engine driven water pumps

[meldrum]

Has anyone got experience of fitting electro clutch water pumps as an addition to to a boats engine, as I like the idea of an emergency pump that can pump 120ltrs a minute and would like to know whats involved in fitting

 

[ianabc]

Regarding the electically operated clutch as in a vehicle air conditioning applications, perhaps a simpler solution would be to use a thrower assembly attached to the diesel insboard prop shaft.

I have seen these and they appear to be cups radially attached to the shaft.

They throw the bilge water down a large hose that empties overboard.

I imagine they can throw a considerable volume of water.

 

[PCUK]

Those shaft driven things are a good idea but need a lot of installation space. I couldn't get one in.
I'll be fitting a manual clutch pump soon. Didn't go for the electic clutch as it relies on the batteries. With the manual lever the pump will keep pumping as long as the engine is running regardless of whether the batteries have drowned.

 

[Adamastor]

Jabsco do some delightful little creatures that run 2" tubing. I'd feel quite at home with one of these attached! Basically they attach like an alternator- in addition to an additional flywheel-pulley, you need a lug either on an engine-mount or the engine-body for the swing-bolt, and a belt-tensioner of some sort for the other mounting point. I've seen galvanised F/F turnbuckles used here, and I've seen a pump mounted on a sort of scaffold braced to the engine off one of the mounts!
I personally don't like the electrical engagement option either (see ianabc's comment), but the peace-of-mind that swinging a lever-clutch could bring would be priceless. It's probably life-insurance for your boat- you hope you never have to claim!

 

[bedouin]

I did once think about fitting one of these - but when I actually looked into it I decided that a large electric pump was a better solution as an emergency pump.

 

[noname]

I have had similar thoughts on fitting a back up pump,but have decided to fit a diverter valve and strum box to use the raw water pump instead.

 

[eebygum]

Anybody know where you can get a diverter valve from ?

Thanks in advance

 

[stefan_r]

My boat came as standard with the diverter valve option and that give me a 460 litres per minute pump out facility...much less hassle than a new belt on the engine and the drop in efficiency you'll get