Is it a good idea to install a second bilge pump? Just in case the main one dies and you go away for 2 weeks. Thanks
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J
Jim
J
Jim
Bilge Failure?
Raymond, my immediate response to your question is that a bilge pump itself rarely fails, it is the battery that usually fails and the bilge pump is rendered useless. I'd think a better investment if you leave the boat for weeks at a time may be a solar charging panel for your battery(s). Before you leave, be sure the battery is fully charged, and the panel will maintain that charge for the pump to draw upon. The panel will not charge your battery, it will simply maintain the charge you have. You can have 6 bilge pumps, if you don't leave and maintain a charged battery(s) system, they are all useless. More to be said, but that is my initial reply.....Jim
Raymond, my immediate response to your question is that a bilge pump itself rarely fails, it is the battery that usually fails and the bilge pump is rendered useless. I'd think a better investment if you leave the boat for weeks at a time may be a solar charging panel for your battery(s). Before you leave, be sure the battery is fully charged, and the panel will maintain that charge for the pump to draw upon. The panel will not charge your battery, it will simply maintain the charge you have. You can have 6 bilge pumps, if you don't leave and maintain a charged battery(s) system, they are all useless. More to be said, but that is my initial reply.....Jim
I 2nd the solar charger, it just makes sense
but be sure and bolt it down well, I dont know about your marina but stuff tends to grow leggs here in Fort Lauderdale...
but be sure and bolt it down well, I dont know about your marina but stuff tends to grow leggs here in Fort Lauderdale...
P
Pete
look at what the commercial boats do
they have redundance in bilge pumps, electronics,filters,on and on. They carry a "workshop' of parts with them. Some things can be learned from experience, A high water bilge pump is a good idea (with an alarm is even better)Check out what some of the high end builder are doing.IMO is is a good idea and could save your boat from sinking. I would make the entire second pump seperate from the original (wiring,power source even the bilge hose and thru hull) There is a reasons the commercial boat do what they do !
they have redundance in bilge pumps, electronics,filters,on and on. They carry a "workshop' of parts with them. Some things can be learned from experience, A high water bilge pump is a good idea (with an alarm is even better)Check out what some of the high end builder are doing.IMO is is a good idea and could save your boat from sinking. I would make the entire second pump seperate from the original (wiring,power source even the bilge hose and thru hull) There is a reasons the commercial boat do what they do !
J
Jim
More on bilge pump failure.....
Most sailboat owners probably have something like a Rule 300-1500 GPM pump in their boats, some are automatic, some have a float switch, some may be manual switch. I have a Rule 500 Platinum in my H-27, it is computerized and automatic, and again, entirely dependent upon a charged battery. Aside from battery failure, and even if the pump itself failed due to internal breakdown, my question is then just how much water can really gt into a boat under normal conditions at the dock. We probably all have a leak here and there, maybe moreso in a heavy rain, but in the end not much water really fills the bilge. We do have a responsibility to keep watch over our boats. If a hatch blows off in a storm, the normal bilge will pump out the rainwater if the batteries are charged. In an emergency, like a throughull blowout from lightning strike, a normal bilge wouldn't help much anyway. The incoming water would be far greater than the bilge pump could handle or than 6 Rule pumps could handle, that's assuming the entire electrical system hasn't shorted out first. I think having a spare bilge pump aboard would be a good idea, in the box in a drawer should you need it, but an entirely separate second back-up bilge pump system may be overkill and useless anyway in an emergency. A Whale Gusher as a back-up never hurts, but you have to be aboard <G> Just more thoughts........
Most sailboat owners probably have something like a Rule 300-1500 GPM pump in their boats, some are automatic, some have a float switch, some may be manual switch. I have a Rule 500 Platinum in my H-27, it is computerized and automatic, and again, entirely dependent upon a charged battery. Aside from battery failure, and even if the pump itself failed due to internal breakdown, my question is then just how much water can really gt into a boat under normal conditions at the dock. We probably all have a leak here and there, maybe moreso in a heavy rain, but in the end not much water really fills the bilge. We do have a responsibility to keep watch over our boats. If a hatch blows off in a storm, the normal bilge will pump out the rainwater if the batteries are charged. In an emergency, like a throughull blowout from lightning strike, a normal bilge wouldn't help much anyway. The incoming water would be far greater than the bilge pump could handle or than 6 Rule pumps could handle, that's assuming the entire electrical system hasn't shorted out first. I think having a spare bilge pump aboard would be a good idea, in the box in a drawer should you need it, but an entirely separate second back-up bilge pump system may be overkill and useless anyway in an emergency. A Whale Gusher as a back-up never hurts, but you have to be aboard <G> Just more thoughts........
Jim sounds right!!!
We get a little water down the mast and a small pump can handle that easily. With a failure of a through hull or hose the only real hope is that someone will see the problem and get help. I guess that with shore power and a 10+ amp charger and 2 pumps your boat might stay afloat for a couple of weeks. Our mariana manager says that she walks the docks daily and will contact us if there is something wrong with the boat. Hopefully she will do whatever to prevent a boat from sinking. According to BoatUS most sinkings occur at the dock!!!! I plan to install a third pump to help if our boat trys to sink while we are there. We already have an automatic and cockpit mounted manual pumps Tom
We get a little water down the mast and a small pump can handle that easily. With a failure of a through hull or hose the only real hope is that someone will see the problem and get help. I guess that with shore power and a 10+ amp charger and 2 pumps your boat might stay afloat for a couple of weeks. Our mariana manager says that she walks the docks daily and will contact us if there is something wrong with the boat. Hopefully she will do whatever to prevent a boat from sinking. According to BoatUS most sinkings occur at the dock!!!! I plan to install a third pump to help if our boat trys to sink while we are there. We already have an automatic and cockpit mounted manual pumps Tom
Bilge pump(s)
A back-up pump is cetainly advisable at the dock, but my first concern would be what you need at sea. For major hull breeches or boarding seas, a clutch pump operated by your engine will give you max capacity - as long as the engine runs. After that, a large Whale Gusher, located so a man can comfortably sit and operate it continuously for a long, long period. Electric pumps are OK for bilge maintenance. It has been truly and wisely said: The most efficient bilge pump made is a scared sailor with a bucket.
A back-up pump is cetainly advisable at the dock, but my first concern would be what you need at sea. For major hull breeches or boarding seas, a clutch pump operated by your engine will give you max capacity - as long as the engine runs. After that, a large Whale Gusher, located so a man can comfortably sit and operate it continuously for a long, long period. Electric pumps are OK for bilge maintenance. It has been truly and wisely said: The most efficient bilge pump made is a scared sailor with a bucket.
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