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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

Bilge Pump

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lcogge01
1st Mate

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USA
30 Posts

Initially Posted - 10/02/2006 : 08:56:37

I've been reading through the postings and I've seen several threads on adding an electric/automatic bilge pump for added safety. For those of you who have installed this, I'm curious if you added this in addition to the manual pump or replaced the manual pump with an electric pump.

Thanks!

Lon
Zermatt 2000 250 WK
Chandler's Landing - Rockwall, TX

Edited by - on

Dkn420
Captain

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USA
298 Posts

Response Posted - 10/02/2006 : 09:58:28

Keep the manual bilge pump so you have a back-up in case something electrical fails...Dan #727

Edited by - on

Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 10/02/2006 : 18:14:52

Same a Dan, I added the electric and kept the manual.

Edited by - on

SEAN
Admiral

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USA
772 Posts

Response Posted - 10/02/2006 : 19:50:24

me too ,
I hooked up the electric bilge to the manual line ,with a check valve
I dont know if thats right ,
T `ing into one of the sink drains is probably better .that way you can use both at the same time.

Edited by - on

Dkn420
Captain

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USA
298 Posts

Response Posted - 10/02/2006 : 19:54:10

I ran my electric into the galley sink drain and left the original in place, I would hate to think of having to use both at the same time...but it could happen...there are a few posts on bilge configurations and they all have good information so you can find a solution that works for you...Dan #727

Edited by - on

lcogge01
1st Mate

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USA
30 Posts

Response Posted - 10/03/2006 : 09:25:32

Thanks All!

Always great information!!!

Lon

#446

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CaptRon400
1st Mate

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USA
90 Posts

Response Posted - 10/26/2006 : 10:58:05

I'm starting this project (electric bilge pump) now too. It looks fairly easy to do - "T" the 3/4 inch hose to the galley drain (with a high loop), running the wires and installing the 3 way switch, etc. with one possible exception. Just about every marine float switch made is too big (long) to squeeze in between the keel boats. They should not be installed at a steep angle either.

I was thinking of attaching a float (closed cell foam?) at the end of the switch paddle so I can mount the body higher up horizontally or or getting one of the smaller vertical float / sensor type switches which will take up a lot less room. I am planning on using adhesive to fasten the Rule basket to the bottom of the bilge depression (as low as possible). The switch should be down there too. Mounting it 3 or 4 inches higher will partially defeat the purpose of having the pump.

Has anyone tried the vertical / sensor float idea and can you recommend a manufacturer or store that builds or sells it. The pump is a small Rule 500 gph that draws 2.1 amps. Most smaller vertical float switches can't do 3 amps.

Thanks

Edited by - on

Dkn420
Captain

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USA
298 Posts

Response Posted - 10/26/2006 : 16:47:05

I used the Rule 1100 which has doesn't require an external float switch...mine works fine...have you considered moving up in volume to overcome the float issue? Dan #727

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Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 10/26/2006 : 16:58:31

The Coast Guard, while not required, does recommend a manual de-watering device and a backup (hand pump portable etc). If you spring a leak and lose battery power you will want to have that manual on board.

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Turk
Admiral

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USA
736 Posts

Response Posted - 10/26/2006 : 17:35:19

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Dkn420
 I used the Rule 1100 which has doesn't require an external float switch...mine works fine...have you considered moving up in volume to overcome the float issue? Dan #727
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Is the rule you are using the 1100 automatic? It is 4 inches high. Does it fit OK in a C250 bilge? Rule makes several 1100 models many smaller than the automatic. I just want to make sure the larger one will fit. I like the idea of going to a larger output. Did you ever see a thru hull let go?

Edited by - on

Dkn420
Captain

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USA
298 Posts

Response Posted - 10/26/2006 : 19:38:35

I purchased the Rule 1100 Automatic and it fits fine...I don't have a photo to post but there are some photos in previous discussions of the automatic bilge pump. I have never seen a thru-hull let go. I filled the bilge with water after the installation, with the pump on automatic, and it worked fine. Dan #727

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Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 10/30/2006 : 18:58:12

Here's an Rule 1100 with a built in float switch. Its hooked up on a separate system from the hand pump. So I have two completely separate systems. I figured the electric pump will be for emergency's, so if an emergency arises I want a large pump with plenty of flow (the bigger the better). I also have portable hand pump I carry on board to pump out the dingy with.

Edited by - Tom Potter on 10/30/2006 18:59:53

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 11/02/2006 : 20:49:51

Tom, looks like a great fit. What does your pump connect to? Do you have a photo of that? Thanks. Randy

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Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 11/04/2006 : 08:58:42

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Nautiduck
 Tom, looks like a great fit. What does your pump connect to? Do you have a photo of that? Thanks. Randy
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Randy,
I on the plumbing side, I ran a separate hose to the stern and put in a new thru hull. I ran the hose next to the existing hand pump hose. Here's a few pictures.

This was taken looking in the wet locker.(the white hose is the one I installed)

This one is looking in the aft berth on the Port side.

And, here's the thru hull I installed, next to the existing one.

This is the only picture I have showing the pump switch. I installed the switch right in front of the Propane switch, you can barely see it beside the fan. Ran the power wire straight off the battery (with an in line fuse) to the switch. From the switch down and under the sink to the pump.

Edited by - Tom Potter on 04/28/2008 18:51:27

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 11/04/2006 : 19:23:50

Tom, great job. Thanks. I plan to do the same thing and it helps to see it. Now another question. What is the electric device shown in the photo of the port aft berth area just above the two hoses? Also, why have a switch for the Rule pump? When would you ever switch it off? Randy

Edited by - Nautiduck on 11/04/2006 19:26:23

Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 11/04/2006 : 19:57:18

Randy,
The small electric devise mounted on the aft bulkhead is a charge controller for my solar panels.

I have the pump wired to a Rule 3 way switch, the switch is designed for the automatic bilge pump, it comes with a built in fuse as well. You can select "auto" and it allows the pump to work automatically with the pump float or select "manual" and it bypasses the float on the pump. Also has a red light that comes on whenever the pump is on.

Edited by - Tom Potter on 04/28/2008 19:15:54

willy
Captain

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USA
422 Posts

Response Posted - 11/04/2006 : 23:39:12

I also left my manual bilge in place. I ran the hose from my electric bilge to the sink drain as I never use it as a sink but this is IMPORTANT...I used the best quality bilge hose I could get...non of the white stuff, and...I put a one way valve near the sink drain thru hull. Remember, the sink drain is way above the water line, the bilge is not.
Also I hooked up a manual switch for the pump right to one of the blank switches on my fuseboard as the only time I get water in the bilge is right after launch. Because I leave my boat in for the season, I fill the ballast every year from the hose at my slip.It keeps the critters from growing and making a stink in there over the coarse of the summer. When I do, I have a tendency to overfill her and she leaks through some hairline cracks around the water release valve until the level is correct.

Edited by - on

Ben - FL
Admiral

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880 Posts

Response Posted - 11/06/2006 : 02:20:09

Hey Tom,
did Knotty Cat come with the Teak fiddles around the galley? I've been wanting to replace my smoked plexiglass ones.

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Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 11/06/2006 : 17:47:55

Hi Ben,
No, she came with the smoked fiddles like yours. My oldest son and I made and installed the teak fiddles last year. The galley area was easy, the upper shelf was a the hardest with its rounded ends.

Edited by - on

dblitz
Navigator

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240 Posts

Response Posted - 11/13/2006 : 19:58:33

Bought my '86 Catalina last December and one of the first things I wanted to do was add an electric bilge pump, just in case. So I went over to Samalot Marine in Haverstraw, NY and asked about all the parts to set the system up. The man at the counter asks, "How old is your boat?" Which gets the appropriate response from me and he asks me why do I want to put an electric bilge pump in a 20 year old boat, which obviously hasn't needed an electric pump in those 20 years. That was a fantastic question, why did I? Since I couldn't think of an answer, I didn't install the pump.

Edited by - on

georgiaboater
1st Mate

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USA
72 Posts

Response Posted - 12/02/2006 : 23:11:25

Thanks to all of you for your follow on responses regarding the manual and electric bilge pumps. I had kicked around the idea of "tying into" the existing manual hose or running dual lines out the stern for both....and see that either would work quite well...especially with the great pictures several of you posted.

Thanks again.

Edited by - on

Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 12/03/2006 : 08:42:07

Marshall, where do you keep your boat?

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CaptRon400
1st Mate

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USA
90 Posts

Response Posted - 12/25/2006 : 15:28:00

Not sure if this was mentioned, but using the same hose for both the manual and electric bilge pumps could present another problem. The manual pump is a suction pump that pulls water, not pushes it. The addition of a 2nd pump (electric) could break this suction and you'll wind up pulling air instead. And both pumps will not work at the same time either. The manual version will only be accelerating the output of the electric.

Better to run a separate hose, even if only to the galley drain (which is what I did). Think about using a check valve too.

Edited by - on

StSimon
Captain

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USA
298 Posts

Response Posted - 12/28/2006 : 20:13:17

I have read before on this forum that there is no "ideal" location for an automatic bilge pump. The obvious choice appears to be in the keel trunk area but as I recall, not all bilge water will run into this area without drilling some weep holes joining different areas to this one.

Any thoughts on this concept?

Thanks,

Andy, '84 SK SR

Edited by - on

CaptRon400
1st Mate

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USA
90 Posts

Response Posted - 12/30/2006 : 13:02:17

The pump(s) HAVE to be at the bottom of the keel stub (on the wing keel boat, not sure about the water ballast - never saw one). This is the "official" bilge. If any compartments formed by the stringers do not drain into this space you must drill the weep holes to make it do so. Catalina was supposed to have done it at the factory, but they occasionally miss one.

By the way, I used a Rule automatic pump with a small footprint to squeeze down in there between the keel bolts. It does not have a built-in float switch - it turns on once every 10 seconds for a microsecond to test for water pressure. Finding none, it immediately turns itself off. The battery draw is minimal. It works as advertised so far. I plumbed it through the sink drain with both a high loop and low mounted check valve. The valve stops the pump from cycling on and off when water flows back down there - a possible problem with smaller bilge areas.

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barleyrooty
1st Mate

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64 Posts

Response Posted - 05/04/2007 : 13:45:59

Anyone do this on a WB? Is there a difference? If so where does it go? Any advice appreciated.

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