Opinions--automatic bilge pump or manual with float switch

[Brian Johnson]

Hello all,
I am about to replace the bilge pump on my boat and I am looking for opinions/advice on the benefits of "Automatic" bilge pumps (the type that cycle at a specific time interval to sense for water) verses the manual electric pumps coupled with a float switch. My boat is on a mooring with no shore power. The fully automatic ones seem simpler without the potential for the float switch to fail, but there is also the additional drain on the battery to deal with. Thanks in advance for the advice.
Brian



karaandbrianjohnson@hotmail.com

[sloopjohnl]

there are lots of opinions on what you need and all have have good arguments. many like to see two pumps (one higher than the other in case there is a failure). some call for one of each, the automatic low and the auxillary with float switch higher. i was in the same predicament as you and opted for the float switch to take care of the boat while i was away, but at the same time i carry a spare "wash down" pump with hoses in case i get to the boat and there was failure but the boat is still floating. this way i only have to recharge the battery on my typhoon once or twice a season.

Hello all,
I am about to replace the bilge pump on my boat and I am looking for opinions/advice on the benefits of "Automatic" bilge pumps (the type that cycle at a specific time interval to sense for water) verses the manual electric pumps coupled with a float switch. My boat is on a mooring with no shore power. The fully automatic ones seem simpler without the potential for the float switch to fail, but there is also the additional drain on the battery to deal with. Thanks in advance for the advice.
Brian

[Frank]

there are lots of opinions on what you need and all have have good arguments. many like to see two pumps (one higher than the other in case there is a failure). some call for one of each, the automatic low and the auxillary with float switch higher. i was in the same predicament as you and opted for the float switch to take care of the boat while i was away, but at the same time i carry a spare "wash down" pump with hoses in case i get to the boat and there was failure but the boat is still floating. this way i only have to recharge the battery on my typhoon once or twice a season.

Hello all,
I am about to replace the bilge pump on my boat and I am looking for opinions/advice on the benefits of "Automatic" bilge pumps (the type that cycle at a specific time interval to sense for water) verses the manual electric pumps coupled with a float switch. My boat is on a mooring with no shore power. The fully automatic ones seem simpler without the potential for the float switch to fail, but there is also the additional drain on the battery to deal with. Thanks in advance for the advice.
Brian

I would opt to install a small solar panel and the auto pump. I have used the auto pump (shore power) and they are great security.
No worries mate!!!
Good Luck
Frank



ccmlake@msn.com

[Ken Cave]

Need to know the type of boat you have, as it has a lot do do with the pump that you might need (or fit!) We also need the length of hose you are planning to use to expel the water from the bilge-as that also can make a difference in the type of pump and its installation.

Ken Cave
CD 28 #227



bcave@whidbey.net

[Brian Johnson]

Ken,
My boat is a CD 26D. I am not sure how much lift there will be but I would estimate it at about 4 feet. As for the length of hose--probably about 12 feet, but again, only an estimate.
Thanks,
Brian

[Rich]

I'm in the process of installing a bilge pump in my CD26 and have opted to go with a separate the float switch and non-auto pump. I get the usual slow trickle into my bilge that on random occasions can amount to several inches of water. I'm going to mount the float switch 2 or 3 inches higher than the pump, figuring that I'll get less cycling of the pump. If the bilge is staying relatively dry, the pump won't even come on and I can use the manual pump next time I'm on board.

By the way, the previous owner had mounted a pump to a brick and set that into the bilge. It seemed to stay put and resolved the need to be able to quickly retrieve the pump. Any opinions?



rpassmore42@hotmail.com

[Ken Cave]

Brian:

You might have the same problem that I have with that length of hose, and I still haven't figured what to do with the problem. What happens is that after the pump shuts off, all the water in the hose dumps back into the bilge and recycles the pump back on if I leave the switch on automatic.

As I have installed a PSS unit on the shaft, I have solved that part of the problem concerning getting water in the bilge during motoring.

I also tried installing a one way valve on the hose-that did not work.

So now, I use the manual pump to get any excess water out of the bilge and turn on the electric pump (which is a Rule 3700!)when I am out in snot just in case........

Ken Cave
CD28 #227



bcave@whidbey.net

[Catherine Monaghan]

Brian,

On a recent extended cruise the oil pressure sensor on our Westerbeke 21A developed a leak which we weren't aware of until we had reached port and did an engine check. The engine ran fine, there were no indications of anything wrong while underway. Inspection of the bilge showed otherwise -- lots of oily water. (Oh, we found the source of the water and took care of that too.) I was very glad that we didn't have an automatic bilge pump otherwise we would have left an ugly, not to mention illegal, oil slick behind us for several miles. We had to use a handpump and empty gallon water bottles to get rid of that crap. Anyway, we have two manual bilge pumps -- the one that was installed by Cape Dory and an emergency high output pump (also manual). Just something to consider.


catherine_monaghan@merck.com
CD32 <a href="http://www.hometown.aol.com/bcomet/real ... ization</a>, #3
Rahway, NJ
Raritan Bay

Hello all,
I am about to replace the bilge pump on my boat and I am looking for opinions/advice on the benefits of "Automatic" bilge pumps (the type that cycle at a specific time interval to sense for water) verses the manual electric pumps coupled with a float switch. My boat is on a mooring with no shore power. The fully automatic ones seem simpler without the potential for the float switch to fail, but there is also the additional drain on the battery to deal with. Thanks in advance for the advice.
Brian

catherine_monaghan@merck.com

[Jay]

I have the same problem. I'm assuming the fix is to raise the float switch so that it is an inch or two above the pump so that the water in the hose is only a small fraction of the volume needed to turn on the pump. Any thoughts? Jay

You might have the same problem that I have with that length of hose, and I still haven't figured what to do with the problem. What happens is that after the pump shuts off, all the water in the hose dumps back into the bilge and recycles the pump back on if I leave the switch on automatic.

As I have installed a PSS unit on the shaft, I have solved that part of the problem concerning getting water in the bilge during motoring.

I also tried installing a one way valve on the hose-that did not work.

So now, I use the manual pump to get any excess water out of the bilge and turn on the electric pump (which is a Rule 3700!)when I am out in snot just in case........

Ken Cave
CD28 #227

jpeters@maine.edu

[Ken Cave]

Should work!!

I have my pump and switch mounted on an aluminum plate that fits into the bilge area. The problem is that I have no place to mount the switch as I have the hose running through the narrow part where I could raise the switch!

However, these pumps are supposed to be waterproof! There might be a solution in building a platform on top of the hose as I only use the pump for emergencies!(like taking in lots of water due to an engine or PSS failure!!)

Thanks for the info!!

Ken Cave



bcave@whidbey.net