Good auto bilge pump configs

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gregcope

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Hi

Am looking to fit an auto bilge pump.

Am quote taken by the simplicity of the whale super sub range.

Ideas/feedback on the forums collective thoughts on good designs or options?

This is for a starlight 35, that is usually very dry!
 
Hi

We have tried several and currently adore a Rule one that is automatic in that it senses, on a frequent basis, rather than rely on any water level related switch. Our troubles, were with float switches and the sensor type, both of which were prone to letting us down. Total satisfaction with the Rule idea and even find the rhythmic 2 second run every few minutes reassuring. Cheers
 
+1 for the supersub all in one job, , I had a boat with a Rule float switch years ago, it was more reliable to stick and flatten the battery than be of any help with the bilges, float switches are an invention of the devil !
 
Seajet said:
+1 for the supersub all in one job, , I had a boat with a Rule float switch years ago, it was more reliable to stick and flatten the battery than be of any help with the bilges, float switches are an invention of the devil !
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+1 for the Supersub - I fitted one recently wired to a small ready made auxiliary panel with on, off and auto. My boat is now dry after my recent refit, so had to pour water into the bilge to test it! I leave it on auto just in case.
I also have a large capacity Rule wired to the bilge pump switch on the original switch panel - no float switch, so only for emergencies.
Sailorbaz
 
sailorbaz said:
+1 for the Supersub - I fitted one recently wired to a small ready made auxiliary panel with on, off and auto. My boat is now dry after my recent refit, so had to pour water into the bilge to test it! I leave it on auto just in case.
I also have a large capacity Rule wired to the bilge pump switch on the original switch panel - no float switch, so only for emergencies.
Sailorbaz
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Sailorbaz,

that sounds like an ideal set-up as long as you have manual pumps as well in the cabin & remotely from the cockpit, I and my bank manager are working around to such an arrangement.
 
sailorbaz said:
+1 for the Supersub - I fitted one recently wired to a small ready made auxiliary panel with on, off and auto. My boat is now dry after my recent refit, so had to pour water into the bilge to test it! I leave it on auto just in case.
I also have a large capacity Rule wired to the bilge pump switch on the original switch panel - no float switch, so only for emergencies.
Sailorbaz
Click to expand...

I have the same with a manual in the cockpit. Just make sure that you fit the auto with a permanent live. My boat originally needed the electrics left on for it to be operational.
 
dslittle said:
I have the same with a manual in the cockpit. Just make sure that you fit the auto with a permanent live. My boat originally needed the electrics left on for it to be operational.
Click to expand...

I've just changed mine from permanently live to switched. I don't like having any unswitched supplies on board.
 
Yes I do have a manual pump in the cockpit. The auxiliary panel I mentioned is wired directly to the battery through a fuse. That and the feed to the ultrasonic antifoul are the only things wired direct. I isolate both batteries when I leave the boat but they are kept charged by 40W + 12W of solar panels. Don't know how long the house battery would last if we sprang a leak.
Sailorbaz
 
gregcope said:
This is for a starlight 35, that is usually very dry!
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But can I be controversial and ask why fit an auto bilge pump to a boat that is generally dry? Likewise, my starlight is usually very dry. To me, it seems that an auto bilge pump will not shift a great volume of water, and the batteries are only able to drive such a pump for a limited period. So, when the boat is unattended, perhaps it is good for small leaks, such as weeping shaft seal or weeping leaks at a keel bolt? But I would want to know such a leak was happening, not hidden by the operation of an auto bilge pump when I am not around. If a more catastrophic leak occurred, eg skin fitting failure or similar, the auto bilge pump would be unlikely to cope, certainly in the longer term as the batteries would soon be flat.

My direct experience of this was with a westerly tiger some years ago. Coming on to the mooring, we managed to get the hand buoy rope and pennant chain caught round the aft end of the keel. Unknown to us, this made a hole at the tapered end of the keel where the glass matting had not been properly pushed into this narrow part of the mould at time of laminating the hull. The result was a hole only 25mm x 10mm or so, but the water flow was considerable. We were rushing to get off the boat, but gave the bilge a quick pump as was our habit. To our surprise, there was considerable pumping needed, so we investigated and finally found the hole. We plugged it as best as possible until the next tide allowed us to dry out and make a temporary fix.

The point is, there is no way an auto bilge pump would have kept this sort of leak at bay for long if we had not been around. We were just fortunate to have become aware of it before we left the boat.
 
" But I would want to know such a leak was happening, not hidden by the operation of an auto bilge pump when I am not around. "

That's why I have fitted a 12V electro mechanical counter across each of my automatic bilge pumps.
 
I feel deprived. I've been boating for over 40 years and I've never had an electric bilge pump. It's never been a problem; as West Coast pointed out, if there's a leak it's better to be aware of it.

My next boat comes with an electric bilge pump as standard though.
 
Regarding battery run down

I have not got the Rule spec to hand but when bought the blurb went to special lengths to explain how low it's repetitive on/off consumption was. While we run it through an "always on" module and have a 20w solar panel on the coach roof. A 50 yr old boat seems to combine many minor leaks, though most eliminated recently. Any catastrophic leak would be just that but the rest can stay below the floor boards.
Thank you
 
Request ions about why on a dry boat...

As I sail short handed, I view it as an extra pair if pumping hands. There is little point in another manual pump, as we often do not have theann power to pump it.

I would like to think it will help clear the boat, whilst I look for and hopefully fix the leak.

Also in terms of unattended pumping, I would not expect it to keep the boat afloat if there where a serious isss, but if there where a minor issue it might limit the damage.
 
gregcope said:
Request ions about why on a dry boat...

As I sail short handed, I view it as an extra pair if pumping hands. There is little point in another manual pump, as we often do not have theann power to pump it.

I would like to think it will help clear the boat, whilst I look for and hopefully fix the leak.

Also in terms of unattended pumping, I would not expect it to keep the boat afloat if there where a serious isss, but if there where a minor issue it might limit the damage.
Click to expand...

Fair enough!
 
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