Bilge Pump Question

[tedder]

After a weekend in heavy rain with a manual pump and making the journey down to the dock to turn on the bilge every hour or so I decided it was time to upgrade.<br /><br />I purchased an automatic 1000gpm unit to replace the manual 500gpm bilge currently in the boat (I’m keeping the 500gpm as a spare). The switch/float is a separate component from the pump.<br /><br />Here is my question. Does the float need to be mounted horizontally or can I mount it on a vertical surface? The instructions don’t say.<br /><br />I am asking because the instructions say to mount the float a little higher than the base of the pump and I cannot accomplish this unless I mount the float to the same surface as the pump.<br /><br />This is the pump<br /> http://www.iboats.com/mall/index.cg...y_id=217444&list_time=1150224487&view_id=2595 <br /><br />Tthe switch looks like this one<br /> http://www.iboats.com/mall/index.cg...=628989605&**********=919537301&view_id=39571 <br /><br /><br />I actually have another question. I find that occationally I have water entering the boat through the bilge outlet. Is this normal and/or can I do something to stop this from happening, will a loop in the bilge outlet pipe accomplish this?<br /><br />Thanks

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Bilge Pump Question

That type switch needs to be mounted horizontally in the bottom on the bilge.<br />I have heard of people putting a loop in the bilge hose to solve that problem.<br />My hose was long enough to tie up higher than the drain hole in the side of the hull..never gives me a problem.

 

[npd4432]

Re: Bilge Pump Question

You can also get a one way valve for the bilge hose.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Bilge Pump Question

If the hose is full of water the loop will not stop it from sipioning water unless you put a vacuum break at the top of the loop. I think a better way is to raise the outflow far above the water line. <br /><br />Also I would set your 500 gpm pump up with the float switch. Install the 1000 GPM on a manual switch. 500 GPM is plenty for rain or slow leaks.<br />Make sure you float switch is installed where nothing can get under it and hold it up. This will drain your battery and burn up some bilge pumps.

 

[tedder]

Re: Bilge Pump Question

I tested the switch in a vertical position last night in bucket of water and yes it needs to be mounted horizontally, guess I should have done this before asking such a stupid question. Looks like I’ll need to fabricate something or silicone the switch into the bilge area (cant or don’t want to screw into the bottom of boat). I am assuming silicone will hold the switch/float in place? <br /><br />The one-way valve sounds like a good idea as does the idea of having both pumps set up and ready to use if needed. And as suggested, I will use the 500Gpm pump as the primary with the float. <br /><br />Question, will a “Y” connection on the existing bilge hose work for setting up both pumps or do I need to add another entire bilge hose and outlet in the hull? <br /><br />Thanks guys!