.shabiera.co.uk
I'm slightly embarrased to admit the only bilge pump I have on our boat is the original equipment manually switched one.

I'm planning on putting in an additional pump with built in float switch together with an audible alarm.

I've noticed that there are several types, some have a built in mechanical float switch, others have a reed switch mechanism and there are some which spin up every so often and switch on if they sense water resistance against the impellor.

Does anyone have any recommendations regarding type, reliability etc.?

Thanks all.
 
No recommendations about type but get the biggest most powerful one you can. The figures on the box are a maximum performance and by the time you add a meter or two of head it will be severely reduced.

A 1500gph pump may only output half that, or even less, at 1 meter head.
 
neale said:
No recommendations about type but get the biggest most powerful one you can. The figures on the box are a maximum performance and by the time you add a meter or two of head it will be severely reduced.

A 1500gph pump may only output half that, or even less, at 1 meter head.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I intend getting the biggest one I can fit in the space I have and still be able to unclip it from the grille.
 
Philiz said:
I'm slightly embarrased to admit the only bilge pump I have on our boat is the original equipment manually switched one.

I'm planning on putting in an additional pump with built in float switch together with an audible alarm.

I've noticed that there are several types, some have a built in mechanical float switch, others have a reed switch mechanism and there are some which spin up every so often and switch on if they sense water resistance against the impellor.

Does anyone have any recommendations regarding type, reliability etc.?

Thanks all.
Click to expand...


Funny you should say that Phil. I've just had a call to say my bilge alarm was going off.

I've found that all bilge pumps and float switches are unreliable, so your better having them seperate, then theres only one bit to fix.

Then, I've got a seperate system of high water alarm with a big claxton in the cockpit. It sounds like it's done it's job and told the whole marina that theres a problem.
 
hlb said:
Funny you should say that Phil. I've just had a call to say my bilge alarm was going off.

I've found that all bilge pumps and float switches are unreliable, so your better having them seperate, then theres only one bit to fix..
Click to expand...

That's my view, but just wondered if anyone knew if the later ones were better.

hlb said:
Then, I've got a seperate system of high water alarm with a big claxton in the cockpit. It sounds like it's done it's job and told the whole marina that theres a problem.
Click to expand...

The seperate high water alarm is a good idea, but doesn't that just go off if the bilge pump isn't coping with the water level for some reason?
 
omega2 said:
Rulemate 1100 or bigger, no float switch getting jammed/burned out. Fit and forget.

you may find them cheaper elswhere

http://www.yachtmailchandlery.com/rulemate-automatic-1100-gph-12v-electric-bilge-pump-p-248.html
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Thanks Omega2, I've been looking at those but wondered if the built in float switch might be a weakness. I take it you've had no probs though so I'll have another look. I like in the ad link you send it says RRP £84.99 but they're asking £85.78. The VAT increase I suppose but still reads a bit strange!
 
Philiz said:
I'm slightly embarrased to admit the only bilge pump I have on our boat is the original equipment manually switched one.

I'm planning on putting in an additional pump with built in float switch together with an audible alarm.

I've noticed that there are several types, some have a built in mechanical float switch, others have a reed switch mechanism and there are some which spin up every so often and switch on if they sense water resistance against the impellor.

Does anyone have any recommendations regarding type, reliability etc.?

Thanks all.
Click to expand...


i have a diaphragm PAR pump ( now 14 yrs old ) up in the lazerette switched by one of Salty Johns solid state switches.
float switches are Crap & un reliable & eventually leak
 
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Upgraded our bilge pumps last year. Fistly checked that two auto jabscos worked OK (they did). Then added a big whale pump and separate rule float switch and wired in a cabin alarm.

This was prompted by realising that the pumps that came on the boat were a bit weedy and not up to much and there was no alarm if they operated. And, if the electric was off, they did not operate at all. So the new one is the biggest one that could fit, has a new dedicated large outlet as low as possible to lose the least amount of capacity and is wired direct to the domestic battery bank. It also has a visible and audible alarm. My worst fear was gaining a ingress of water (somehow - damage or hose giving up - whatever) whilst up on the plane, it collecting in the stern and then only knowing about it when the engines stopped. I wired in a test switch and an emergency mute switch too. Probably never need it, but its there if we do.
 
Trouble with the integral float switches is, you cant test them without filling the boat with water. Another problem with loads of bilge pumps is, the wires are to short, so the joint has to be where it's liable to get wet.

I've gone through loads of rule stuff, trouble is, when you need one, thats whats available.

Just had the latest pump fitted last week, the old one was about three years old.
 
hlb said:
Then, I've got a seperate system of high water alarm with a big claxton in the cockpit. It sounds like it's done it's job and told the whole marina that theres a problem.
Click to expand...


I have seen boats with a high level bilge pump & switch, but instead of the klaxon, a zenon flashing beacon mounted on the mast, or, if a mobo on the radar arch.


Available for a few pounds from the likes of Maplin.
 
Got a Rule 3000 as a auto pump, in main area (Engine room & Lasarette). Lower end rules elsewhere... also manual activated pumps.... Best of all though is the Diverter T piece to my raw water intake pump, which enables swithing engine intake to inside of hull .... this means the engines can empty the bilges at a serious rate ...and is cheap to set up...
 
Divemaster1 said:
Got a Rule 3000 as a auto pump, in main area (Engine room & Lasarette). Lower end rules elsewhere... also manual activated pumps.... Best of all though is the Diverter T piece to my raw water intake pump, which enables swithing engine intake to inside of hull .... this means the engines can empty the bilges at a serious rate ...and is cheap to set up...
Click to expand...

That sounds like a neat idea, got any pictures of how you did it?
 
#13 Today, 20:02
Ripster
Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Northney Hampshire UK
Posts: 428



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Upgraded our bilge pumps last year. Fistly checked that two auto jabscos worked OK (they did). Then added a big whale pump and separate rule float switch and wired in a cabin alarm.

I never understood this aproach. Thats why I have the big claxton, which proved it's worth only yesterday.

The whole marina knew there was a problem, not just some one hopefully in the cabin.

Anyway, it turned out to be a Kwackers pipe fixing problem.:eek:
 
Haydn - the alarm in the cabin is situated next to the rear doors and is 80db piercing scream. I can hear it from the FB with the engines running, which was the objective. I was concerned about suitable warning if I am on the boat. It can also be clearly heard outside the boat too. If am not there, then it (even a klaxon) will probably be ignored anyway like car alarms tend to be!
 
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