Greetings All,
I am replacing thr bilge pump on my 365 sloop. Recommendations would be appreciated. A separate float switch or integrate in the pump?
Thanks,
Carl
sv Sea Hiker
There are several possibilities to consider...
1) Pump only – probably the most common bilge pump system installed on the vast majority of boats. The pump is direct wired to a remote switch or a circuit breaker. The switch supplies
power to the pump when the bilge needs to be pumped.
• Pros – eliminates the possibility of draining batteries from an automatic system. Eliminates the possibility of pumping non approved liquids over the side "automatically".
• Cons – will not keep your boat from water damage or sinking while you are not aboard. Can unintentionally be left "ON". Up to the memory of the user to operate the pump.
2) Pump with external float switch – Typically left on while not aboard, this system allows the pump to run as required saving the boat until the batteries are depleted.
• Pros – this system can save the boat by itself if required until batteries are spent. Allows the user the ability to lift the switch and "test" the pump. An "Auto-OFF-ON" switch can be installed
allowing the user to select which mode the pump can be utilized.
• Cons – Introduces the possibility of pumping non approved liquids over the side "automatically". Can deplete batteries if a malfunction occurs. More than one component to go wrong.
3) Pump with built in internal float switch – The float switch is enclosed in the base of the pump and protected from stuck debris falsely running the pump.
• Pros – greatly reduces the possibility of the float switch becoming "stuck".
• Cons – makes it much more difficult to manual "test" the pump. If the switch goes bad you have to replace the entire unit even if the pump portion is still functional.
4) "Automatic" pump – relatively a newer design where the pump is periodically cycled from an internal electronic timer. If the electronic control system sees a high amperage draw (due to
pumping water) the pump continues to run until the amperage drops (pumping air).
• Pros – no switch to become fouled with debris. No need to leave switch system in "automatic mode" to be protected while you are away. The cycle timer exercises the pump minimizing a
stuck pump. Within a few dollars of the cost of a separate switch and pump combination.
• Cons – uses some battery power during water pump trial cycles. No ability to "test" the pump system. Freezing conditions can cause a false positive and attempt to run the pump while
frozen.
Over the past several years the majority of my customers have been switching to automatic pumps when it comes time to replace either the switch or the pump. The vast majority of pumps we sell are manufactured by Rule. The warranty on a Rule automatic pump is (3) years which is pretty darn good. I cannot remember ever replacing a customer's pump under warranty.
Dale Tanski
Obersheimer Sailer Supply
Maruska Hull #40 Ketch
Bigger questions on a pump are How Many, What size, and Where in the bilge?
Personally, I believe in having 3. All with separate overboard hoses.
1: A manual pump in the cockpit. You will need to test and/or replace or rebuild this pump occasionally. Its amazing how many boats have these emergency pumps and they don't even work because of rotted diaphragms or hoses.
Test by turning off the other pumps and running a garden hose into your bilge. Then pump to see how much you can eject.
2: A very large pump, with a remote float switch higher in the bilge which is also connected to a very loud alarm. You will have to test this occasionally with the "on, off auto" switch on your panel or by lifting the remote float switch.
3: A small pump, ideally a "Gulper" which will keep your bilge dryer than conventional large pumps and take care of small leaks and dribbles.
The bilge pump discharge from our Concordia emptied into the cockpit. Yep, right there for all to see... and that was the point. Hard to miss if you've got a problem. Also, made a splashing noise too as an added benefit if you were below.
Dale pretty well laid it out. Whatever type system you do set up, I highly recommend that whenever the bilge is being pumped automatically, you are forced to be aware of it. Even if you are snoring in your bunk up forward. Cheers!
As much as every commercially built boat I have ever been on has had a manual pump in the cockpit, and I am sure it is there to meet some requirement, have you ever tried to really pump any amount of water with that pump? Most are in an awkward location, uncomfortable to operate or a bent over position to operate for sure. Just try and operate one of those babies for 10 minutes straight, you will start collecting your valuables and heading for the liferaft because saving your boat with one of those is going to be difficult at best.
A reasonable capacity pump with a switch down low in the bilge and a high capacity (3750 GPH or more) with a switch higher is a nice way to go. You can also plum in a tee for your engine cooling water suction line that has a bottom of the bilge pickup strainer that can be opened with a valve. This will also move a good amount of water while running your engine to keep the batteries up during a real emergency.
I charted a boat once with 5 other people up in Canadas Georgian Bay. The first night out on the hook I kept hearing this whirring/cycling sound while trying to go asleep. After some rooting around I discovered that a brand new looking bilge pump install would run, empty the bilge, shut off and water would run right back in and fill the bilge. Apparently empty with no one aboard or full tankage it probably operated fine, but loaded down the boats discharge thru hull was just a little too low and water would find its way back down the discharge hose. By morning I'm sure that batteries would have been flat or maybe worse. I happened to find an old grungy check valve laying in the corner of the bilge and installed that in the discharge line which solved the problem.
It doesn't hurt to wire in a small LED light on your binnacle that lights up every time your pump cycles. Once in a while OK, but too many times would prompt a look see.
Good Sailing!
Dale