Bilge Pump Flow Back

[Jongleur]

On my C30, the bilge pump hose is about 1.5" diameter
and runs uphill for about 12' before dropping
down to the outflow. Therefore, 12' of 1.5" inch
hose full of water flows back into the bilge and is
never pumped out. There's a check valve, but they
always eventually leak.

Has anybody rerouted the hose so that it pumps
up acutely, then falls all the way to the outflow?

Could it be routed up under the sink near the galley
cupboard then down toward the stern? That would
make only about 6' of up before the down. That'd
at least cut the back flow in half. It doesn't even
have to go up very high, as long as the down is
always down. The bottom of the bilge is less than
2' below the waterline.

Any other ideas? I did a search but didn't find this
issue.

Thanks for any help.

 

[Coriolisbc]

I just use a sponge and a bucket, sponge out all the water, wipe dry, then add a couple of drops of liquid detergent for the next time

 

[Anonymous 121765]

Jong,

The most common check valves used in this application are either spring or wafer type. I've tried both but, because the pump in not centrifugal, yea, expect some flowback. The basic bilge pumps are open impeller designs which has no internal check valve/closeoff feature, hence backflow.

I just live with mine.

CR

 

[Jongleur]

Anybody got a dry bilge? How do you do it?

Does your packing gland not drip?

 

[Anonymous 121765]

Jong,

My bilge has dust in it for most of the time.

I have a PSS waterless shaftseal. Sure, I get alittle backflow water after my bilge pump shuts off but, I no longer have to fight re-packing my wet seal stuffing box. Little room in which to work, OH how I miss that.

Always look forward, never be satisfied with the present.

CR

 

[Bob S]

I do the sponge bucket routine. GFO packing helped a lot but I still get water after a good rain storm. I know it's coming from the steering quadrant but I can't figure out where. It doesn't help that Catalina plumbed the head shower into the bilge. We don't often use it unless it gets too cold to shower at the stern.

 

[Jongleur]

Thanks Bob.

 

[drpaoletta]

I noticed this problem after checking my bilge float switch with fresh water during regular maintenance. Other than that, with a dripless shaft seal my bilge stays pretty dry. I keep a big sponge in the bilge and check/empty before and after a sail. Your idea of rerouting the discharge hose so it is more horizontal should improve the situation.

 

[jonelli]

My bilge is pretty dry. I have a dripless shaft that was just serviced not too long ago. We've had our boat for 3 months and the bilge has never got any water in it to pump out.

I have a bait pump on the exit to the shower drain with a button in the head to pump it back into the sink to drain out. I don't know if that is typical.

 

[Jongleur]

bait pump on the exit to the shower drain with a button in the head to pump it back into the sink

Excellent idea, Thanks.

 

[Team118]

I have 2 bilge pumps installed.

One with a float switch that sits about 3" off the base of the bilge. It will never get used unless I have a problem. It runs off a 1.5" hose.

The other is a smaller pump running off a 1/2" hose. It will pump the bilge almost completely dry and as it's running I lift it up and place it in a small pot. When I turn it off, about a cup of water drains back into pot which I dump overboard...

These pics were from a few years ago....but the setup remains the same. The original platform was made of wood encased in epoxy but it still rotted. I redid with synthetic decking material which I just 5200'd to the floor.

Chris

 

[Anonymous 121765]

Team,

Sometimes the best fix is the easiest one.

Your process should quell those complaints of a quick way to contain the flowback.

Don't ya just luv it when a plan comes together?

CR

 

[Jongleur]

Team118:

Thanks. That's a good idea.

 

[Lost Parent]

For the shower I hooked up a 12 utility pum to the shower line and ran it through the hull side just below deck line with a switch on the bathroom wall ...works great