Wandering Bilge Pump Set-Up?

Major_Clanger

Major_Clanger

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Hello all,

I want to set-up a wandering bilge pump with a flexy pipe I can poke wherever is needed. I'm not sure about the type of pump I need though. Obviously an impeller pump won't work as it won't fit into tight spaces and I'm not sure a diaphragm pump would like any solid particles in the water, even small ones.

Ideas please?
 
I have a pump similar to this which I can poke into small spaces, I don’t depend on it to save the boat from sinking, but it clears odd bits of the bilge as I go round checking. Used a lot after I clean my impeller log, it’s in between the size of my main pumps and using a sponge

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Transfer-Stainless-Submersible-Cigarette-Removable/dp/B0BP27CJWY/ref=mp_s_a_1_17_maf_2?adgrpid=1142393346370789&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.5QamH789CUBx7VZVODegEexEAdo-4Ju_zlzd9_kLNNUFyhKllpfq7LNdQPHyBcgCTfSD2-LKQjTgp-H21NeNWUPdV1qu_w9xn8zkEvxQOuha4EIMI9qAPlKm3XNVNHOR_CeErkLOrMEfiPQZbtigUwu6NEbcj7GKNjuxtTyk8qEWvh-8r1JnzhVt_YwBhNwRCQXQvhdgUV2AsoipK4iv8A.YCT8h2T9bJN6PsUlCU_3E1G6ARtL1sLy8G0cVIayu20&dib_tag=se&hvadid=71399752193364&hvbmt=be&hvdev=m&hvlocphy=133638&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvtargid=kwd-71400140611587:loc-188&hydadcr=537_2631144&keywords=diesel+12v+pump&mcid=0c083d2046e6336b852a4e02026ac3be&msclkid=6d5cdca3dd211d49d084b4ab1b04358d&qid=1745405516&sr=8-17&xpid=V-2ggPMTBDugH
 
Last edited:
Dellquay13 said:
I have a pump similar to this which I can poke into small spaces, I don’t depend on it to save the boat from sinking, but it clears odd bits of the bilge as I go round checking.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Transfer-Stainless-Submersible-Cigarette-Removable/dp/B0BP27CJWY/ref=mp_s_a_1_17_maf_2?adgrpid=1142393346370789&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.5QamH789CUBx7VZVODegEexEAdo-4Ju_zlzd9_kLNNUFyhKllpfq7LNdQPHyBcgCTfSD2-LKQjTgp-H21NeNWUPdV1qu_w9xn8zkEvxQOuha4EIMI9qAPlKm3XNVNHOR_CeErkLOrMEfiPQZbtigUwu6NEbcj7GKNjuxtTyk8qEWvh-8r1JnzhVt_YwBhNwRCQXQvhdgUV2AsoipK4iv8A.YCT8h2T9bJN6PsUlCU_3E1G6ARtL1sLy8G0cVIayu20&dib_tag=se&hvadid=71399752193364&hvbmt=be&hvdev=m&hvlocphy=133638&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvtargid=kwd-71400140611587:loc-188&hydadcr=537_2631144&keywords=diesel+12v+pump&mcid=0c083d2046e6336b852a4e02026ac3be&msclkid=6d5cdca3dd211d49d084b4ab1b04358d&qid=1745405516&sr=8-17&xpid=V-2ggPMTBDugH
Click to expand...
That's the sort of thing. Is it quite small in diameter?

Thanks!
 
I'm trying to set something up using the lavac. I'm trying to find a way of sealing the hose to the bowl so you then just pump out, the vacuum holding the hose and seal in place. I'm presently struggling with the seal. Tried a cone with a hole for the hose but I feel that a soft foam ball might be better.
Just need to get to a sports shop to see what's on offer !
 
Boathook said:
I'm trying to set something up using the lavac. I'm trying to find a way of sealing the hose to the bowl so you then just pump out, the vacuum holding the hose and seal in place. I'm presently struggling with the seal. Tried a cone with a hole for the hose but I feel that a soft foam ball might be better.
Just need to get to a sports shop to see what's on offer !
Click to expand...
Sounds like some bizarre piece of Victorian Proctology equipment!!

Here's an idea - buy a large sink plunger with a wooden handle. Remove the handle and make a hole to suit your hose. Then bond it together with rubber dinghy repair glue.
 
I don't know if this would work on your boat, but quite some time ago, I installed Jabsco water puppy, The outlet goes to a skin fitting, although it could equally be a free hose you can put over the side or into a bucket. The inlet is a long hose which will reach anywhere in the bilge. The power is wired into a switch on the panel and fused. I can turn the pump on and poke the end of the hose into virtually any space on the boat.
The advantage is that you get a powerful pump and an easily manageable hose that will remove any water, even in very confined spaces with poor access.
But you have to find somewhere to store the hose.
 
Major_Clanger said:
Hello all,

I want to set-up a wandering bilge pump with a flexy pipe I can poke wherever is needed. I'm not sure about the type of pump I need though. Obviously an impeller pump won't work as it won't fit into tight spaces and I'm not sure a diaphragm pump would like any solid particles in the water, even small ones.

Ideas please?
Click to expand...
Not sure if this would pump the quantities you need??

Arwen's meanderings
 
Dellquay13 said:
I have a pump similar to this which I can poke into small spaces, I don’t depend on it to save the boat from sinking, but it clears odd bits of the bilge as I go round checking. Used a lot after I clean my impeller log, it’s in between the size of my main pumps and using a sponge

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Transfer-Stainless-Submersible-Cigarette-Removable/dp/B0BP27CJWY/ref=mp_s_a_1_17_maf_2?adgrpid=1142393346370789&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.5QamH789CUBx7VZVODegEexEAdo-4Ju_zlzd9_kLNNUFyhKllpfq7LNdQPHyBcgCTfSD2-LKQjTgp-H21NeNWUPdV1qu_w9xn8zkEvxQOuha4EIMI9qAPlKm3XNVNHOR_CeErkLOrMEfiPQZbtigUwu6NEbcj7GKNjuxtTyk8qEWvh-8r1JnzhVt_YwBhNwRCQXQvhdgUV2AsoipK4iv8A.YCT8h2T9bJN6PsUlCU_3E1G6ARtL1sLy8G0cVIayu20&dib_tag=se&hvadid=71399752193364&hvbmt=be&hvdev=m&hvlocphy=133638&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvtargid=kwd-71400140611587:loc-188&hydadcr=537_2631144&keywords=diesel+12v+pump&mcid=0c083d2046e6336b852a4e02026ac3be&msclkid=6d5cdca3dd211d49d084b4ab1b04358d&qid=1745405516&sr=8-17&xpid=V-2ggPMTBDugH
Click to expand...
For that sort of job I find that a Whale easy-bailer works well (and I also use it to bail the dinghy).
 
I am not sure i this would be suitable but I ahve found a wet and dry vaccuum cleaner really great for drying out the boat. Wet carpets bilges etc. (mostly from deck leaks in rain). Needs 240vac of course at about 1000 watts. ol'will
 
On my Turbo 36 I had a Whale Gulper installed for this very purpose and that was very effective, but it did not like small debris particles as these got stuck in the valves, so an inline strainer in the pick up house is recommended. I used a 1" plastic reinforced hose that was cut to a length and flexible enough to get most places, and rigid enough not to collapse under the partial vacuum from the pump.

I expect other plunger style pumps such as SureFlo would also be effective.
 
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