bilge pump non-return valve

[RogerLS]

I have a Rule smart bilge pump which runs only when it has water to pump with a non return valve ( of the usual tricuspid sort) as close to the pump as possible. Unfortunately I cant leave the system to itself as water runs back through the valve, floods the pump and starts it working again. Do you know of a reliable non leaking non return valve. The vertical height from valve to discharge point is about 1.5 metres.

 

[jwilson]

No: they all leak eventually unless you keep your bilges surgically clean, as it only needs the smallest bit of grit or hair to get in the valve to create a slow leak back.

 

[pvb]

I don't like the idea of non-return valves in bilge pump pipework. An alternative solution would be to supply power to the pump via a float switch or an electronic level sensor switch.

 

[Athene V30]

My bilge pump is on a float switch but there is always water that floods back from the pipe into bilge after pump stopped. Fortunately with a deep bilge (about 4ft) the 2 or 3 inches of water is not an issue.

 

[JumbleDuck]

I don't like the idea of non-return valves in bilge pump pipework. An alternative soultion would be to supply power to the pump via a float switch or an electronic level sensor switch.

My submerged bilge pump sits in a sump in the bilge and discharges about 1m higher. Left to its automatic little self it starts running, fills the outlet pipe, lowers the level, stops running, allows the water to run back down, starts running again ... five seconds of bilge pump operation every ten minutes for a couple of weeks is surprisingly good at flattening the battery. Ask me how I know.

Moral: make sure your switch has a significantly bigger hysteresis (gap between "start" with rising water level and "stop" with falling water level) than the change of depth in your bilge case by one discharge pipe's worth of water. Or just leave the pump switched off, like I do.

 

[Rigger Mortice]

The separate Rule float switches ("Rule-a-matic") are designed to switch on when the water is 2" deep, and switch off when it is 3/4" deep. That might solve the problem.

However, it may be that the switch on OP's existing pump just needs checking and a bit of LCA.

 

[pvb]

However, it may be that the switch on OP's existing pump just needs checking and a bit of LCA.

There's nothing to check. The automatic Rule pumps use an electronic module which switches the pump on every few minutes; if it senses water is being pumped, it runs until dry.

 

[JumbleDuck]

There's nothing to check. The automatic Rule pumps use an electronic module which switches the pump on every few minutes; if it senses water is being pumped, it runs until dry.

Them's the modern ones. Older ones, like mine, sense the level.

 

[nedmin]

I had same problem with my shower sump.Went to plumb centre and bought a 22mm non return valve used on domestic/industrial plumbing.No probs.The rubber aortic valve was useless after awhile.

 

[pvb]

Them's the modern ones. Older ones, like mine, sense the level.

The OP specifically mentioned a "Rule smart bilge pump".

 

[JumbleDuck]

The OP specifically mentioned a "Rule smart bilge pump".

Good point, well made. Oops.

 

[Jaguar 25]

Maybe a bit simplistic, but wouldn't it be better to do without an auto bilge pump and just stop the water getting in?