bilge pump which one?

blackfish · Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2007 9:39 pm Post subject: bilge pump which one?

sorry I know this has been covered before
I'm going to install a second bilge pump between the fuel tanks and replace the one in the cabin ( the stupid thing wakes me up every ten minutes all night long)which one should I buy I'm thinking I need one with a float in the cabin so it only comes on when needed

thanks

journey on · Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2007 10:19 pm Post subject:

The first thing I'd ask is why the pump in the cabin comes on every 10 min. The last time a bilge pump did that for me, I found a serious leak. What am I missing (as usual)?

Boris

rogerbum · Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2007 10:39 pm Post subject:

Boris, for awhile C-Dory was installing the Rule "fully automatic" bilge pumps. These have no float switch and their normal operation is to cycle on every 10 mins. Water is detected by increased resistance in the pump. Many previous CD owners found (find) this very annoying and replaced it with a more traditional float switch operated pump. I put a 1100GPM in Rule with an integrated switch in the cabin and another 1100 GPM with a normal float switch under the motor well.

blackfish · Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2007 11:19 pm Post subject:

thanks Roger on the SeaDNA thats what i have a "fully automatic" bilge pump.The "integrated switch in the cabin" so the pump only comes on when you hit the switch?

thanks again

rogerbum · Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2007 11:35 pm Post subject:

blackfish · Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2007 12:10 am Post subject:

thanks rogerbum that's just what I need. Where did you put the drain for the one under the motor well?

rogerbum · Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2007 12:17 am Post subject:

Sea Wolf · Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2007 2:18 am Post subject:

Good thinking all the way through guys!

Putting a replacement pump in the stern under the engine well is a great idea, no matter what!

The only benefit of that mid-cabin "fully automatic" pump is when the boat is moored, docked, or at anchor and needs a forward pump to pump out rainwater which accumulates next to the cabin bulkhead.

Rather than simply yank it out or or completely replace it with a conventional float activated pump, a simpler solution would be to simply put a switch in the power supply line, allowing you to turn it off to sleep. You can then activate it when the boat is left moored unmanned or you're aboard and it's already raining and you need it (you probably won't be able to hear it if it's raining good).

Be sure to add the stern pump anyway!

Just a thought to add......

Joe.

Steven Dore · Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2007 6:54 am Post subject:

When I installed my second pump between the fuel tanks, I used the drain line that was connected to my port side stern compartment. I disconnected the hose from the through hull fitting and connected the bilge pump hose. That way I didn't have to drill another hole in the boat.

MOOSE · Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2007 9:50 am Post subject:

I replaced out fully automatic Rule with a Rule-Mate, float-switch model a couple years ago because I also didn't like the constant cycling.

Now, I too, am thinking about adding a second one between the fuel tanks, but am thinking of a small diaphragm pump to enable pumping out the last drop. I'm thinking of mounting it on the underside of the starboard lazarette shelf, with an inlet strainer in the sump and the discharge (3/4") hose shoved out the cable boot and into the motor well. Then I don't have to install another through-hull discharge port.

For those of you who have installed a more conventional Rule-Mate bilge pump between the fuel tanks, how do you feel it serves in terms of evacuating all of the accumulated water? If I don't have to spend the money on a diaphragm pump, I'd just as soon not.

As an aside, I'm also considering somehow tee-ing in a drain from the fresh water tank, through the drain fitting below the cabin door, such that on the way home from a trip I could open it and drain the water to the aft bilge and then not have to pump it out manually at home.
Al

Wandering Sagebrush · Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2007 10:03 am Post subject: Manual Bilge

I have not installed a second bilge pump yet, but I am thinking of putting a manual Whale pump in as my backup. I am thinking about glueing a good looking piece of wood to the side of the hull to screw the pump down, then running the pick up hose back to the sump between the fuel cells. For the outflow, I think that I may just clip the hose under the gunnel shelf, then flop it over the side when in use.

There was another link on this topic where someone had done something similar, but the pump was through bolted to the hull.

Steve

blackfish · Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2007 10:30 am Post subject:

I think I'm going to just install a switch to the cabin pump then install a second one between the fuel tanks the first owner left us a new(still in package) fully automatic so I'll just use that for now with the drain going to the existing hole on the port side

On a different note Steve just wondering what size kicker you have on the constant craving? also is that alderbay resort in your photo album?

Wandering Sagebrush · Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2007 11:00 am Post subject: Alder Bay

Hi Blackfish,

Yes that is Alder Bay in the background. We decided to launch there to avoid the craziness at Telegraph Cove.

I am running a new Honda 8 (manual start/tilt) for my kicker. I started out with an older classic 8, but did not like the throttle control for trolling. It was a good engine for pushing a sailboat, but not so great as a kicker.

Regards,

Steve

C-Dawg · Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2007 6:39 pm Post subject:

Pardon my ignorance, but does the factory still put a bilge pump in the cabin? I have a 2007 model and haven't located one, only the one between the fuel tanks.

Not For Hire · Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2007 8:54 pm Post subject:

Al, I have the rule 1100 with the integral float switch in the cabin
amidships, by the door. I am sure yours is similar. I liked the pump okay. I planned to buy a big pump for the stern. Then there was a big sale and I ended up putting two more 1100s in the stern.

Both pumps are in the shallow well ahead of bilge plug. Sboard pumps thru cable gusset into motor well. Port pumps thru hull. Both exhaust hoses have goose necks, important for the port side.

The stern pumps never come on that I am awre of. Maybe they come on when I am running and get spray and the occasional green water back there. At rest, during big rains, the midships bilge always turns on first and the water level in the stern doesn't get deep enough to trigger the stern pumps. The switches for the stern pumps are in the lazarettes and if you turn them on manually they will drain to about 3/8 inch. The diaphragm pump would keep the deck drier. I have the three pumps each wired to a separate battery with the stern pumps always hot even when batteries are switched off. I'm aware of the pros and cons of doing so.

However dry your midship bilge keeps that well the stern pump will do the same in the stern well. Of course with boats our vintage the water doesn't nec. flow to stern. Lots of mixed blessings eh?

Mark