How often do you run your bilge pump/ How often should it kick in?

[bpmcl00]

On my last I/O i never had to use my bilge pump but maybe twice when i had multiple people hanging off the back loweering the rub rail into the water..

This new one im looking at will kick on about every 20 mins if me and a friend are sitting on the back...

Im not sure how normal this is, but i know its not uncommon for I/O's to have to run their bilges every here and there....


My question is how much is too much.... How often in too often?


Thanks ahead

 

[This_lil_fishy]

Re: How often do you run your bilge pump/ How often should it kick in?

Um never, the inside of my hull is bone dry, even today (I checked) after some pretty rough waters. We had high winds comming off the lake today, and dunked the bow twice a but just a bit. :redface:

Ian

 

[Summer Fun]

Re: How often do you run your bilge pump/ How often should it kick in?

its not uncommon for I/O's to have to run their bilges every here and there....

NEVER !!! only if it rains. You have a leak some wheres.

 

[arks]

Re: How often do you run your bilge pump/ How often should it kick in?

Yeah, me too- never.
My boat is slipped and I cycle them (I have 2) every time I visit.
Twice every year I actually put water in the bilge just to confirm operation because I've heard stories of pumps that SOUND like they're working, but in reality they don't pump any water. That could make for a very bad day.

For you guys with dry bilges- get 'em wet and test the pump!

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: How often do you run your bilge pump/ How often should it kick in?

My question is how much is too much.... How often in too often?

Well I don't know about running it too much unless you just leave it on continuously when it's not necessary. I flip mine on every so often just to see, if nothing I just turn it off. At least 2-4 times a trip or just to check for the heck of it, Makes for good practice for me. In my opinion checking it often isn't being paranoid, its just making sure. You just never know, there is no time limit for something going wrong, it just happens, hose breaking etc..

 

[high'n'dry]

Re: How often do you run your bilge pump/ How often should it kick in?

Our Boston Whaler is self bailing. The very small bilge area is sealed below deck with a bilge pump, the live well pump and fuel tank fittings. It may come on once in a while, usually never. If I forget to put the plug in it will come on. Usually when I do that I just pull the circuit breaker so it does not burn out. The boat does fine with no plug in it, the plug is sorta optional.

 

[nitsuj]

Re: How often do you run your bilge pump/ How often should it kick in?

My blower and pump are one unit, so I run it at least a few times and outing when I start the motor. The only time it ever had water to pump out if if I've hosed out the interior of my boat. I must not have any leaks.

 

[redone4x4]

Re: How often do you run your bilge pump/ How often should it kick in?

i always have a little bit of water in the bilge, but we go swimming alot and kids get on the boat with soaking life jackets because they never take them off. so I expect it. and, whenever we deflate our tube we are bound to get more water onboard also.

 

[Summer Fun]

Re: How often do you run your bilge pump/ How often should it kick in?

My blower and pump are one unit,

Thats not right.

 

[nitsuj]

Re: How often do you run your bilge pump/ How often should it kick in?

Thats not right.

Why not? The guys who built the boat must have thought it is. ;-)

 

[redone4x4]

Re: How often do you run your bilge pump/ How often should it kick in?

Why not? The guys who built the boat must have thought it is. ;-)

has to be just wired to the same switch. i would seperate it so they each have their own switch, but its up to you.

 

[nitsuj]

Re: How often do you run your bilge pump/ How often should it kick in?

I appreciate the advice. But they are on the same switch because they have to be. My blower and pump are one unit. If/When it fails, I'll have 2 separate units since they no longer make the all in one pump/blower deal. I will indeed wire them to separate switches.

 

[redone4x4]

Re: How often do you run your bilge pump/ How often should it kick in?

wow. learn something new every day. I have never seen a combo blower/pump before, but i do believe ya.

 

[nitsuj]

Re: How often do you run your bilge pump/ How often should it kick in?

If you want to see one, you'll need to buy a REALLY old boat. Like, 1967. ;-)

 

[windsors03cobra]

Re: How often do you run your bilge pump/ How often should it kick in?

If you want to see one, you'll need to buy a REALLY old boat. Like, 1967. ;-)

Wow, do you think it will make it another 42 years ?
Sure seems like they don't build some stuff like they use too.......

I run my bilge pump 2 or 3 times while using my boat as "bilge check" for water.
I watch the pee hole and have never had anything come out, this spring I put a bunch of water in the bilge and made sure it pumped. It works, its 32 years old and probably 300 GPH but it works.
Don't have any leaks on this old boat thankfully.
32 year old transom cap mounted squirrel cage blower working good here as well.

I watch my gauges and always check my bilge visually 5 minutes after launching once I am out on the lake and out of folks way. "Checks". :redface:
Darn old boat hasn't let me down a bit, been real happy with the way its performed this season. Sure hasn't let us down that's for sure.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: How often do you run your bilge pump/ How often should it kick in?

On one boat that's not self bailing, it might kick on when I first get up on a plane. Of course it it's been raining it will turn on when I get in. By design, it won't come on with just a little water in the bilge, so that the battery won't run down. Also it takes about an inch of swing on the float to trip it, for the same reason.
The other boat's cockpit is self-bailing but there is a bilge and rain water gets in there some, so if it's been heavy it will kick on when first starting out.
If you rely on your pump. I would replace it every 5 years or so even if it's working, esp. in salt water. And good idea to test it. I had one, the shaft broke so it sounded like it was on but the impeller wasn't turning. That can cost you your boat.
Someone described a pump that comes on every 2.5 minutes whether you need it or not. I am baffled by that notion.

 

[windsors03cobra]

Re: How often do you run your bilge pump/ How often should it kick in?

Someone described a pump that comes on every 2.5 minutes whether you need it or not. I am baffled by that notion.

They say the motor "checks" for a drag on the motor like if there was water in the pump and then the pump would run, sounds like a high tech piece of junk huh ?

 

[TJDave]

Re: How often do you run your bilge pump/ How often should it kick in?

Hardly ever. I turn it on each time out just to make sure it is working. When I pull the boat out of the water and pull the plug, about 3 tablespoons of water comes out. It is an old 1973 boat, and the blower and bilge have separate switches also.

 

[redone4x4]

Re: How often do you run your bilge pump/ How often should it kick in?

They say the motor "checks" for a drag on the motor like if there was water in the pump and then the pump would run, sounds like a high tech piece of junk huh ?

i got one, and for 60 bucks from iboats i got a 800 GPH that doesnt require a float switch anymore. the thing works great, you cant ever hear it kick on unless you are in the engine compartment with the engine shut off, and the drain on the battery overnight is not even noticeable.

 

[dingbat]

Re: How often do you run your bilge pump/ How often should it kick in?

Never. If my pumps come on I have a problem.