Bilge Pump Electric

[ssponar]

I have a new H-25 fiberglass sloop which came equipped with a manual bilge pump. While there has been no indication of water in the bilge, I live in the Pacific Northwest where we're likely to get lots of rain. Hence, I would like to install an electric bilge pump.

Do small electric pumps tie into the existing bilge pump piping or is it necessary to install separate piping? Are there any preference to brand or model? Any words to the wise?

Thanks,

Steve

 

[higgs]

You could certainly T into the thru hull plumbing for the manual. No sense in putting another hole into the bottom of your boat. I have never heard any bad comments on any brand of available pumps. There are some manufacturers that integrate a float switch with their pump. Float switches have a tendency to go bad after a few years while pumps last almost forever. I lean towards a seperate float switch which are inexpensive to replace.

 

[Benny17441]

If you T into the existing discharge hose you will just be pumping water back into the bilge through the manual pump. You would need to install a check valve (not recommended as they can get fouled) or run a 2nd discharge line. It has been my experience that smaller boats need the larger pumps as they tend to fill up faster. Nevertheless these electric bilge pumps with an automatic switch are merely convenience pumps (to avoid manual pumping) and not really a safety item to rely upon when the boat is unattended. Nothing substitutes a regular inspection of hoses, clamps, drains and thru hulls.

 

[higgs]

I agree that you need a check valve.

 

[CalebD]

I have both a manual and electric bilge pump on my T 27' and they are both plumbed separately to their own discharge holes just above the water line. I believe that this is the safest way to do it.

I'm also not a fan of the pumps with built in sensors as they can cycle on and off at their whim and drain your batteries. If the sensor fails and leaves the pump running then again you drain your batteries. As previously mentioned they make 'float switches' which can turn the pump on and off. I don't even like these. I like to know how much water is getting into my boat and this gives me an excuse to visit it weekly to check the bilge and run the bilge pump for a minute or less. It is nice to know that my boat is relatively dry.

As for brand names I've had good luck with the Rule centrifugal pumps. For around $50 or less you can get something like a 500 gph pump. It won't save your boat if there is a hole in it but it is fine for removing a little water as needed. When this one fails I'll just get another for $50.