Bilge pump in sump

[rajjes]

My boat has a narrow hull with a deep long keel. The bilges are stepped and drain into a deep sump located under the engine.

At the moment I have just a maunal bilge pump and I would like to add an electric pump. I am not sure on the best way to do this as the sump is practically inaccessible due to the engine, only a coulpe of inches at most of space between engine and bearers.

Is there some sort of pump where I can simply lower a hose and have the pump out of the sump? To activate this I am considering lowering a float swirtch lowered in the sump on a stainless plate.

Is this feasible? Are there better alternatives?

 

[CPD]

The problem you may face is the same as mine, and that is that most (all ?) bilge pumps on the market have an integrated suction on the base of the pump. The pump therefore needs to be at the same depth as the suction. What I am looking for is a pump with a seperate suction pipe and filter. I intend using a manual switch thereby avoiding the float switch route, as I believe they dont have a good reputation for reliability.

 

[Guest]

The only thing I know of is the electric diaphragm pumps like the Henderson or the Whale Gulper type.

As for switches try the pressure switch type with inverted cup. Helps to keep the stray amps out of the water!

 

[ms1]

you can get a RULE submersible pumpo which you can lower into the bilge. Hold it in place with a clamp on the outlet pipe. Simple to fit, has integral strainer, comes in different sizes Your choice whether you fit manual switch or a automatic float switch. Old auto switches that depended on a rolling metal ball were iffy, never models with mercury
sensor suppose to eradicate sticky ball problem.
It will give comfort to test the switch from time to time just to make sure that it does work. some of the more expensie pumps have integral auto switch.

 

[Sy-Revolution]

I have a jabsco water pump bolted to one of my stringers. The pump has 3/4 bsp inlet/outlets. The inlet is fitted with a 15mm copper pipe and strainer thats down in the bilge. It's operated by a Water Witch float replacement switch which has an 18 second overrun:

http://www.waterwitchinc.com/miniWW.html



Works a treat.

 

[Anchorite]

Re: Bilge pump out of sump

Here's a model you instal outside the bilge: it's a membrane type pump. This is from an american site but you'll find it in UK: I have 2 /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif


37202-2012 JABSCO BILGE or SHOWER DRAIN PUMP
$159.95
ITT37202-2012
Pump Bilge/Shower Drain CE 12 Volt dc model, fuse 10 amp 200 gph (780 lph) open flow output. 3.4 gpm (13 lpm) open flow output at 3ft (1m) head. Self-priming up to 6ft (2m) vertical lift allows mounting above wet bilges. Diaphragm design allows extended dry running. Quiet running. Complete with Pumpgard strainer. Corrosion resistant materials throughout. Oil resistant elastimers.

 

[TheBoatman]

You could try this type of pump ~ it can be mounted anywhere , just get the hose down into the bilge.

http://www.force4.co.uk/ProductDetails/m...ae-d0b45515fc68

Peter.

 

[orizaba]

depending on how much water you get how about a pela vacum pump,designed for oil but i have modified mine to take water hose just suck it out very easy ,there was a post about them about a month ago
available from compass about 20 pounds

 

[rajjes]

Thanks to all for the feedback, quite a few options to test out!

 

[Niander]

i got a new Johnson with integral electronic switch ,put it in bilge ..... put in water fine it started pumping but it wouldn't stop when the water went down!

had to separate the thing and put the electronic switch part 1" higher in the bilge now it works fine...but not impressed! .

 

[Dipper]

The common centrifugal pumps such as the small Rule submersible pumps can't suck and have a limited maximum head height before they can't push the water any further. Since you have deep bilges and access is limited, you need a diaphragm or flexible impeller pump which several forumites have suggested. These are self priming (some up up to 3 metres) and can pump to a considerable height. Diaphragm pumps in particular are quite tolerant of debris in the water.

You could also check out the Jabsco Shop. Type 'bilge pump' in the search box and take it on from there.

 

[damo]

I am in a similar situation, and I have always been worried by the lack of access in case there is a blockage - I don't even know if there is a strum box on the end of the hoses.

Fortunately (?) I am about to lift the engine, and i intend to cut a larger hole so that I can put in bigger hoses, and re-route them so I can get them out if there is a blockage.

Good luck!