Manual and auto bilge pump on the same line

[smeaks]

If I fit an electric bilge pump to my manual pump suction point then t in a by pass loop on my manual pump (that is in the cockpit and all accessible from the locker) could. When required shut the bypass and pump the bilge manually through the possitive displacement manual pump drawing through the electric pump in the bilge?

 

[Frankie-H]

If I fit an electric bilge pump to my manual pump suction point then t in a by pass loop on my manual pump (that is in the cockpit and all accessible from the locker) could. When required shut the bypass and pump the bilge manually through the possitive displacement manual pump drawing through the electric pump in the bilge?

You will not be able to draw through the electric pump as the various valves will act to stop the flow of water. However you could simply fit one or other pump into the by pass loop as long as you had manual valves to stop off the pump, which was not in use.

One of the most important reasons to have multiple bilge pumps is in case one gets blocked. I would prefer to keep all bilge pump systems seperate.