I find that since there is a lift of a few feet to the discharge level the integral switch causes the pump to spend its time (and my electrical energy) pumping the same litre or so of water up the discharge hose, waiting for it to trickle back, repumping it again, and so on. Inserting a backflow preventer slows the process somewhat but not entirely. Other than plumbing the discharge into the galley drain so the outflow is minimized I am not sure how to stop the constant recycling. The integral switch doesn’t seem to have any option for adjustment and I am don’t see how a separate switch would be any different unless it was placed higher than the pump. My boat (34+) has a small collection area – maybe a litre of water in the bilge. The only source of outside water is rain down the mast, so this is a periodic problem. Any solutions or suggestions?
From: CnC-List [mailto:cnc-list-boun...@cnc-list.com] On Behalf Of Jake Brodersen via CnC-List Sent: Sunday, March 22, 2015 6:27 PM To: sam.c.sal...@gmail.com; cnc-list@cnc-list.com Subject: Re: Stus-List 37+ Bilge pump Sam, The integral switches are “interesting”. Most of them spin the pump impeller at regular intervals. If they encounter resistance, they continue to run the pump until less resistance is encountered. There is nothing wrong with this approach, unless you can hear the pump from your bunk. I prefer pumps to be actuated by a switch than senses a need for the pump to run. Jake Jake Brodersen “Midnight Mistress” C&C 35 Mk-III Hampton VA From: sam.c.sal...@gmail.com [mailto:sam.c.sal...@gmail.com] Sent: Sunday, March 22, 2015 7:11 PM To: cnc-list@cnc-list.com Subject: Re: Stus-List 37+ Bilge pump What about those solid state switches that are integral with the pump. Anyone have any experience with these? I've got a Whale pump like this, but haven't got around to installing it yet. sam :-) C&C 26 Liquorice Ghost Lake Alberta From: Jake Brodersen via CnC-List Sent: Sunday, March 22, 2015 3:51 PM To: 'Josh Muckley'; cnc-list@cnc-list.com Reply To: Jake Brodersen Subject: Re: Stus-List 37+ Bilge pump Josh, The wiring is certainly suspect at this point in the boat’s age. I prefer to mount the pump low in the bilge because most of them push water better than pulling it uphill. Putting it another way, they blow better than they suck… You’re still going to have the bilge switch in the bilge, why not locate them together? Mine are side-by-side, which makes for shorter wiring runs. Jake Jake Brodersen “Midnight Mistress” C&C 35 Mk-III Hampton VA From: CnC-List [mailto:cnc-list-boun...@cnc-list.com] On Behalf Of Josh Muckley via CnC-List Sent: Sunday, March 22, 2015 5:31 PM To: C&C List Subject: Stus-List 37+ Bildge pump The bildge pump seems to have stopped working, again! I suspect that it has to do with some of the older wiring becoming corroded and causing a higher resistance. I had this happen before. I'm planning on replacing the Rule 500 with a Whale Gulper 320. I recognize that the capacity is probably on the low side but compared to zero, 320 is a lot and it beats a bucket. The gusher is a single diaphragm pump, can pass debris and has a rated suction lift of 10'. So this means I can mount the pump above the water and have the suction hose run into the deepest and most confined space of the bildge. Hopefully getting the pump out of the water will help prevent corrosion. Anybody have any thoughts or personal learnings? Josh Muckley S/V Sea Hawk 1989 C&C 37+ Solomons, MD
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