Bilge Pumps .... ?

[Onboard]

Can anyone offer their recommendations as to the best electronic bilge pumps .... I've been through a sequence of Whale pumps and can't keep replacing them every couple of months ... I'm veering towards a non-submerged pump, with pick-up and seperate float switch - Any thoughts Guys ?

[mick]

I have one of these

[Peter_C]

I prefer a separate electronic float switch. The biggest benefit is they do not foul from debris.
Water Witch Bilge Switches

A plain old Rule 1100 gph pump works great too. Bigger is better and my inboard had two 1100 gph rules that would keep up with the plug being left out. Guess how I know? Now I have a 500 gph for my SIB.
Non-Automatic Bilge Pumps | Non-Automatic Bilge Pump

[nik]

Originally Posted by Kevin Redbond

Can anyone offer their recommendations as to the best electronic bilge pumps .... I've been through a sequence of Whale pumps and can't keep replacing them every couple of months ... I'm veering towards a non-submerged pump, with pick-up and seperate float switch - Any thoughts Guys ?

I have used whale pumps in the past and they have been fine.
There is one with a built in electronic switch and you can get a standalone electronic switch which I have also used.
The standalone worked very well. I have it as a deck pump to clear rainwater. It has two sensors, one above the other. It will not switch on until both sensors are covered and switches off when the lower one is uncovered and five seconds after that. It stops constant switching on and off.
I was concerned about it draining the battery but it takes so little on standby its of no significance.
I would certainly use it again.
They have updated it so mine looks slightly different to this:
First, pump with integrated sensor
second, electronic field switch.

[Oscarguitar]

I have just replaced my Rule Mate 750 with another one of the new design with no moving parts. Not cheap, but the old one didn't want to switch off any more.

It turned out to be a bit of a saga, with the first replacement being jammed and blowing a fuse and then doing the same as the old one which was not switching off so a second replacement was called for (FOC).

I decided to go with the same make and model as the old one was about 7 years old when it packed up which wasn't bad. Also mine gets very little use. The boat is dry stacked and fitted with a trunk. So most the the time the pump is high and dry!

Reading around some have expressed quality concerns with the Mexican made Rule Pumps, but my decision was based on following the line of least resistance (I thought!). The best advice I have seen is to get a big un over a little un.

[Searider]

Water witch switch and a rule 1500gph pump have served me well for the last 7 years.

I'd be wary of having an integrated sensor as the pads need cleaning if they get oily.

[jambo]

Well I've always had Rule pumps and never had any bother until I tried the all-in-one Rulemate. Mistake I think the constant 'click' sensor is a bigger drain on the battery and they are more prone to failure, I went thru three of them in the same year!! I am now back to a seperate float switch and the 1100 pump, its all systems go so I will not be changing the set-up.
Hope this helps.

[Oscarguitar]

Originally Posted by jambo

I went thru three of them in the same year!!
Hope this helps.

I better start saving, or at least keep the invoice, they are guaranteed for 3 years so that is some reassurance.

[Onboard]

Thanks for all your in-put guys - much appreciated !

K