Good Bilge Pump Float Switch?

[BlackSmoke]

Which inexpensive automatic bilge pump switches work well, and which one's should I avoid? I'd like to add one to my 18' bowrider.

 

[Spidybot]

Re: Good Bilge Pump Float Switch?

I think any well mantained switch will do fine.<br />Over the time there has been a lot of posts regarding this and pumps, and a search on these forums for BILGE PUMP returns 159 hits.<br /><br />Pump capacity, pump design, placement etc. are all issues to consider.

 

[martinwinte]

Re: Good Bilge Pump Float Switch?

One more thing. When you wire the pump up you can (and should) wire it so that it is hooked to the automatic switch AND also to a manual switch. That way if the automatic switch should fail you have a manual backup. Once I had a automatic switch fuse blow and the manual override saved me alot of hassle (long newbie story involving leaving the boat in the rain with the plug in and launching without draining).

 

[Spidybot]

Re: Good Bilge Pump Float Switch?

If you need a solution for docking, look for those that incorporates into the rope and pumps by the movement of the boat when pulling the rope. Not a high capacity but is pumps all the time and easily copes with rain etc.

 

[epresutti]

Re: Good Bilge Pump Float Switch?

Blacksmoke,<br /><br />I have an 18' as well, my preference after going through what others have said on this thread is the Attwood Guardian 500, automatic float switch. I don't know the current pricing, but I have had good luck with this pump (except I got a barnical shell caught in it once), it is 500gph.<br /><br />I kept my boat in the water for two years, this pump handled rainwater just fine, I also had the attwood automatic switch with manual override.<br /><br />Hope this helps.<br /><br />Safe boating to all.<br /><br />Cheers.<br /><br />emp.