bilge pumps ???

RIVA · 23 July 2007, 09:13

Which one do people think is the best? Not interested in the price really lets say sub £250

Have tried all the usual suspects is there one I don’t know of that might last a year!

If you have any ideas let me know: thumbs:

Richard B · 23 July 2007, 10:46

My Rule pump lasted a rather impressive three years, but then I'm really careful about not getting grit and stones on the deck. It's been superseeded by a cut-off orange squash bottle which I expect will have a very long service life!

Andy Moore · 23 July 2007, 10:52

Rule.

BogMonster · 23 July 2007, 11:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by RIVA

Which one do people think is the best? Not interested in the price really lets say sub £250

Have tried all the usual suspects is there one I don’t know of that might last a year!

If you have any ideas let me know: thumbs:

I've had my boat for well over a year and no problems with mine - it was in the boat when I got it - and when the snow covering the boat thaws out I will be able to tell you what it is

Nos4r2 · 23 July 2007, 15:31

I've had a Rule that was well over 10 years old, but to be honest I think I prefer the design of the cheapy ebay one. The impeller is exposed inside the base and has quite a bit of clearance round it-more than the hole sizes for water to get in. They are a brushless motor apparently and work quite well too.

codprawn · 23 July 2007, 15:58

Isn't it usually the float switches that pack up first?

Richard B · 23 July 2007, 21:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

Isn't it usually the float switches that pack up first?

I've had one Rule pump pack up due to grit caught in the impeller. The second one has packed up after 3+ years and I don't know exactly why, but I do know that the float switch was sticking more and more, so that could be the reason. I'll replace both the float switch and pump this time.

Searider · 24 July 2007, 10:00

Manually switched Rule coupled with a Water Witch solid state "float" switch.

Had one in the scorpion for nearly 4 years with no problems. Had one in the Searider for 4 or 5 years before that again with no problems.

jyasaki · 24 July 2007, 14:19

The Gold Series Rule pumps have a 5 year warranty now. That'll probably be the next one I buy (which may be soon, by the looks of things.)

The Water Witch solid state switch seems to work pretty well, but I still have height adjustment issues: Can't get the thing to shut off in normal conditions. Works fine on the trailer, though.

jky

JABS · 27 July 2007, 11:03

Rule Automatic! Brilliant concept, no float switch to fail and as far as I have found, it pumps anything! If it does fail, I shall certainly replace it with another.

Don't leave it on when the boat is unattended, it pulses every few minutes. Mine was on for two weeks and the battery was OK, but wouldn't want to risk it!

codprawn · 27 July 2007, 13:03

Mine is on permanently - the pulse in and out uses negligible current even over a very long time. The problem is the sheer amount of rain we get. My battery lasts about 2 or 3 months before it needs a recharge in very wet weather. Obviously pumping up to 1 ton of water per day(seriously) is bound to drain the biggest battery. And before anyone advises a solar panel when it's raqining they are not much use!!!

Tim M · 27 July 2007, 18:32

I have just (about half an hour ago) fitted Rule number 3 to Evolution. That's pretty rubbish for 6 months service! I've been away for the last week, and was woken by a call from the marina this morning to tell me they had put their pump on my boat because it was "sinking". Got down there sharpish to discover that the deck was awash with rain water. The transom was actually verging on going below the waterline, and judging by the amount of seaweed and packet of chips which was on board it must have been sloshing over the back a bit. I went and bought a Rule automatic which set me back £75

as I have totally lost faith in float switches. The auto seems pretty good as there are less big moving bits to break. I like the way it constantly "checks" for water unlike the float switch was was always getting stuck. Hopefully when I have a look tomorrow the boat will be totally dry. It's just started raining again so this should be a good test! Will be interesting to see how long this one lasts though.....

Tim M · 28 July 2007, 17:51

An updage:

Number 3 lasted all of about 20 hours. Went down to the boat today and noticed the pump wasn't working. On closer inspection the white body part had come away from the red bit. This is exactly what's happened to all of the others, but after 1 day?!?!?!?! There was a little bit of petrol in the bilge-well which I can only gather affected the plastic in some way causing it to break down. Is this likely? Or are they just made of crap plastic.

Anyway, took the pump back to the marine superstore where they changed it no questions asked. Just about to put number 4 on. Hoopefully this will last more than a day......

codprawn · 28 July 2007, 19:14

Strange - my first one lasted about 3 months - my fault as I removed the strainer to get better performance. It works so much better and draws less current but doh it's there for a good reason!!!

My 2nd one is working fine. I have spilt petrol in the bilge a few times but no problems.

Downhilldai · 28 July 2007, 21:45

A common physical failure of Rule pumps is the plastic going brittle after exposure to UV and the hose spiggot breaking off when you dismantle the pump to clean it.

JABS · 28 July 2007, 22:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

A common physical failure of Rule pumps is the plastic going brittle after exposure to UV and the hose spiggot breaking off when you dismantle the pump to clean it.

Exposure to UV not a problem in UK.....

Don't clean it!

So, the perfect pump!

Nos4r2 · 29 July 2007, 21:19

This really doesn't say much for Rule!

Might be worth grabbing one of these cheapies and trying it-at least there's no join on the main body to fail.

Gordon McMath · 29 July 2007, 22:21

Computerised Rule.Hands down.

Rogue Wave · 29 July 2007, 23:25

It depends on usage...........How many people are running leisure boats that see the water ten times a year or less. a solution that lasts for them for 3 years isn\t gonna last 3 months on a demo boat

I wouldn\t touch rools they are not reliable, if you want a pump that will last then you need to look at Something like a Johnsohn or a Sahara and get a big one. Avoid one with a built in Float switch or FET switch. couple it to a good auto manual switch blue sea systems and use a hydroswitch as your automatic switch

http://www.go2marine.com/product.do?no=112053F

RIVA · 30 July 2007, 08:12

over the past year i have used rule, atwood and saraha and a couple of others .

to date i think sahara are about the best , but i have just sene and used a new chinese one that unfortunatly has no markes on it

but at this moment out pumps all the others . but ill let you know in a couple of weeks if its still alive