Second bilge pump

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gpdno

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May 16, 2011
144
Watkins 27 Venice
I'm looking to install a second bilge as a back-up in case of a failure of my primary pump or float switch.
Should I tee the second pumps discharge into the primary discharge or run it to a second discharge point?

Thanks,
Greg
 
Jun 2, 2004
5,802
Hunter 37-cutter, '79 41 23' 30"N 82 33' 20"W--------Huron, OH
What would keep the water from flowing back into the bilge through the primary pump? Maybe you have a check valve planned. CW doesn't like a check valve. I have my secondary going to the shower sump. But the 27 likely does not have one. I would suggest a separate discharge.
 
Sep 25, 2008
7,696
Alden 50 Sarasota, Florida
Never combine them. Just causes problems and restricts the flow rate of both pumps should they both be required. As the secondary is typically much larger, you couldn't combine them unless you severely restricted the flow of the secondary with small hose which obviously isn't a good idea.
 
Nov 28, 2009
495
Catalina 30 St. Croix
My totally independent bilge pump t's into the cockpit drain line, well above the w/l.
 
May 11, 2005
3,431
Seidelman S37 Slidell, La.
I would never

Run the bilge drains together. As has been mentioned, many problems could very likely ensue. My main concern would be one pump actually just pumping back into the bilge through the other. Check valves are a possibility, but to be effective it would take two of them, which would restrict the flow and just have two more items to screw up.
 
May 1, 2011
5,479
Pearson 37 Lusby MD
I installed a secondary bilge pump last year - completely separate discharge from the primary.
 
Apr 14, 2010
248
Hunter 34 Slidell, La.
I installed a secondary bilge pump ealy this year - completely separate discharge from the primary. I also added a float alarm. If the secondary bilge turns on the alarm sounds. It works too! How do I know, while out sailing this past weekend the packing nut was leaking and filled up the bilge all the way to the second level, the ALARM went off, batteries were low and couldn't push the water out the bilge. Had a spare battery with us and jumped it to get the motor running to charge everything. Evertyhing was good after that. Come to find out both batteries were bad and naturally 3 months out of warranty.
 

gpdno

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May 16, 2011
144
Watkins 27 Venice
Well it looks like I will be installing a second discharge in my boat this weekend. Thanks to everyone for the advice.
 
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