Bilge pump instalation

[Benjamin Disralei]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica]Hi fellow sailors, My Beneteau currently has an manual electric and an hand pump bilge.
I wish to install an automatic bilge. I have purchased a Rule 1100 GPH
auto bilge mate and an auto switch. what I would like to know is should I install this unit totally separate to the manual unit fitted by factory or should it be incorporated. should it need to be incorporated how would the best way to connect the two together be. Like most yachtie's I was not looking forward to drilling another hole in hull for the pump outlet, however if this is required then so be it. all feedback would be appreciated as to the best fit, Thank you.[/FONT][/FONT]

 

[Philip_Oceanis 361]

Why don't you add an automatic floating switch to the current electric pump and keep the Rule 1100 GPH as a back up ready to connect directly to the battery (in case of an emergency)?

 

[Benjamin Disralei]

Philip

That seems like a simple solution, however I am not sure how many G P H the current pump can move and no one has an answer either. If you know could you please let me know.

Did you use the same switch on the dashboard or did you need to install a 3 way switch...?

 

[Gunni]

The larger benes power the electric bilge pump with both a manual switch AND an auto switch, each on it's own breaker circuit. The auto circuit is always on, direct wired to the battery via a fused circuit. But your idea to install a stand-alone pump with auto switch is a better solution with increased redundancy. You would power it battery direct with a resettable circuit breaker on the DC board. In lieu of a switch, you install a button breaker that stays powered even when the DC main breaker is off. You may want to consider placing the auto pump in the low position, and the manual pump pickup at a high position. A bilge pump cycle counter and alarm would let you know that you have a problem and alert you to the need to power on the manual pump. Two pumps running would give you lots more gph capacity. Good luck.

 

[Philip_Oceanis 361]

Philip

That seems like a simple solution, however I am not sure how many G P H the current pump can move and no one has an answer either. If you know could you please let me know.

Did you use the same switch on the dashboard or did you need to install a 3 way switch...?

I have directly connected it to the battery.

 

[Benjamin Disralei]

Hi Gunni and Philip

Thank you both for you informative replies, I will take on board, wire up as such and let you know the out come.

Hope you guy,s are enjoying yourselves and are sailing well.

Cheers Benjamin

 

[suttonski]

I have purchased the same pump for my 361 but have not installed it yet because I don't know how to connect the outlet. Do I have to drill another hole in the hull or can I use an existing outlet hose?
Thanks in advance for your help
Georges