Bilge Pump

[Trevor_swfyc]

Grant,

Yes I have a bilge pump but only fitted it last year nice to have but suspect it would not cope with any hole in the boat caused by hitting anything heavy in the water, such as a railway sleeper. Anyway it would hopefully cope with the stern gland leaking, on my Mirage 27 it is fitted in front of the engine in the engine bay.
I have fitted a Rule Platinum Automatic Bilge Pump which detects water then pumps it out so no worries regarding position of float switch. The outlet I have T'd into the sink drain outlet (no more holes in boat policy).
One silly thing was the base fixes to the bottom of the boat, drilling holes in bottom of boat not a good move? so I had to make my own bracket.
Price £58 treat yourself.
Hope this helps in your choice.
Trevor

 

[Chris_Stannard]

The problem with the type of pump you mention is that it switches on for a short period (seconds) every two minutes or so. If it free running it shuts down, if not it carries on running. Thus if it pumped out some water and a bit of rubbish and the rubbish sticks in the rotor it will carry on running thinking it is pumping out water. This will carry on until the battery is flat or the pump burns out. I would suggest that you fit a pump running LED in the cockpit to see if the pump starts amd carries on running. Incidentally I think you should fit one with a float switch as if you are in the boat and the pump staarts running you really need to know.

Chris Stannard

 

[Trevor_swfyc]

Chris,

Good point, I cannot be off knowing I have water in the engine bay as I have fitted a smoke alarm, which goes off preferential to the bilge pump which is slightly higher than the alarm detector wires. So this means that I do not have to leave the pump on all the time. I do not see much point in leaving it on while I'm not on the boat either, as if water in any quantity is leaking in the pump will flatten the battery then the boat sinks rather than boats sinks. If the water is only a small amount no problem anyway.
The bilge pump does have a filter so pump should not get fouled.
Many thanks.
Trevor