[Rhodes22-list] Bilge Pump Question

[Michael D. Weisner]

Caesar,

I also have one connected to the sink drain.  It is a Shurflo or RuleMate 
similar to this one:
http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|51|299222|84462|1285130&id=1284879

This one is $18, runs on 12V and outputs to 3/4" hose.  Sounds about right.

I placed the pump in the front of the centerboard bilge in a low spot in the 
cement.  I can access it through the "trap door" in the floor near the 
bulkhead (under the mast.)  I ran power leads back along the centerboard 
trunk to the bulkhead at the companionway where I snaked the leads over to 
the power panel.  The 3/4" hose (clear so that I can see the water as it is 
pumped out) is run under the cabin floor and up through a 3/4" hole in the 
floor plywood in the corner in front of the sink, behind the galley front 
and connected to the 1-1/8" sink drain with a "Y" towards the starboard 
drain using a 3/4" to 1-1/8" adapter.  The pump is manually controlled by a 
switch in the power panel.  I never needed an automatic control since it is 
a good excuse to get to the boat at least once every two weeks (forces me to 
find time to sail.)

I later added a second pump to the lazarette storage area.  The pump is 
positioned forward of the cockpit floor drain, just behind the foam under 
the cockpit floor.  The power is snaked under the seats to the companionway 
bulkhead and over to the power panel.  The drain is connected to the 
starboard cockpit seat drain line using a 3/4" x 3/4" "T" fitting.  It is 
also manually controlled.

The major things that I have found are:
    1. Pump must be submersible
    2. Pump must be inexpensive since they require replacement every
            few years.  I have a spare on board.
    3. Pump should not draw more than a couple of amps so that it
            doesn't kill the battery since I run mine regularly to remove
            rain and splash water.
    4. Make sure that the outlet is above the water line in case the pump
            or the hose fails.  You can also service the system while in the
            water this way.
    5. Don't make any new holes in the hull if not absolutely needed.
    6. Self priming design (centrifugal pump).
    7. Don't forget to clean debris from inlet screen periodically.

Mike
s/v Shanghai'd Summer ('81)
Nissequogue River, NY

From: "Lowe, Rob" Tuesday, December 22, 2009 2:45 PM
> Caesar,
> I've got an automatic one, but leave it turned off except when I first get 
> on the boat where I turn it on (if I remember, I get so little water on 
> the boat that I usually forget).  Mine runs to the sink drain where it T's 
> in just below the sink.  You need to run the bilge drain line so that it 
> loops up above that point or you run the risk of water coming back in 
> through the through hull when heeled over to starboard.  I'll send photos 
> tomorrow if needed.  What I don't like about automatic pumps is they work 
> off a float.  When the float signals the pump to stop, there is still some 
> water in the drain line that drains back into the bilge, which tells the 
> pump to come on again, and it can continue to cycle.  I had one that (I 
> think) cycled like that and burned the pump out. So now I just use my 
> automatic one manually. - rob
> ________________________________________
> From: rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org 
> [rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org] On Behalf Of Caesar Paul 
> [caesarpaul01 at yahoo.com]
> Sent: Tuesday, December 22, 2009 1:28 PM
> To: rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org
> Subject: [Rhodes22-list] Bilge Pump Question
>
> Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays to all!
>
> How many of you have a bilge pump installed on your Rhodes, and what kind 
> (automatic or manual)?
>
> Where is it installed  and how did you run or route the outlet hose?
>
> If I had one installed last June when I broke my centerboard cap, I would 
> have discovered the damage much earlier.
>
> I have a west marine manual type, but am considering installing an 
> electric automatic one.
>
> Thanks,
> Caesar
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