Bilge pump type

[PabloPicasso]

It seems like a good idea to fit an electric bilge pump. Currently there are 2 manual bilge pumps. One operated from outside in the cockpit. The other mounted on the bulkhead inside the engine bay, so I have to remove the steps to get to it. Its a most unsatisfactory arrangement in many ways!!

I'd like to fit an electric bilge pump to ursurp this bulkhead mounted item, and fit new pipework exiting through or near the stern.

What type of bilge pumo would be best? Its a 26ft grp cruiser/ racer

Here's a pic of the engine bay.

 

[rogerthebodger]

You could simply fit a diaphragm pump in line with the existion manual pump in the engine bay

If you wish to have a high capacity bilge pump you will need a centrifugal pump but this needs fitting in the lowest point in the bilge

 

[Humblebee]

Whale pumps have a good reputation, here's a link to their website.

Whale Marine - Products

 

[PabloPicasso]

You could simply fit a diaphragm pump in line with the existion manual pump in the engine bay

If you wish to have a high capacity bilge pump you will need a centrifugal pump but this needs fitting in the lowest point in the bilge

I was thinking about something like one of these? I'm guessing they'd be the diaphragm type.

 

[rogerthebodger]

I was thinking about something like one of these? I'm guessing they'd be the diaphragm type.

The middle one looks like a centrifugal the fist one is designed to fit directly in narrow blige

These may require extra piping but looks like you need access to the deep bilge

I know the Gulper 320 is a diaphragm and can be fitted inline with your existing manual

 

[Tranona]

Plenty of choice of electric bilge pumps both manual and automatic. been happy with the several Rule pumps I have used.

 

[colind3782]

Happy with the Whale Gulper 320 I fitted.

 

[PabloPicasso]

I never realised there was so much choice! We only have a very shallow bilge, would that influence the type/model To choose?

 

[PabloPicasso]

The middle one looks like a centrifugal the fist one is designed to fit directly in narrow blige

These may require extra piping but looks like you need access to the deep bilge

I know the Gulper 320 is a diaphragm and can be fitted inline with your existing manual

The middle one of 2¿ . Now I'm confused.

 

[IanCC]

You need to think how a bit of water sloshing about or running back down the pipe is not going to keep tripping the pump.

 

[Refueler]

I never realised there was so much choice! We only have a very shallow bilge, would that influence the type/model To choose?

Yes ... because all pumps have a minimum level of fluid to pump from. They cannot remove all water .... you will usually be left with a cm or so unpumpable.

It is not impossible for an electric pump to pump THROUGH a manual pump ..... so you may be able to fit it to the pipe end in the bilge .....

I always used Rule and Whale pumps ... but then found Seaflo - which are literally identical to Rule but cheaper ! Easy to find on eBay

 

[Refueler]

You need to think how a bit of water sloshing about or running back down the pipe is not going to keep tripping the pump.

?? I have auto pumps in shallow bilges and they NEVER suffer sloshing water .... they pump until water is lowered past the auto trigger point. This means more water must add before trigger starts pump again.

 

[rogerthebodger]

The middle one of 2¿ . Now I'm confused.

When I expanded the pic you posted it showed 3 pics the lat one was an attwood kit.

 

[38mess]

Whatever one you choose, get the next model up as they loose quite a bit of pumping capacity along the way

 

[rogerthebodger]

?? I have auto pumps in shallow bilges and they NEVER suffer sloshing water .... they pump until water is lowered past the auto trigger point. This means more water must add before trigger starts pump again.

Even with non auto pumps there will be limit to the depth of water pumped due to the high of the otake grill a once below water gets below the grill the pump will start sucking ait and stop umping water

 

[PabloPicasso]

When I expanded the pic you posted it showed 3 pics the lat one was an attwood kit.

Wow, I never notived when I screenshot the pic

 

[colind3782]

And make sure the cabling is man enough (insert preferred gender here) as they can draw quite a bit of current when pumping under load.

 

[ChromeDome]

You also have a choice between pumps with integrated level switch, designed to be submerged or fitted above.

You need a switch that allows setting it to Auto (controlled by the level switch) or constant (for you to turn it on when you desire or if the level switch fails).

Of the 10 bilge pumps I've had the most reliable and long lasting was fitted above the water level with one hose going down to the lowest point and another sending the water out above the waterline,- only the level switch float in contact with the water.
Easy to service or replace parts if ever needed and no issues with water making its way into electrics etc.

The most innovative pump was automatic. It started regularly to check and if the amp draw was high it assumed water was there and kept running.
Got so tired of the regular starts & noise 24/7 that it had to go.

 

[Refueler]

Even with non auto pumps there will be limit to the depth of water pumped due to the high of the otake grill a once below water gets below the grill the pump will start sucking ait and stop umping water

Of course ... who said any different.

What I said was that the auto trigger - usually a float switch - will switch on the pump and will continue to pump till lower than the trigger point - usually.
How ? The float switch is often a ball inside the float that closes a relay ... it takes full lift angle to cause ball to move.... as it pumps and float drops - the ball will roll back once float is angled opposite way past level ...
This gives without any need for fancy gimmick - the action of pumping a little more than the trigger point.
But of course as I also said - water is still there to a small amount that pump cannot lift ... basically its getting air.

 

[Refueler]

You also have a choice between pumps with integrated level switch, designed to be submerged or fitted above.

You need a switch that allows setting it to Auto (controlled by the level switch) or constant (for you to turn it on when you desire or if the level switch fails).

Of the 10 bilge pumps I've had the most reliable and long lasting was fitted above the water level with one hose going down to the lowest point and another sending the water out above the waterline,- only the level switch float in contact with the water.
Easy to service or replace parts if ever needed and no issues with water making its way into electrics etc.

The most innovative pump was automatic. It started regularly to check and if the amp draw was high it assumed water was there and kept running.
Got so tired of the regular starts & noise 24/7 that it had to go.

Problem with the remote pump - is that it must be positive self priming. Most bilge pumps are not.