Why does my Bilge Pump keep packing up?

[AndrewAndVicky]

Just after some advice.

The monster that lurks in the bilges seems to have developed an appetite for Rule automatic bilge pumps. We are now on our third pump. Each time, it runs for a while, then the shaft breaks! Rule said it was something to do with corrosion caused by stray electric currents. Can you prevent this? I have seen manuals where the bilge pumps are shown connected to the earth, but given that the pump case is plastic, what do you connect a grounding wire to? In any case, it is the pump shaft that is corroding, and you can't connect anything to that.

Ideas would be much appreciated. Otherwise I'll just have to keep feeding the bilge monster with new pumps every few months.

Andrew


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[andyball]

How long is a while? . months? days?.

I've got two pumps in the bottom of an ali boat, 1 always connected... been there two years + & no problems at all.

Assuming the outlet pipe no too long/small thus straining the pump, try another brand.



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[sailorman]

buy a par / jabsco diaphram pump & mount outside bilge + sensor in bilge


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[AndrewAndVicky]

Thanks for the replies.
It used to run for about 6 months between break-downs, and it was having to do a lot of work. The bilges are deep and there is a 6 ft rise. also we used to have a stern gland that dripped a bit so the pumps got quite a lot of use. That is now fixed, so fingers-crossed!
Trying another brand does seem a good bet, though out in the Carribean where the boat is, it seems that Rule pumps are everywhere and getting other brands is not that easy.

What exactly is a bilge sensor?
I take it from your replies, that no-one bothers to ground the pump to earth to prevent electrolytic corrosion?

Andrew


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[MainlySteam]

If you are breaking shafts on Rule pumps then electrolytic corrosion is likely the correct explanation, but should be obvious if you can break open the pump and inspect the shaft. Rule pumps are regarded as reliable and are fitted to commercial passenger vessels, for example. Also centrifugal pumps do not break their shafts from pumping against a high head.

If the problem is corrosion, you will find that there is some other electrical wiring in the bilge, or the pump's own float switch/wiring that is inadequately insulated from the damp environment. This is usually, but not always, at connectors (even if covered in glue lined heatshrink) and is not always obvious from visual inspection.

It is not a case of having to "earth" anything. The problem should be located and fixed, however, as you may find that it is not only your pumps that are being damaged.

John

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[AndrewAndVicky]

There may well be wires down there in the depths of the bilges that are producing some sort of stray current. I will keep looking, though our bilges are very dark and deep, and I have yet to explore the nether regions. One of our bilge pumps (we have 3, being totally neurotic!) is located under the engine and is completely inaccessible unless you lifted the engine out. The other two are accessible, just.

Anyhow, thanks for the advice.

Andrew

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[AndrewAndVicky]

There may well be wires down there in the depths of the bilges that are producing some sort of stray current. I will keep looking, though our bilges are very dark and deep, and I have yet to explore the nether regions. One of our bilge pumps (we have 3, being totally neurotic!) is located under the engine and is completely inaccessible unless you lifted the engine out. The other two are accessible, just.

Anyhow, thanks for the advice.

Andrew

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