Have you ever had a bilge pump go out?

[BugsBunnyBoater]

I was wondering o many of us have had a float switch to stick or have a bilge pump to just go out?
This summer my float switch failed during a storm and I almost lost my boat in my slip. Great people at the marine saved my boat. Now I am in the process of redoing my bilge pump set up. Two 500 gph pumps with built in float switches set up at different spots.

 

[sublauxation]

Re: Have you ever had a bilge pump go out?

I'm assuming you saw the other post, I had the same problem as another guy with a Sea Sense switch failing. Was considering setting up two, didn't know if I should set both on float switches or just have one wired to a manual switch with the other on a float. Space is kinda tight down there.

 

[BugsBunnyBoater]

Re: Have you ever had a bilge pump go out?

Well my plan is to take the old pump out and float switch out. Next I will put two other 500 gph pumps with the built in float switches. One will be fused straight to the battery the other will be set up where I can manually turn it on. Plus be automatic.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Have you ever had a bilge pump go out?

not sure why it failed but I have had one go bad, I went with 2 also, a 500 main and a 1100 secondary.

The main is lower than the big one for rain water and such and the big one is wired to an alarm so if it goes off I know right away there is a problem.

Forgot the plug once and was running no wake for 10-15 minutes, got to my fishing spot and opened the rod locker to find swirling water, came REALLY close to sinking so the alarm was on before the next trip.

 

[rwidman]

Re: Have you ever had a bilge pump go out?

I was wondering o many of us have had a float switch to stick or have a bilge pump to just go out?
This summer my float switch failed during a storm and I almost lost my boat in my slip. Great people at the marine saved my boat. Now I am in the process of redoing my bilge pump set up. Two 500 gph pumps with built in float switches set up at different spots.

Yes, I have had one fail when the impeller broke and came off the motor shaft, but why would your boat nearly sink in a slip? Does it have a leak?

 

[sublauxation]

Re: Have you ever had a bilge pump go out?

First time I pulled my boat out at a steep ramp the float switch worked great.....as I went up the ramp and water ran back the pump clicked on, shot a stream that just missed the boat and truck next to me. Thankfully he thought it was funny too.

Any recommendations on a new brand float switch and pump. I like the idea of 2 floats and 2 pumps with one also wired to a manual switch and alarm. I haven't seen an 1100 pump but that's a great idea. Sinking would suck.

 

[bear_69cuda]

Re: Have you ever had a bilge pump go out?

I had mine go out this summer. Kept blowing the 5A breaker. I discovered corrosion between the auto style connector (deutsch) causing the fault. I hardwired with crimped butt connector/heat shrink, and installed a second back-up 1100 GPM Rule with it's own through hull exit. So I now have 2200 GPM capability... My auto pump does not have a mechanical float. I believe it senses conductivity when water touches the sensor.

 

[BugsBunnyBoater]

Re: Have you ever had a bilge pump go out?

Yes, I have had one fail when the impeller broke and came off the motor shaft, but why would your boat nearly sink in a slip? Does it have a leak?

Bad rain storm that day. It was actually part of a tropical storm that passed close to the area. It had rained most of the day so the bilge was full which pushed the self bailing deck drains under. The float switch stuck in the down position also.

 

[Hansolo99]

Re: Have you ever had a bilge pump go out?

Mine was automatic. Worked fine the first day died the second time out. Brand new boat.....

 

[Outsider]

Re: Have you ever had a bilge pump go out?

Next I will put two other 500 gph pumps with the built in float switches.

If you're gonna do that, put in the largest that will fit your current plumbing, and put in a second that has some guts (like 1500 or 2000). Rule-Mate has a 750 and 1500/2000 with built-in float switches ...

 

[NHGuy]

Re: Have you ever had a bilge pump go out?

I cover the boat when it rains, but I obsessively watch if it's a hard rain. The first year I had my boat (last year) I replaced the pump just in case...ran the pump twice. The first time it was cause the previous owner lied that the bellows was good. And the 2nd time was when I got the lesson about don't use lever type bilge drain plugs on the outside. I was pulling in to a sandy spot near home and my daughter innocently said, "Is there supposed to be water on the floor, dad?" Apparently the lever had released and the boat was filling. I nervously went for the sand, shut down the engine, flipped on the pump and put in plug number two. A crank style plug. I still have 2 more spares.
I don't recommend losing your plug, conjures up all sorts of negative thoughts.
So to answer, I'm a one pump guy. But I don't overnight in the water too much.

 

[arks]

Re: Have you ever had a bilge pump go out?

Modern bilge pumps should last a long time if the bilge is kept reasonably clean and they are exercised regularly.
I keep my 34 footer in a wet slip, usually year-round. While my bilges stay bone-dry (full covers and GFO shaft packings), I check both my pumps each and every time I visit by switching them 'on' manually from the dash and listening for the sound.
Twice a year I intentionally flood the bilges and do a de-watering test.
These pumps are just too important to assume they're working!

 

[rwidman]

Re: Have you ever had a bilge pump go out?

Bad rain storm that day. It was actually part of a tropical storm that passed close to the area. It had rained most of the day so the bilge was full which pushed the self bailing deck drains under. The float switch stuck in the down position also.

I would be looking to find a way to keep water out of the bilge. There are several reasons a pump can fail to pump water out. A dead battery is one. Backup pumps won't help here.

 

[BugsBunnyBoater]

Re: Have you ever had a bilge pump go out?

I would be looking to find a way to keep water out of the bilge. There are several reasons a pump can fail to pump water out. A dead battery is one. Backup pumps won't help here.

My bad float switch caused the pump to not start. plus we were having a tropical storm rain after rain bands. At my slip I use shore power to my charger.

 

[rwidman]

Re: Have you ever had a bilge pump go out?

My bad float switch caused the pump to not start. plus we were having a tropical storm rain after rain bands. At my slip I use shore power to my charger.

I'kk have to take your word for it, I wasn't there. Still, I would be worried and looking for a way to keep most of the rain out of the boat. A cover, perhaps?

If rain hits the deck there's no way for it to drain except into the bilge?

 

[sasto]

Re: Have you ever had a bilge pump go out?

I've had about every part on a boat break at one time or another. Almost broke a whole boat a couple times.

 

[DianneB]

Re: Have you ever had a bilge pump go out?

My new-to-me 44 year old boat had a seized pump when I bought it so I replaced it.

6 weeks later I got a panic email from a friend at the marina saying my boat had taken on water (heavy rain, old canvas). I found the wire to the float switch had corroded off (must have been contaminated when I soldered it).

It now has two bilge pumps, one on each battery bank, and a solar charger to keep the batteries up.

 

[BigB9000]

Re: Have you ever had a bilge pump go out?

My tube came loose once, and came unmounted from the transom.
It was then pumping water back into the boat. I had a pretty good laugh about that.

 

[QC]

Re: Have you ever had a bilge pump go out?

If rain hits the deck there's no way for it to drain except into the bilge?

There are lots of boats with "decks" that are below the waterline. How do you drain that? Most are trailer boats and probably should never be slipped, but . . .

 

[erikpn]

Re: Have you ever had a bilge pump go out?

Next I will put two other 500 gph pumps with the built in float switches.

If you're gonna do that, put in the largest that will fit your current plumbing, and put in a second that has some guts (like 1500 or 2000). Rule-Mate has a 750 and 1500/2000 with built-in float switches ...

A smaller one will have a smaller threshold to remove water, it can continue pumping water to a lower level. A bigger manual is then good for emergencies once you notice the small one going off.