Any info regarding installation of auto bilge pump for CD 30 would be appreciated. Since there are so many new models ie Rule etc., would appreciate any recommendations. Boat has manual pump as well as sump pump for shower. What is the best application for auto pump?
Many thanks for any info!
Jack Kelley
jjkel@massed.net
CD 30 automatic bilge pump
Moderator: Jim Walsh
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Larry DeMers
Re: CD 30 automatic bilge pump
We bought a Rule 2000..or something. A big sucker, that I mounted on a wood plank, and slipped it down the access hatch in the salon's sole. The hose goes out between the engine pan and the floor, just under the stairs. I installed another thruhull, about a foot down from the rail on the port stern quarter. Tie a rope on the board that the pump is mounted on, and tie it off on some feature or wire harness near the access door in the cabin (not under tension). This will give you instant access to the pump for maintenance or clearing a plastic bag etc..[now how the heck did this get there?].
For the sensor, I did something a bit different than the usual switch that fails in two years or jambs (their reputation). I looked for a passive depth switch that would measure the depth regardless of bilge content or action..not that our bilge is a mess. But stuff happens..so it's safer to plan for the worse of two possibilities, and then rejoice at how lucky you indeed are, when nothing awful happens! Feels good even..;^))
So I bought a little pressure switch that incorporates a metal bellows attached to an adjustable microswitch. I attached a 1/8 in. plastic tube to the bellows, and routed it down to the board that I mounted the bilgepump on. The switch assembly comes with a small bell that attaches to the hose end. This bell traps the air in the tube, keeps junk out of the tube and away from the opening.
Now what happens is that as the water level increases, the back airpressure on the bellows increases, finally reaching the [adjustable] microswitch setpoint, at which time it trips..the bilge pump comes on...and the water level hopefully decreases quickly. As the water drops, the reverse operation occurs, shutting off the pump.
I mounted our pump fairly high up, as I depend on manual pumping for the usual 4 or 5 strokes we take on during a day. This way, I can keep track of the strokes needed, and note an increase. The bilge pump is very quiet and cannot be heard outside of the cabin, so you could have a big leak and never know it.
So this pump is the backup pump, and has never been run in earnest. I have a counter on the pump circuit, so that the number of times it is called for is read into the counter (digitally, fed by a ten year lithium battery).
Hope this helps,
Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30 ~~~~Soon, really soon..we'll see the lawn! ugh~~~
demers@sgi.com
For the sensor, I did something a bit different than the usual switch that fails in two years or jambs (their reputation). I looked for a passive depth switch that would measure the depth regardless of bilge content or action..not that our bilge is a mess. But stuff happens..so it's safer to plan for the worse of two possibilities, and then rejoice at how lucky you indeed are, when nothing awful happens! Feels good even..;^))
So I bought a little pressure switch that incorporates a metal bellows attached to an adjustable microswitch. I attached a 1/8 in. plastic tube to the bellows, and routed it down to the board that I mounted the bilgepump on. The switch assembly comes with a small bell that attaches to the hose end. This bell traps the air in the tube, keeps junk out of the tube and away from the opening.
Now what happens is that as the water level increases, the back airpressure on the bellows increases, finally reaching the [adjustable] microswitch setpoint, at which time it trips..the bilge pump comes on...and the water level hopefully decreases quickly. As the water drops, the reverse operation occurs, shutting off the pump.
I mounted our pump fairly high up, as I depend on manual pumping for the usual 4 or 5 strokes we take on during a day. This way, I can keep track of the strokes needed, and note an increase. The bilge pump is very quiet and cannot be heard outside of the cabin, so you could have a big leak and never know it.
So this pump is the backup pump, and has never been run in earnest. I have a counter on the pump circuit, so that the number of times it is called for is read into the counter (digitally, fed by a ten year lithium battery).
Hope this helps,
Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30 ~~~~Soon, really soon..we'll see the lawn! ugh~~~
Jack Kelley wrote: Any info regarding installation of auto bilge pump for CD 30 would be appreciated. Since there are so many new models ie Rule etc., would appreciate any recommendations. Boat has manual pump as well as sump pump for shower. What is the best application for auto pump?
Many thanks for any info!
Jack Kelley
demers@sgi.com
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sloopjohnl
Re: CD 30 automatic bilge pump
checkout recent article on bilge pumps at sailnet.com
Jack Kelley wrote: Any info regarding installation of auto bilge pump for CD 30 would be appreciated. Since there are so many new models ie Rule etc., would appreciate any recommendations. Boat has manual pump as well as sump pump for shower. What is the best application for auto pump?
Many thanks for any info!
Jack Kelley
-
Larry DeMers
Re: CD 30 automatic bilge pump; forgot to mention..
I wanted to add that the pressure switch is a little device carried by Groco, (West Marine has it) and cost ~$40. This device is mounted in the engine compartment..nice and high and dry, easily accessed for maintenance and adjustments.
Larry
demers@sgi.com
Larry
Larry DeMers wrote: We bought a Rule 2000..or something. A big sucker......etc.
demers@sgi.com