Bilge pump

jambo · 11 September 2010, 14:41

Hi folks I have had a hellish year with bilge pumps!! My first after 6 months went down in June completely dead and kleft my boat deeep in water and dead battery. They the electronics company replaced the said pump a Rule mate 1100 and chaecked all the wiring and fuses and bats so all was wellthat was in mid july. I have this morning received a call from my mate who says the pump was stuck 'on' mid week he freed it but this morning my boat is full of water and the bat is dead. Not bad 2 in three months.
So I am looking to replace with a reliable set=up can those who have their ribs on moorings please advise their set-up. Also has anybodyelse experienced this problem. No wonder I was having trouble with my bats the pump has obviously been draining them.

J

Quickflash · 11 September 2010, 16:01

Jmabo, please also read my thread on disconnectable connectors. I have had the same problems with bilgepumps !
Looking at the response from my thread you can consider the following;
- a full cover to prevent water from getting into the boat
- increase the heighth of the mounting of the bilgepump so as all the muck won't get to the bilgepump
- make sure no water gets into your electrical connectors ( this is what happened to me)
- you sometimes get lucky with a bilge pump and it will last for years or you are unlucky and you "burn" three in one season.

Rodan · 11 September 2010, 16:34

after several Rule pumps i gave up (5 to be precise).
got a http://www.johnson-pump.com/jpmarine...timaBilge.html boat in water all summer, plenty of rain, 4 years and not let me down yet. its a great little pump and really does the job.

BogMonster · 11 September 2010, 17:50

I had a manual Attwood V1250 (1250gph) fitted on my Humber which looked nowhere near new when I bought the boat and did ~ 3 years with me before the bearing on the motor went, it just got noisier and noisier and one day ground to a halt but I had about 3 months warning so I already had one on hand to replace it. Fitted another one and that was still in the boat a year or so later when I sold it and still working fine. Seawolf doesn't have a bilge pump because Roy reckoned it wasn't needed but if I find that I disagree, it will be another one the same - cheapish, low current draw (2.6 amps) and decent pumpage

willk · 11 September 2010, 20:43

Jambo - there has been an Attwood Sahara in mine since I bought her - not a problem in that time although I don't leave it on when she's not in the water. It has an internal float switch design so doesn't use power unless water is present to lift the switch. It has a fairly good strainer so shouldn't get clogged. It is easily opened to check and clean the impellor.

jambo · 12 September 2010, 14:31

Cheers guys I had an Attwood 1250 before this Rule bandit and had no probs I think I will go back.

J

nik · 13 September 2010, 09:56

I got one of these from whale.
Works fine, low profile, so it can fit into awkward places.

Nick.

JABS · 13 September 2010, 10:27

Well I must be the exception..

The last rib had a Rule automatic.

I fitted a new Rule auto on Mustard when I bought her and despite getting totally clogged on one occasion, still works perfectly after almost two years.

I often forget to turn it off and it has never drained the battery.

So it is Rule for me!

jambo · 15 September 2010, 17:31

Just an update to all the guys that contacted me. I have now fitted a straight Rule 1100 with a 'plus' float switch. As we all thought it was the pulse impeller that was causing the damage, both damaged pumps on way back to Rule just in case there is a fault.So heres hoping all will be well

Rogue Wave · 15 September 2010, 17:44

As a rule I don't buy Rule anymore I find Johnsohn and Saharas best. I also find th hydroswitch difficult to beat

http://www.go2marine.com/product.do?no=112053F you can get them in the UK

good luck

Trolli · 15 September 2010, 18:17

Got a Johnson for years without a single problem from the first day on.

Downhilldai · 15 September 2010, 23:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogue Wave

As a rule I don't buy Rule anymore

I need to adopt that attitude. The only thing I like about Rule pumps is their compact size. The Attwood and Sahara pumps look a lot more robust and I'll be trying one of them when the next Rule pump fails - shouldn't be long now

willk · 16 September 2010, 07:26

If someone can find an intact strainer/base for a Sahara 500, I like to buy it, or sell 'em a brand new never got wet pump...

A heffalump diver stomped on my Sahara, the pump is still fine but the strainer got squished

Bigmuz7 · 16 September 2010, 10:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

If someone can find an intact strainer/base for a Sahara 500, I like to buy it, or sell 'em a brand new never got wet pump...

A heffalump diver stomped on my Sahara, the pump is still fine but the strainer got squished

I think the shells are a bit of a weak fit IMO .. I've had them seperate of their own accord .. (not defending your heffalump) .. and that happened when it was in the underdeck too

.. after which it was flood-omatic time .. yay!

Downhilldai · 16 September 2010, 23:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

If someone can find an intact strainer/base for a Sahara 500, I like to buy it, or sell 'em a brand new never got wet pump...

A heffalump diver stomped on my Sahara, the pump is still fine but the strainer got squished

Tim M is known to keep a supply of bilge pump spares.