Bilge Pump Review

[OllieC]

This is probably the wrong forum - however, have you ever purchased something, installed or used it, and then read that it was a piece of junk?

Well I just purchased and installed a Rule-Mate 1100 that auto senses the water (no mercury float). After the install I looked up some reviews and there seems to be an issue with them being stuck in the "on" position and draining the battery. Like most reviews however, most tend to leave one when they have an issue, not visa-versa.

Anyone use one of these things?

 

[Philster]

Re: Bilge Pump Review

Be it an electronic auto sensor on a bilge pump, sewage pump or sump pump: I've been disappointed by them all.

Yeah... they get stuck on.

 

[Maclin]

Re: Bilge Pump Review

I bought one a few years ago and took it back the next day. I could not get the flow rate I wanted, it was not even close to the one I wanted to replace. I had it in a kids pool with the hose rise about what it would be in the boat. I wanted an automatic one and it seemed to be the simpler solution with no float switch wiring but it just did not perform. I went with an updated version of my older one and added the float switch, it was not rated as high but pumped out twice as fast. The Rule one would start out with some zing for about half a second then quickly went into slow mode or something. I did not trust it after trying it side by side with the other. The one I went with is rated at 750, one of the exchangeable cartridge types.

The auto-sensing ones take some power to just be there sensing, and once I decided to not be lazy and put in the float switch I was glad I did not have something in there that drew power every so often even if the bilge was dry.

I have mine with the floatswitch powered directly from separate deep cycle battery. I also have it wired to run on demand from the dash from the primary battery, with a relay that cuts the connection from the deep cycle battery.

 

[scoutabout]

Re: Bilge Pump Review

Ah, bilge pump capacity. My favorite pet peeve. Remember, those gph ratings are for zero lift. As in, no hose attached. No one uses them that way of course, but then they'd have to dial back their output claims by 30-40% to take into account the power required to lift water up and out of the boat and, well, that don't sell with the people as good.

And yah - I've had the type you've mentioned and it got stuck on too.

 

[OllieC]

Re: Bilge Pump Review

What a bummer...... :facepalm: I threw the packaging out...so no refund from West Marine is my guess.....$110 down the toilet....

 

[OllieC]

Re: Bilge Pump Review

Well...I talked with West Marine and of course I can't exchange the unit. The manager had mentioned that he sells a "boat" load of these with minimal issues. He told me that the only difference between a Rule-Mate RM1100 and a standard float and pump is that it is contained in one unit.
I said to him the word "Fully Automatic", which he told me it was not (no electronic sensing system and turn on and off). I guess I'll give it a shot and see how she goes.....

 

[bigtrout1949]

Re: Bilge Pump Review

Bilge pumps are a painful neccesity.. I have been in charge of maintaining boats for a state agency for 33 years. Have used all makes and brands. None compare to the Jabsco brand. They are hard to find these days. Used to get them from ww grainger. If you can find a source I suggest you buy enough to last your lifetime. They are completely reliable, Have great output and resist oil and fuel well and don't rust or fail like the ones you mentioned. Good luck!!

 

[Maclin]

Re: Bilge Pump Review

My experience was with the auto-sensing version. The one you just described may be ok, but I still like the separate float switch. The float switch I have clips right on the side of the pump, but is entirely autonomous and easily removed.

Does the Rule you bought have a test lever?

 

[OllieC]

Re: Bilge Pump Review

It has a button you push, not a lever. The manager said that the key is to keep your bilge clean.

I originally was going to replace just the float but got sold on this one.....unfortunately I didn't do my research like I usually do.....

 

[Maclin]

Re: Bilge Pump Review

Zoiks. Most float switches have a mechanical test lever that raises the float so you can actually test the mechanical switching. That one has too much integration, just my opinion, for future reference

 

[am_dew]

Re: Bilge Pump Review

I have a Rule 500 Automatic in my boat for the past 7-8 years or so and never had an issue with it. I remove and clean the strainer/filter on the bottom of it at least once per season and I also keep my bilge clean. I also have a separate float switch that was in the boat already so I just left it when I installed the Rule 500. I have it all wired so that the only time the Rule 500 does it automatic sensing is if the separate float switch floats up high enough to pass power to the Rule 500 or if I have the bilge switch at the helm turned on then the Rule 500 always has power and does it's automatic check for water every couple minutes.

 

[OllieC]

Re: Bilge Pump Review

I never though of that - I could add another float switch.....kind of lame but would probably be a good secondary just in case it sticks on.....

 

[am_dew]

Re: Bilge Pump Review

I never though of that - I could add another float switch.....kind of lame but would probably be a good secondary just in case it sticks on.....

Just to add a bit more, the only time I turn on the bilge switch at the helm is when I leave the boat moored overnight, otherwise I let the float switch dictate when the pump will work. Just before disembarking from the boat when it will be moored overnight, I turn the bilge switch on...this way I don't worry about the float switch not working and in turn then the pump never working. Of course, the other side of that coin says that the pump's automatic sensor could fail somehow and stay on and drain the battery or not work at all.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Bilge Pump Review

I just got the smaller version of the Rule automated bilge pump . . . not so good.

I don't like the fact that it has to cycle every 2 minutes and uses excess battery power in order to 'sense' water. I'd rather go with a float switch that activates only when there is water.

I did some quick 'guestimating' and figured that the mini pump would use about 6 amp-hours per week of battery life, not to mention, probably wear itself out prematurely by continually coming on for a second every 2 minutes.

I'm going to re-configure mine so that it uses a float switch.

 

[OllieC]

Re: Bilge Pump Review

I was told mine doesn't cycle - am I wrong? Could you attach a pic of the one you have tpenfield?

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Bilge Pump Review

I was told mine doesn't cycle - am I wrong? Could you attach a pic of the one you have tpenfield?

Here is what I got . . . goes on for 1 second every 2 minutes

A bit hard to see, but it is something like 350 or 500 gph - only about 4-5" high

 

[OllieC]

Re: Bilge Pump Review

Geeeeeez.....you didn't have to go in your boat - Thanks - I saw that unit at West Marine this afternoon. I believe yours may be a fully automatic while mine is auto (solid state float switch).

edit: oh and nice bilge!