Bilge pumps

[KREW2]

At our club we have 7 open boats left on moorings. The problem is auto bilge pumps and float operated ones are flattening the batteries, especially now as they don't get as much use.
On some of the smaller ribs there is just not enough room for a two battery set up, but it can be done on our mooring boat, and ferry.
I was considering putting a 1/2/both /off switch. Sad to say we have some drivers who have all the relevant qualies but will not bother learn to use it properly, but that is another issue, so a 1/2/both/off switch may cause more problems than it is worth.
Would using a VSR be better, or does anyone know of a better method we can use in open boats to expel rain water.

 

[KompetentKrew]

I'm sorry that I may not be able to help, but I'm confused - if they don't have room for a two battery set up, what will the 1/2/both/off switch do?

 

[PaulRainbow]

I'm sorry that I may not be able to help, but I'm confused - if they don't have room for a two battery set up, what will the 1/2/both/off switch do?

He said "On some of the smaller ribs there is just not enough room for a two battery set up, but it can be done on our mooring boat, and ferry. "

 

[chrishscorp]

Solar panel to top up what charge is used is the answer, or there is a nifty device that uses the pull on the mooring strop to manually pump water out of a bilge. someone will be along shortly with a name for it !!

 

[PaulRainbow]

At our club we have 7 open boats left on moorings. The problem is auto bilge pumps and float operated ones are flattening the batteries, especially now as they don't get as much use.
On some of the smaller ribs there is just not enough room for a two battery set up, but it can be done on our mooring boat, and ferry.
I was considering putting a 1/2/both /off switch. Sad to say we have some drivers who have all the relevant qualies but will not bother learn to use it properly, but that is another issue, so a 1/2/both/off switch may cause more problems than it is worth.
Would using a VSR be better, or does anyone know of a better method we can use in open boats to expel rain water.

Fit the switch and a VSR. Label the switch as (1) Starter battery, (2) Emergency battery (Both) Do NOT use.

A better solution, especially on the smaller boats, would be a cover to keep the water out and a small solar panel.

 

[KompetentKrew]

Yes, I read that, but couldn't make sense of it. Surely if you're going to charge the boats' batteries from an external DC source you'd just have a DC-DC charger and a pair of fly-leads? Maybe Anderson connectors, or some other way of connecting the small boats' batteries to the larger source.

 

[PaulRainbow]

Yes, I read that, but couldn't make sense of it. Surely if you're going to charge the boats' batteries from an external DC source you'd just have a DC-DC charger and a pair of fly-leads? Maybe Anderson connectors, or some other way of connecting the small boats' batteries to the larger source.

No mention of charging batteries.

My understanding is that he wants to fit a second battery on the two larger vessels, with a 1-2-Both switch to switch between batteries.If the bilge pump has discharged battery 1, battery 2 can be selected to start the engine, which, with a VSR, will charge both batteries.

 

[PilotWolf]

Get new drivers who care!

PW

 

[coveman]

Solar panel to top up what charge is used is the answer, or there is a nifty device that uses the pull on the mooring strop to manually pump water out of a bilge. someone will be along shortly with a name for it !!

I think you may mean this - no batteries to worry about! Force 4 Drainman Wave Activated Bilge Pump | Force 4 Chandlery

 

[pvb]

At our club we have 7 open boats left on moorings. The problem is auto bilge pumps and float operated ones are flattening the batteries, especially now as they don't get as much use.
On some of the smaller ribs there is just not enough room for a two battery set up, but it can be done on our mooring boat, and ferry.
I was considering putting a 1/2/both /off switch. Sad to say we have some drivers who have all the relevant qualies but will not bother learn to use it properly, but that is another issue, so a 1/2/both/off switch may cause more problems than it is worth.
Would using a VSR be better, or does anyone know of a better method we can use in open boats to expel rain water.

For your mooring boat and ferry, I'd suggest fitting a second battery purely for the bilge pump. Charge it using a VSR link to the engine battery. The engine battery will always work to start the engine. No need for a 1-2-Both switch, which will only confuse people!

 

[TernVI]

We don't have that much of a problem.
Bilge pump draws about 2A when running, it's labelled 600gph, but pumping over the transom of a RIB probably does half that?
300gallons/ hr, call it 1200 litres.
RIB is about 4m x 2m, 8sqm? 800 sqdm? so 1200 litres is 15cm of rain. From 2Ah of battery.
That is a lot of rain. Like 4 months' worth
I'd suggest measuring what exactly is going on before messing with extra batteries.

Any problems we've had have been
The battery is really sick or was never charged to start with
The bilge pump is sick
There is another current drain
The boat leaks
The pump is re-circulating water.

 

[chrishscorp]

I think you may mean this - no batteries to worry about! Force 4 Drainman Wave Activated Bilge Pump | Force 4 Chandlery

Thats the one !! someone at my old club had one on a day boat that had no cover and he seemed to think it worked pretty well.

 

[PaulRainbow]

For your mooring boat and ferry, I'd suggest fitting a second battery purely for the bilge pump. Charge it using a VSR link to the engine battery. The engine battery will always work to start the engine. No need for a 1-2-Both switch, which will only confuse people!

Good suggestion

 

[KREW2]

Thats the one !! someone at my old club had one on a day boat that had no cover and he seemed to think it worked pretty well.

Force 4 Drainman Wave Activated Bilge Pump | Force 4 Chandlery

One of those has been suggested. Nice to here a good report about them.

 

[jim.howes]

Solar panel to top up what charge is used is the answer, or there is a nifty device that uses the pull on the mooring strop to manually pump water out of a bilge. someone will be along shortly with a name for it !!

I think you have the best idea, a 10 watt solar panel( no need for controller)connected direct to battery and that nifty little bilge pump you mentioned.

 

[Fantasie 19]

does anyone know of a better method we can use in open boats to expel rain water.

I'm missing why you don't just fit covers?? Or do they have covers, and rain is still getting in?

 

[KREW2]

Thanks for all the tips, just found these online seems a simple enough solution.
https://www.rayneautomotive.co.uk/s...ttery_tray/58-kit_including-split_charge_only

 

[PaulRainbow]

Thanks for all the tips, just found these online seems a simple enough solution.
Transporter T4/T5 VW Voltage Sensing Split Charge 140A/Amp VSR

I suggested a VSR in post #5

I'd fit a Victron Cyrix though.