Rule automatic bilge pumps -

[Ric]

I have (or should say had) one of those Rule 500gph automatic bilge pumps which periodically run and then stop if they sense no pressure head. It has packed in working in automatic mode. I have previously got it working by flushing it with some detergent and water - but this does not work now. Any other suggestions to get it working again? How do they work anyway? I can't see a way to take it to bits easily.

 

[VicS]

I have (or should say had) one of those Rule 500gph automatic bilge pumps which periodically run and then stop if they sense no pressure head. It has packed in working in automatic mode. I have previously got it working by flushing it with some detergent and water - but this does not work now. Any other suggestions to get it working again? How do they work anyway? I can't see a way to take it to bits easily.

What is not doing. Not cutting in, not cutting out again if theres no water to pump out or cutting out before pumping out complete Either way an electronics problem I suspect unless suction or discahrge choked......

Connections / power supply good?

Suction and discharge unobstructed?

 

[nigelmercier]

I believe they sense the current and turn off if there is no load.

 

[VicS]

I believe they sense the current and turn off if there is no load.

Thats what I understand too

 

[Ric]

What is not doing. Not cutting in, not cutting out again if theres no water to pump out or cutting out before pumping out complete Either way an electronics problem I suspect unless suction or discahrge choked......

Connections / power supply good?

Suction and discharge unobstructed?

It does not start in automatic mode. I've taken it out and given it a good clean. Connections are all good. I guess it is kaput. I'll just have to make do with manual only mode.

 

[Piers]

Hi Ric,

The question has to be asked if it's a genuine Rule. When I've been to METS (Amsterdam) for the last few years, there have been many Chinese companies displaying 'Rule' pumps which aren't Rule pumps but exact copies in every visible way. When talking about this with Rule, they say it's impossible to stop the fakes. You might close down one factory, but another will already have started up. So they have to live with it. No idea how to check, and my apologies for casting doubt....

 

[planteater]

I guess you could add a float switch in manual mode. Does anyone know why they work they way they do? Surely an electronic sensor that only activated the pump when needed would be more economical (and less irritating).

 

[Cardo]

I guess you could add a float switch in manual mode. Does anyone know why they work they way they do? Surely an electronic sensor that only activated the pump when needed would be more economical (and less irritating).

+1 for adding a float switch.

 

[nigelmercier]

Does anyone know why they work they way they do? Surely an electronic sensor that only activated the pump when needed would be more economical (and less irritating).

Water level sensors are unreliable.

 

[omega2]

We got fed up with them had three all failed, kept them and have them coupled up to a "water witch" all good now.

 

[Cappen Boidseye]

I bought two, one as a spare. The first lasted nearly a year before failing. It just stopped working in automatic mode, I discovered it had failed when the water in the bilge reached deck level.
I replaced it with the spare, which lasted nearly a week before failing. Currently I just use it in manual mode, I will wire in the old float switch over the Winter. So much for clever technology!

 

[Ric]

Having read reviews of water witch - which vary from "completely reliable" to "lasted a week" I've bought one anyway to attach to my non automatic rule and I have also bought a second bilge pump with integrated mechanical float which sits above the first in the bilge sump. Hopefully the Water Witch will do most of the work and the mechanical switch will only be called into play if the water witch fails.

 

[rbmatthews]

I believe they sense the current and turn off if there is no load.

Thats what I understand too

I don't know about the particular one of the OP, but the more recent Rule-Mate bilge pumps operate with solid-state "field-effect" switches that can detect the presence of water without actually being in contact with it. I don't fully understand the physics of it, but we have had a Rule-Mate 1100 gph which has worked fine for 5 years now, no problems at all. Details at : http://shetlandf4.wordpress.com/bilge-pump/.

I think that the earlier Rule models used internal float switches, some of which caused problems after a while and didn't switch off, thereby flattening the battery. The field effect switches seem to be an improvement on that, but time will tell.

 

[npf1]

" The field effect switches seem to be an improvement on that, but time will tell. " - that's not my experience so far. On the job list for this weekend ito replace one that's died. It's the second time I'll be replacing it in two years! Wish I know where to find my receipt.

 

[rbmatthews]

" The field effect switches seem to be an improvement on that, but time will tell. " - that's not my experience so far. On the job list for this weekend ito replace one that's died. It's the second time I'll be replacing it in two years! Wish I know where to find my receipt.

Sorry to hear that, npf1. There is no chance of reversed polarity by connecting the wires up wrong, is there? Apparently they don't take too kindly to that.

 

[Topcat47]

Mine lasted 18 months. i didn't bother replacing it when it failed as the plastic had cracked as well. I don't miss it.