[Public-List] Bilge pumps

[Stephen Gwyn]

Hi,

I disagree on both points: Electric bilge pumps can last and 
automatic bilge pumps are useful.

My electric bilge pumps (West Marine / Johnson cheapies, one 
2200gph and one 500gph) have had no problems since I got them. On 
the other hand, I've rebuilt the manual one once and I just 
noticed it's leaking again. And the kits aren't cheap.

Although my boat rarely leaks salt water (except when I neglect 
the stuffing box) fresh water from rain and the melting ice in 
the icebox end up in the bilge. I installed a bilge pump counter
this winter which showed that when it rains heavily, the pump can
run 2-3 times a week. While I wouldn't count on the automatic
bilge pump to deal with a real leak, getting the rainwater out
of the bilge means I can leave the boat for 2-3 weeks.

In answer to the original question, my manual bilge pump connects 
to a hose and strainer which dangles behind the engine, behind 
the last mini-bulkhead at the back of the bilge. The small 
electric bilge pump hose goes down into the same compartment, 
then through the little hole in the mini-bulkhead. The small pump
itself sits just in front of the mini-bulkhead, in the main part
of the bilge. In front of it is the automatic switch. In front of 
that is the big electric pump. Its hose leads up, over the top
of the mini-bulkhead. The two electric pumps and the switch
are screwed to a piece of plastic which rests on the bottom
of the bilge (but is not screwed to it). The plastic is held
to the back of the bilge by a vertical rod bolted to the
back of the battery compartment. All the hoses lead in to
the port locker, then the stern locker, then over the side 
through the starboard stern through hull.

Stephen
#495 Quasar




> Don't waste your time
> Many of the bilge pumps fail every year or two - after 2 or 3
> replacements you will find that you are getting tired of putting a new
> pump in. The simple fact is that the boat is pretty water tight and auto
> bilges create more problems than they solve.

> Check that the whale manual pump you have works and just be 
sure to
> visit the boat from time to time.

> C.B. Currier
> Infinity #57
> Daybreak #458

------------------------------------------------------------------
  Stephen Gwyn                 |  Tel: 1-250-363-3136
  Dept. of Physics & Astronomy |  Fax: 1-250-363-0045
  Univ. of Victoria            |  Cell: 1-250-885-6969
  PO Box 3055                  |  E-mail: gwyn at uvastro.phys.uvic.ca
  Victoria, BC  V8W 3P6        |  http://orca.phys.uvic.ca/~gwyn
------------------------------------------------------------------


 1278539924.0