lets talk bilge pumps ....

[coolbikeguy]

i was thinking of using 2 pumps ... 1 that uses a float for on and off ..... and a second wired to a manual on/off switch ..... am i thinking right on that ?? what are your suggestions ? thanks guys

 

[dozerII]

My boat is never moored for more than a couple hours so I just run one pump with a float switch and manual override. I think if I was moored over night I would go with two pumps just to be safe.

 

[alldodge]

i was thinking of using 2 pumps ... 1 that uses a float for on and off ..... and a second wired to a manual on/off switch ..... am i thinking right on that ?? what are your suggestions ? thanks guys

Opinion: Nothing wrong with two or more pumps, but if you have one good (well maintained) with sufficient size to handle all normal issues, you have enough pumps. Sure if you run into a stump and rip a hole in your hull another pump can be real useful, for a couple hours or so. Once the battery gets low your toast anyway

 

[Watermann]

It can never hurt to have a back up BP, my dad always told me when I was a kid to take 2 of everything you can when you go out in a boat.

 

[Alumarine]

I used to moor May to November and had 2 auto pumps and 2 batteries.
If you install a 2cnd pump also install a 2cnd discharge outlet.
I prefer mine on the starboard side so I can see if they're working.

 

[coolbikeguy]

thanks guys ....... how do you wire an auto( float) pump to have a manual over ride ?

 

[coolbikeguy]

and i just thought of something ..... i have a tsunami t500 so i have to buy a float switch for it or i may just order an automatic and wire the tsunami as a backup ??

 

[Watermann]

If your float switch is detached this is how I did mine. Run a direct inline fused power wire from the battery to the float switch power. Splice the power wire from the helms manual switch to the BP power wire and the wire that connects the float switch to the BP.

I set my BP up to be hot all the time on the float switch even if the battery isolator is in the off position it will still come on if the water in the bilge were to raise the float. If you moor the boat over night you can turn off all power in the boat but the float switched bilge will still come on if needed.

Oh and don't forget to use marine grade connectors in the bilge area like what Anchor makes and use heat shrink tube to seal it.

 

[Cloudrnnr]

So, this is perhaps a silly question, but it does apply to bilge pumps. How are y'all securing them to the bottom of the bilge area?

 

[laurentide]

I stuck mine there with 5200, slightly off level adjacent to the keel.

 

[alldodge]

Piece of 3/4 plywood (about 5x8 inch) glassed to the hull, epoxy painted. Pump and float screwed into it

 

[Watermann]

I built a bracket just for the pump that's riveted to the motor mount. Nothing is wired up yet in the pic, it was taken during the rebuild.

 

[jbcurt00]

Piece of 3/4 plywood (about 5x8 inch) glassed to the hull, epoxy painted. Pump and float screwed into it

^^^ Not a typical aluminum boat install

 

[Cloudrnnr]

I'm glad I asked. The 18' Holiday is in good enough shape to not need tearing into just yet, but needs a bilge pump to get her on the water. The PO just had a pump setting in the bilge area with alligator clips for a battery connection.. It sounds like 5200 may be the best solution for quick and limited access. If I decide to keep her and redo, I can work a better bracket (as well as an automatic float switch) at that time. BTW, very clean install, Watermann!

 

[laurentide]

I've had success using a heat gun when I need to "unstick" 5200. It's really tough but heat will soften it enough to remove whatever was bonded. Getting it off the surfaces is another matter :lol:

Apparently this is because 5200 is "thermoplastic," as opposed to epoxy products that are "thermoset." Epoxy is forever, so make sure you want it there if going the glass route.

 

[classiccat]

I
Apparently this is because 5200 is "thermoplastic," as opposed to epoxy products that are "thermoset." Epoxy is forever, so make sure you want it there if going the glass route.

Dang Chem! Thems sum big werds! :nerd: :lol:

 

[laurentide]

Dang Chem! Thems sum big werds! :nerd: :lol:

Google is my copilot!!

 

[bob johnson]

two or MORE Bilge pumps!!!!!!!!!!!, I have a TSUNAMI 1200, I picked up on clearance.. and will look for another for my big Holiday. since I never moor my boat, I use manual on-off switches independently for each BP....each with their own discharge hose!! I mount mine on a ss mesh sheet...so big things cant clog the pumps... one day a few years back I had leave sin the boat and I figured the trailering distance would make them all disappear!!..they mostly ended up down in the bilge where they totally choked off both my bilge pumps, and sure enough a noreaster rolled in and I came back in riding 6 footers and 10" of water in the boat!!!( it was a 5 mile run to the ramp).....Murphys law!!!


bob