Automatic bilge pump - what’s the most reliable?

This is a timely thread. I have just replaced my electronic Whale switch on Saturday. It lasted 6 years and then went closed circuit, if it is going to fail this is probably the way to go. Whilst it worked it was reliable and worked without issue. The unit is completely sealed so I don't know why it failed I might have just been unlucky.

Whale Electric Field Sensor Switch | Force 4 Chandlery
 
Seven Spades said:
This is a timely thread. I have just replaced my electronic Whale switch on Saturday. It lasted 6 years and then went closed circuit, if it is going to fail this is probably the way to go. Whilst it worked it was reliable and worked without issue. The unit is completely sealed so I don't know why it failed I might have just been unlucky.

Whale Electric Field Sensor Switch | Force 4 Chandlery
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Anyone tried this one? 20 quid cheaper than the whale one.

We have 6 bilge pump float switches plus 4 grey tank float switches so changing them is a full time job!

Two are out of service at the moment……

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Elessar said:
Anyone tried this one? 20 quid cheaper than the whale one.

We have 6 bilge pump float switches plus 4 grey tank float switches so changing them is a full time job!

Two are out of service at the moment……

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Maybe worth reading the reviews here SEAFLO 20A Solid State Electric Field Bilge Pump Switch 12/24V - Intelligent Water Level Sensor, for Marine Bilge Pumps No Moving Parts, 4-Year Warranty SEAFLO 20A Solid State Electric Field Bilge Pump Switch 12/24V - Intelligent Water Level Sensor, for Marine Bilge Pumps No Moving Parts, 4-Year Warranty : Amazon.co.uk: Business, Industry & Science
 
Dellquay13 said:
Float switches can be very reliable if you keep them dry, place it above the water level and glue buoyancy material underneath the float

Incorporating pivots and levers into the added buoyancy can increase or decrease the switch sensitivity
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Place the above the cabin sole so you can polish it too? They should just work and none seem to.
 
Elessar said:
Place the above the cabin sole so you can polish it too? They should just work and none seem to.
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My first float switch in an open dory lasted about six months. (That was an open boat that wasn’t self bailing, any rain just gathered until it was pumped out or spilled over the gunnels, in a harbour on the far side of Europe, and only visited every six weeks).
The next one that I raised up about 2” was still working 9 years later when I sold the boat.
Just my experience.
 
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If you have a nice layer of diesel or oil floating around in your bilge pumps that use a sensor rather than a float won't work reliably. The sensor gets covered in oil and then doesn't 'sense'

My experience was with a Whale Supersub or similar.
 
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