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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Electric Bilge Pump Install

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sailingchefs
1st Mate

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USA
28 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/09/2010 : 21:30:31

So I pored over the forum's bilge pump search entries for a while, followed some excellent links;http://www.yachtsurvey.com/bilge_pumps.htm,rule.com, the thread on "Proper Height of a Thru-Hull", and another thread that seemed pointed toward water-ballasted boats.
I decided to go with the Rule 2000, with it's own thru-hull, in addition to my soon to be rebuilt manual pump.This should give me, all things considered, about 1700-1800 real gallons per hour, plus a manual piston pump.
Here are some of my concerns, in no particular order:

-Suppose I wanted to be even more OCD, and install a smaller Rule 500 Fully Auto. (that I already have a couple of) in a slightly lower position in the bilge as the yachtsurvey.com page suggests. Does that necessitate yet another thru-hull, or some ingenious combination of Y's and anti-backflow devices? It does seem less of an issue than with tapping into the manual pump's hose, since the smaller, lower one would also be running and largely irrelevant if the 2000 needs to kick in. Sonnet II will be on a mooring for the summer, and although I usually get out once or twice a week, I have no good way to recharge the batteries without running the motor. (Only a tiny cheap solar panel, and no new one in the budget.) I like the idea of the tiny low-draw pump taking care of small amounts of rain water while I'm not around without killing the batteries. As everyone says, its likely to stay dry and never be an issue anyhow. Just a bit of mental comfort and extra redundency for two sailors who took turns working a 3ft. man. piston pump for 2 1/2 hours non-stop, literally for our lives,one evening last fall.

-One of the tech guys I spoke to at Catalina direct today explained to me that the anti-siphon loop was the point in the new pump's discharge hose that the water would drain back into the bilge from when the pump shut off, possibly turning it back on. I had thought to put said loop just forward of and higher than the new thru-hull, but that leaves the maximum length of hose to drain back into the bilge. See Joe Wergers' diagram in the "Proper Placement" thread. Tech guy suggested I put the loop as far forward, close to the pump, as possible. I know all the different years and models have different bilge layouts, but does any one have a strong position on the best route for the new discharge hose and placement of the loop considering this back flow issue? Maybe it's high up just forward of the manual pump in the laz.?

-And about this vent in the loop; what is it called, and who has them?
Why do they get blocked, as they apparently do?

-The DPO seems to have added 3-4 ft. of smaller diameter clear vinyl hose, through a reducer, to the end of the manual pump's pick-up hose. It does a loop back aft so the cut end rests on the floor of the bilge. Could this have been intended to prevent back flow from the manual pump? Doesn't seem like it would.
The larger, original black hose lays flat on the floor of the bilge, but from my reading, it seems it at least needs a strainer installed on the end. Agreed?

-Every one refers to the manual pump's thru-hull as being 6 inches above the waterline. As it happens, the center of my thru-hull is 3 1/2 inches above the waterline, and mine looks like all the others.
Since the top of the keel/ bottom of the bilge is not quite 2 ft. below the thru-hull, I'm thinking putting the new hole a few inches higher on the transom wouldn't be so bad. It sounded like it was placed lower not just for less static head, but to minimize splash/staining on the hull. Since this pump should never turn on anyway, not an issue right?

-About the wiring, I'll probably go with the Rule 3-way switch; wire it directly to the panel with no breaker, and mount the connections in the bilge as high as possible with shrink connectors and a dab of dielectric grease.

-Since the current motor is a pull start with a generator, I'm looking at going with 2 of the largest marine deep-cycle batteries that will fit in the battery locker. I have yet to measure this up. Anyone care to chime in on their favorites or what the max. size that will fit is? (Or just point me to the thread, I haven't gotten that far yet.)

It's late and I'm getting punchy. Time to post and retire.
Thanks, Glenn

S/V Sonnet II
'84 C-25 #4213
SR FK Trad.
Little Harbor NH

Edited by - on

jerlim
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1484 Posts

Response Posted - 04/10/2010 : 13:32:37

w/ respect to thru hulls for aux pumps...our PO installed a pump, and ran the line up through the dumpster, and into the cockpit, just aft of the manual pump...the water from the electric pump ultimately drains out the scuppers...seems kinda slick to me...as long as the scuppers are kept clear!

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Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 04/10/2010 : 16:17:25

Here is a good article with a diagram of a loop. David Pascoe is a good source of boat information IMHO.

[url="http://www.yachtsurvey.com/bilge_pumps.htm"]Bilge Pumps[/url]

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jerlim
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1484 Posts

Response Posted - 04/10/2010 : 17:22:59

what a GREAT article...thanks for sharing ! !

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redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3476 Posts

Response Posted - 04/12/2010 : 05:28:58

IMHO and this is what I've done on another open power boat that gets water in when it rains.

http://www.hodgesmarine.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=RUL20RS&click=18

Hard wire this in and it is always ready, no one can accidentally turn it off. It will also not accidentally turn on and stay on. It will pull water down as low as anything as I can find. Solar power the batteries to recharge. The draw from this is minimal. Run your discharge hose on the stern and high, just below the rail. Put a loop as close to the pump as you can just inside the dumpster and put the pump in the back of the bilge.

Then add a RUL-RM2000.

http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/show_product.do?pid=2377&familyName=Rule-Mate+Fully+Automated+Bilge+Pumps

Wire the rule 2000 in with manual switch only, so you can turn it on if you need it and run a line aft to the stern as high as you can. Don't put a loop in.

This pump will only come on if you turn it on and only if water is up about 2 inches. Pop the bilge pump off occasionally and clean the strainer and wash your stern.

This is what I'm putting in when I get a round tuit.

Again.. IMHO.

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.