Bilge pump and not picking up water.

[usmeagle]

Folks I have a question concerning bilge pumps, I installed a new one not long ago which is supposed to run my live well and also a small water hose on my 2008 Triton Cypress Cay pontoon, it’s still not really picking up much pressure. I am wondering if it has to do with where they are mounted which is on the motor mount but up a little on the V mount, I’ve noticed the newer pontoons have them mounted on a bracket on the bottom of one of the pontoons.
Any ideas why it’s not really getting any pressure at all?
thanks

 

[HotTommy]

Is this a problem while stainonary or while moving or both?

 

[usmeagle]

Really it’s happens all the time whether it’s stationary or moving.

 

[ahicks]

I would suggest that a normal bilge pump is not designed to make much in the way of pressure. They are WAY more about moving volume!

If it really is a conventional bilge pump, maybe consider a different type of pump designed to make pressure?

If you aren't sure what it is, a pic may allow somebody to recognize it and advise.

 

[HotTommy]

In the absence of more detailed information, I'll offer this. I think bilge pumps are generally designed to be near the water and push it out. If the pump is considerably higher than the water source or a long distance from it, it may not have enough suction to pull the water up to it.

 

[usmeagle]

I will snap a couple of pictures in a little bit and show you what I’m talking about. Thanks

 

[dingbat]

Bilge pumps are centrifugal pumps. They are not self priming and are not designed to move water against back pressure. ie hose

For supply pumps, you need a baitwell, (low pressure, high volume) or a washdown pump( low flow, high pressure).

Make sure you have the pump wired correctly. The pump will not push water if wired backwards

 

[MRS]

Like said above you need a baitwell pump not a bilge pump. On one of my old boats had a 30gal. tank for live bait anchovies and the baitwell pump would fill it up no problems do not go cheap on the right pump.

 

[usmeagle]

Ok folks so possibly I may have the wrong thing installed, here is what I have right now, I looked at the old one and just replaced it with the same kind with just more GPH.
here is a pic
the yellow one is what I took off
this is the pump I installed

 

[ahicks]

So we have learned it's not a bilge pump! That's a step in the right direction. Do we know for sure there isn't a big chunk of crud in the intake (like a wasp nest or gob of sea weed for instance?

Judging by location, not real sure how well it's going to work when underway. The intake for that pump is in a pretty turbulent area.

 

[GA_Boater]

How much water is covering the pump when the boat is not moving? And where is the inlet to the pod?

 

[usmeagle]

It depends on how rough the water is actually but it goes in and out of the water depending on the waves. I looked at some newer boats and this is how the new pumps are mounted

 

[GA_Boater]

Look how high the pod is compared to the logs. I think you are sucking air, not water.

 

[ahicks]

I doubt that this pump was professionally installed. They would know that the engine pod on a 'toon comes up nearly out of the water at speed. That said, it SHOULD work at the low speeds many 'toons are run at, or when sitting still. If that's not the case, and assuming the pump motor is running, there's an obstruction somewhere. It's as simple as that. It's pretty easy for these pumps to suck up something that's floating by, and wasp nests are not unusual.

Could be something further up the line too. Like a line that's been pinched closed or cut by a trailer when moving the boat?

Bottom line, it's a really simple system. Whatever is wrong with it should be easily taken care of. -Al

 

[Scott Danforth]

whether its an aerator pump or a bilge pump. they are centrifugal pumps and do not "suck" water up a hose. they simply move water. the inlets must be flooded to prime.

in a boat, the aerator pump is below the water line, with the inlet as a thru-hull - flooded inlet
In a boat, the bilge pump is located in the lowest portion of the bilge to provide a flooded inlet.

all it takes to stop flow is a bit of debris to jamb up the impeller.

 

[usmeagle]

Thanks folks for the replies, gonna check for any obstructions first and go from there.