Bilge Pump... automatic or not??

[chrisf695]

So the engine is out and I figure I would replace the bilge pump, but not sure if I should use an automatic. My boat sits in the canal during the summer with 2 covers on it at all times unless being used of course. Is there really a need to put an automatic bilge in then?

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Bilge Pump... automatic or not??

Yes, the bilge pump needs to be able to turn on when you are not around.

It is part of Murphy's Law.

 

[chrisf695]

Re: Bilge Pump... automatic or not??

ok... will buy automatic.

 

[babbot]

Re: Bilge Pump... automatic or not??

No question. A cover could cave in with a large storm and totally flood the boat.
I need to pick one up myself, currently only have a manual pump and I may be mooring the boat next year. I may even add the auto pump and keep the manual pump for emergencies have the manual one but that requires extra plumping(more work)

 

[CHARGER2]

Re: Bilge Pump... automatic or not??

No question. A cover could cave in with a large storm and totally flood the boat.

Rain from a monsoon will not sink a boat. An unnoticed leak after use WILL sink a boat. Boat cover or not the auto pump is to prevent leaks from sinking the boat while you are away. Get the auto. Most auto's will let you run them manually anyway.

 

[90stingray]

Re: Bilge Pump... automatic or not??

I dont know how you would sleep at night without an automatic. My old rig, with a manual bilge pump, had to sit in a slip for a week while i blasted and painted the trailer. It was tough for me... i think the only saving grace was being at a marina that does a great job watching the boats.

My newer boat has an automatic, that works properly. I dont keep it on the water... but i feel good knowing it works. Dont just flip the switch and listen for the hum of the motor. Actually fill the bilge and make sure the switch works and the line is clear. Its cheap insurance... i dont know why you wouldnt do it.

 

[JEBar]

Re: Bilge Pump... automatic or not??

if the boat is in the water and nobody is there, automatic is a necessity .... the same would be true if the boat is out of the water and there is the slightest chance that you might forget to install the plug prior to launching ... :facepalm:

Jim

 

[cyclops2]

Re: Bilge Pump... automatic or not??

The Rule Computer controlled pumps are great. they also have a seperate manual override wire. A simple 2 position switch does it all.
Had a auto computer die. Flipped the switch to HAND. Pump ran bilge dry.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Bilge Pump... automatic or not??

Yes, the bilge pump needs to be able to turn on when you are not around.

It is part of Murphy's Law.

Ayuh,.... Exactly,.... with a float switch,... those 'puter pumps kill yer batteries just Testin' for water....

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Bilge Pump... automatic or not??

Many a trailer boater has had his boat saved by an automatic coming on in response to a leak he would not have known about until he swamped and rolled. And that goes for seaworthy self-bailing boats.

For that reason if I had to choose, I'd rather have an automatic than a manual; I find little use for just manual. If the boat needs bailing enough for me to flip a switch, the auto already did it for me.


ETA: by "automatic" I mean float switch (auto v manual). get the kind that's inside a box so something won't fall on it and block it. you can test them by turning a knob.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Bilge Pump... automatic or not??

Ayuh,.... Exactly,.... with a float switch,... those 'puter pumps kill yer batteries just Testin' for water....

Yes, I made the mistake of getting one of those "automatic" pumps . . . stupid thing. :facepalm: It would cycle every 2 minutes for a few seconds, . . . by my estimation, it would kill a battery in a couple of week's time. I had to re-purpose it, since it was not the sort of thing to leave 'active' for long periods of time.ch.

Get something with a float switch.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Bilge Pump... automatic or not??

...if I had to choose, I'd rather have an automatic than a manual; I find little use for just manual. If the boat needs bailing enough for me to flip a switch, the auto already did it for me.

An "Automatic Float Switch" is simpler and does the same job as the "Automatic" part of the Automatic Pump.

I have had the crew point out the big stream of water comping out the side of the boat when we were beating through some heavy seas for a while.
It hadn't occurred to me that the spray was adding up to much.
The float switch had emptied the bilge long before I even thought to see if there was even any water in there to be concerned about.

Automatic, definitely!

 

[cyclops2]

Re: Bilge Pump... automatic or not??

I had float switches for decades. Problem was I never knew when they were not working. The computer gives just enough noise to hear it run. Plus they REALLY suck it dry enough to air dry the hull bottom.

Any type of Automatic is fine.

I have a fully charged size 24 battery in a 9.9 hp X 16' fish boat. Battery still full of power during a dry summer. Never ran down. i do boat at least 1 time aweek.

 

[rolmops]

Re: Bilge Pump... automatic or not??

Why choose?
It is a way better idea to have one of each side by side. If you go out on a big lake or the brine,you are on your own and ,at least in my opinion, you should have a backup alternative for every safety related part of equipment in your boat. Specially the stuff that can make the difference between sinking and being able to make it in.
On Lake Ontario during the spring months the lake is full of partly or fully submerged debris that floats around. a friend of mine hit a dock about 12 miles off shore. If not for the twin bilge pumps, he would have been fish food.

 

[ENSIGN]

Re: Bilge Pump... automatic or not??

YES,always use one I've seen engines damaged even with the boat setting on a lift!

 

[gm280]

Re: Bilge Pump... automatic or not??

You can always put sensor circuits in to operate the automatic pump option instead of a float switch that can get stuck (open or closed). I have built sensor circuits that would turn on a relay and keep my boat emptied without any problems. Just two probes sense the water level and turn on a relay switching power to the pump(s). It uses so little power that it could sense actual water levels for years and not drain any battery until it turns on the pump(s)... Just an idea...and you can make any bilge pump an automatic bilge pump as well... :happy:

 

[CHARGER2]

Re: Bilge Pump... automatic or not??

Yes, I made the mistake of getting one of those "automatic" pumps . . . stupid thing. :facepalm: It would cycle every 2 minutes for a few seconds, . . . by my estimation, it would kill a battery in a couple of week's time. I had to re-purpose it, since it was not the sort of thing to leave 'active' for long periods of time.ch.

Get something with a float switch.

Time for a new battery. A deep cycle marine battery should keep that pump active all summer with ease. Look at it this way: if your battery can't handle these test cycles over a few weeks, how do you expect it to actually continuously pump out water under load if you leave it in a leaky boat for a few days?

 

[cyclops2]

Re: Bilge Pump... automatic or not??

Charger is right.
Had a battery go to a bad cell. Pump sounded slower. Changed the battery next day. It was shot. Float switch would have given no warning. Just stopped pumping quietly untill I saw water coming up the floor boards.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Bilge Pump... automatic or not??

by "automatic" meant float switch (auto v manual). get the kind that's inside a box so something won't fall on it and block it. you can test them by turning a knob.

 

[chrisf695]

Re: Bilge Pump... automatic or not??

Well we use our boat 4-5 days a week sometimes... for sure 2 times a week(We live on the lake). I have two deep cycle batteries on boat, one for my starting and the other for my music at the sandbar. Boat is docked all summer, but i do take it out every two weeks for a good wash and wax. So which bilge pump suites me best? Automatic or float?

Thanks for all the responses!!