Are bilge pumps ok for continuous duty?

[ZmOz]

Can anyone tell me of a ~500gph Rule bilge pump is ok for continuous duty? Not for my boat, for my pool actually. ALOT cheaper than a 500gph, pool rated 110v pump...

 

[DJ]

Re: Are bilge pumps ok for continuous duty?

ZmOz,<br /><br />Good question. <br /><br />I have run one for over three hours (same reason-pool). It didn't seem to harm it. The battery went flat first. <br /><br />You most likely won't get 500 gph out of it though if you have to lift the water any height.<br /><br />Make sure you use a hose with a smooth bore. Corrugated hoses really hurt effeciency.

 

[wajajaja]

Re: Are bilge pumps ok for continuous duty?

no, the pool pump is calculated for the pressure /resistance of the hose/and filter, lift back into the pool, the bilge pump is a minimal lift unrestricted hose, probaly 3/4 inch diameter, the pool is 1 1/2 to 2" hose.

 

[ZmOz]

Re: Are bilge pumps ok for continuous duty?

Not asking about the flow. I've already got it hooked up how I want it, and it's been running all day without a problem. It's pushing water through some black tubing to heat it up. It's hooked up to a transformer for 12v lighting. Just wondering if it's going to burn out soon or not...

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Are bilge pumps ok for continuous duty?

I do not believe that bilge pumps would be rated for "continous duty". That being said, they are cheap enough, give it a whirl.

 

[djvan]

Re: Are bilge pumps ok for continuous duty?

Can't remember how but if you use one or two check valves in your black hose "heater" pipe. You don't need a pump after it's primed, the heat will move the water very slowly. A friend of mine had this setup and it worked out all right.<br /><br />DougV>

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Are bilge pumps ok for continuous duty?

ZmOz – almost all bilge pumps are “intermittent” duty with a rated duty cycle … something like 5-mins on/15-mins off, give or take. There are some “medium” duty pumps that are rated for something like 30-min run intervals…also used for fuel transfer, ballast, oil change. What you want for your pool is a “continuous” duty pump. Once you get into a continuous duty pumps big enough for a pool…you are paying for a pool pump without protection from pool chemicals. You need a pool pump. Suggestion: throw fish in there and make it into a pond.

 

[ZmOz]

Re: Are bilge pumps ok for continuous duty?

18rabbit - That's about what I thought it would be. Why is it like that though? I can't imagine it would possibly overheat submerged in cold water...

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Are bilge pumps ok for continuous duty?

It is a conspiracy financially supported by the pool pump industry.

 

[Ken G]

Re: Are bilge pumps ok for continuous duty?

I use an Atwood submersible bilge pump in a Super Baittank II. It runs continously while in use. I have run it for as long as 3 weeks at a time and no problems so far.

 

[POINTER94]

Re: Are bilge pumps ok for continuous duty?

Most low cost bilge pumps are mag drive pumps and they allow for the pump to run without being submerged or even pumping water. (No mechanical shaft seal) The fact that the pump is in a pool doesn't mean that it is getting adequate cooling. A pump can heat the water surrounding it and create a situation where the water around the pump is as warm as the pump itself. I have seen well pumps that send hot water through the cool water tap really messing with the homeowners mind and confidence in his plumber..<br /><br />Solution would be to place the pump in a flow inducer like a coffee can which forces water to constantly pass over the top of the pump and providing constant water turnover and therefor cooling. These are not constant duty pumps but the design lends itself to longer duty cycles. Try to identify the performance range of the pump based on discharge pressure (head) and GPM. Try and create a situation where you are opperating in the middle of the performance curve. 1/2 the max pressure and 1/2 the max gpm. A condition where the pump faces no backpressure will ensure that this unit will fail in a constant duty application.<br /><br />But the pumps are cheap but if you are going to own a pool I would recommend you bite the bullet and buy the right pump for the job. There is a Flotec unit marketed as a basement drainer pump that is actually a pool drainer and can be had at a very reasonable price. If you need the model let me know and I'll look it up for you..<br /><br />FYI: pool drainer pumps are more like 20-50gpm or at least 1200gph.<br /> http://www.flotecwater.com/

 

[kozman01]

Re: Are bilge pumps ok for continuous duty?

Ken G. Can you send me your e-mail address? I have a question about that bait tank set-up you have. Much appreciated. cop_firearms@msn.com