Nandy
Commander
- Joined
- Apr 10, 2004
- Messages
- 2,145
Re: where to locate bilge pump?
I have a few diagrams for you. Hopefully they will help you a bit. First thing though..
I will advise to add a floating switch to your bilge so you have the option of it starting by itself in case your hull is making water and you are out of the boat having fun.
If you are installing the thru hull fittings to drain the water out you probably want to put some sealant around the outside fitting to keep splashing water out. It is not like you can get swamped that way but always try to make your hull as sealed as possible. Also you can loop the hose and this will likely prevent the water from a wave or a splash to come in trhu the hose. Also, install the fitting in the side where you can see the water coming out. IN most boats that will be in the starboard (right) side, so you can just look over and see it working. If you install a switch you can leave the pump in AUTO (the pump will start working with the use of a float switch), OFF (where the pump will never work nor drain your battery) or MANUALl (where the pump is on regardless of water presence). If you must install the hull thru fitting in a place you cant see the water coming out you can install a lighted switch so it will tell you if the pump is working. If your switch is not lighted you can install a separate light (led works for me). It is important to know if the pump is working in case your hull is making water you can notice the pump being on and make your way to port if needed. I have always tinkered with the idea of a buzzer that will chime until I press a silence button for those dreaded ramp phrase "what is all this water doing here, is the plug in??
".
Whatever location you choose to install your pump try to make it a location where all or most of the water will tend to drain to. This location is generally the most aft (toward the stern(rear) of the boat) and center part of the boat. Sometimes like in your case there is no access to that location. You can make your own access.
site one, image 1 give you an idea where the pump and float switch needs to be and how to run the hose.
http://seagrant.uaf.edu/bookstore/boatkeeper/bilge-pumps.pdf
Site 2 has a photo that shows the "loop" I told you about to keep water from coming in thru the hose.
http://www.yachtsurvey.com/bilgepmp.jpg
Site 3 has a lot of info. However, I will mainly point out the first wiring as the wiring I have in mine. In that wiring the light will be on when the pump is on regardless of what is turning the pump on. In my boat the light comes on but it has a different light for auto or manual.
http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/bilgePump.html
Hope this help.
I have a few diagrams for you. Hopefully they will help you a bit. First thing though..
I will advise to add a floating switch to your bilge so you have the option of it starting by itself in case your hull is making water and you are out of the boat having fun.
If you are installing the thru hull fittings to drain the water out you probably want to put some sealant around the outside fitting to keep splashing water out. It is not like you can get swamped that way but always try to make your hull as sealed as possible. Also you can loop the hose and this will likely prevent the water from a wave or a splash to come in trhu the hose. Also, install the fitting in the side where you can see the water coming out. IN most boats that will be in the starboard (right) side, so you can just look over and see it working. If you install a switch you can leave the pump in AUTO (the pump will start working with the use of a float switch), OFF (where the pump will never work nor drain your battery) or MANUALl (where the pump is on regardless of water presence). If you must install the hull thru fitting in a place you cant see the water coming out you can install a lighted switch so it will tell you if the pump is working. If your switch is not lighted you can install a separate light (led works for me). It is important to know if the pump is working in case your hull is making water you can notice the pump being on and make your way to port if needed. I have always tinkered with the idea of a buzzer that will chime until I press a silence button for those dreaded ramp phrase "what is all this water doing here, is the plug in??
". Whatever location you choose to install your pump try to make it a location where all or most of the water will tend to drain to. This location is generally the most aft (toward the stern(rear) of the boat) and center part of the boat. Sometimes like in your case there is no access to that location. You can make your own access.
site one, image 1 give you an idea where the pump and float switch needs to be and how to run the hose.
http://seagrant.uaf.edu/bookstore/boatkeeper/bilge-pumps.pdf
Site 2 has a photo that shows the "loop" I told you about to keep water from coming in thru the hose.
http://www.yachtsurvey.com/bilgepmp.jpg
Site 3 has a lot of info. However, I will mainly point out the first wiring as the wiring I have in mine. In that wiring the light will be on when the pump is on regardless of what is turning the pump on. In my boat the light comes on but it has a different light for auto or manual.
http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/bilgePump.html
Hope this help.
