Good Bilge Pump??

[nuttyboater]

http://www.iboats.com/SeaSense_Auto...5576024--**********.517025168--view_id.392307

Anyone tried this model? Good price for an auto pump with builtin float switch.

I was thinking of swapping out my manual one and keeping it as a spare since it does work.

 

[jevery]

Re: Good Bilge Pump??

At about 1/3 the price of a similar size Mayfair auto pump it seems a little too cheap. I wouldn't trust the switch long term, but it could outlast the Mayfair too.

 

[Uraijit]

Re: Good Bilge Pump??

At that price, what've you got to lose? If it lasts 1/3 the time of a "higher end" pump, you'll get your money's worth. And like the guy above me said, it might just outlast them.

I'm in the market for a bilge pump right now too, so I think I'll snag one of these, and give 'er a go.

If your bilge is anything like mine, you've got room for a couple of pumps. Why not leave the old one in there as a backup. If you're ever in a situation where you gotta move a lot of water out fast (God forbid), it wouldn't hurt to have two of 'em doing the job.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Good Bilge Pump??

one of those nearly sank my boat. the wiring solder joint was bad, had 18 inches of water in the boat, from a thunder storm in the Keys. the first time the pump had been in the water, i had tested it the day before. sure they warranted it. but had to spend $90.00 in the keys for a replacement. i had 2 other pumps in the shed at home.

 

[nuttyboater]

Re: Good Bilge Pump??

For the price, and i agree sometimes cheap isn't good but not always, i might still get one and take a chance on it and leave the other bilge pump in as suggested, i could always switch back if i had to.

Thanks for the heads up on the bad solder joint, if nothing else i will test it in a pan of water for a while before putting it in the boat, and if i get any problems i will just take it apart and fix that myself, i hate dealing with a warranty on such a cheap item for something as simple as a solder joint.

But then i work on electronics and enjoy the smell of solder fumes on a daily basis!

 

[littlebookworm]

Re: Good Bilge Pump??

As I understand it, more boats sink at the dock while the owner's away tahn sink on the bay or the ocean because of waves, storms, etc. Why owuld you want to take a chance on something that may lead to your boat sinking at the dock while you're not there? IMHO, you buy the best, most powerful pump your wallet and your bilge can support. Save the inexpensive one for the shower drain. Safe boating. Hy

 

[nuttyboater]

Re: Good Bilge Pump??

Well thats not a really big problem for me, if my boat is on the water i will be in it, i won't be tying up to a dock and leaving it unattended, me or the significant other and kids will always be in the boat. But point taken!

 

[gss036]

Re: Good Bilge Pump??

I will add my nickels worth since I just had to replace one today. It was a RULE 1500GPH, cost me $95, replacement was the same as the old one which was 19 years old, so you get what you pay for. The thing is with a bilge pump, you really need it when it is time to use it.
My old still barley ran and was back feeding the electrical system because of an internal problem with the motor.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Good Bilge Pump??

I like you do not leave my boat in the water unattended either. I also like to keep it smiple.
I have never had a bilge pump fail on my boat but it only 28 years old.
I have seen many fail on friends boats. So each has been a result of a float switch problem.
Some the float switch hung up or got debree under it where the pump staied on and burned up.
Others the switch did not work when raised the float, either a croded wire or bad switch.
So on my boat mine are both manual pumps.
If I ever do add a float switch I will add it seperate to the smaller pump and also connect a alarm beeper to it.
If you do ever take a wave or punch a hole in the hull 2 pumps are better than one and a 5 gallon bucket is still better.

So far only had water in the boat one time and it was from a freez plug that pushed out.
Put the plug back in and pumped the water out.

 

[nuttyboater]

Re: Good Bilge Pump??

After reading some stuff on this website and a few others i'm starting to question an auto pump for some of the very reasons you mentioned. Either they had a bad switch, got stuck on, or the float was wedged by debris and couldn't come on.

For the price, and the small pain it is to turn it on now and then, i might just stick with a manual pump, i'm hoping she doesn't leak enough to need a pump running that often anyway!

The one i have now i'm not sure of its GPH rating, i would have to pull it out and look at it again. I guess i could always add another cheap manual pump and put an outlet on the other side of the boat, or put a "Y" in and just connect both pumps to the same outlet. A single pole double throw switch up front and i could select either pump, one fails go to the other.

The manual pumps sure seem cheap compared to the auto units when you compare them by GPH rating.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Good Bilge Pump??

If the boat leaks or and inboard engine leaks fix the leak. You do not want water in the Bilge, it rots stringer, add weight, burns more fuel, makes boat slower, and less stable.

If you use two pumps I suggest you have the output on a seperate hose and on the same side. A Y hose may allow water under pressure to flow back to the other pump and into the bilge. If you put the output on the other side then from the helm you will not be able to look over the side and see output from both pumps.

 

[nuttyboater]

Re: Good Bilge Pump??

At this point i don't know what kind of leakage if any that i will have to contend with. It's an aluminum boat with only a wooden deck, no wooden stringers but aluminum, so at least the only potential rot items i have is the deck and transom.

Going to put some water in the bilge with the boat sitting level and see if i can find any leaks underneath this week. Going to finish getting the outboard running this week also! Maybe if i'm lucky i can get it in the water next weekend, also replacing the water pump on the tow vehicle tomorrow.

 

[DRIFTER_016]

Re: Good Bilge Pump??

I have two bilge pumps wired through a bilge pump control center.
My pums are a 550 GHP and an 1100 GPH Rules. I have the small pump as my main hooked up to an external float switch. I have the second larger pump hooked up to one of the new electronic switches mounted an inch and a half higher. In auto mode the small pump will come on when there is an inch of water in the bilge. If the float switch fails and the water rises another 1 1/2" the second switch pump combo will trip the 1100 GPH pump and the alarm to notify me that the first pump is not working. When I switch to manual both pumps come on. Both pumps are mounted at the same level only the switches are at different heights. I put this system in place after I had a switch fail and only the small pump (popped a rivet and took on 50 Gal of H2O while trolling and didn't notice until I went to run back in.