bilge pump type?

daveywonder

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Feb 21, 2012
Messages
38
Installing a bilge pump...What type and brand is best and simple to install.? Is the float necessary? The two I looked at do not come with floats. tks.
 

airshot

Rear Admiral
Joined
Jul 22, 2008
Messages
4,219
While I have not had personal experience with the type that use electrical sensing, I have heard many stories about them so based on that I would recommend one with a float switch. On some brands the float switch is extra, many pros and cons on separate switches and built in float switches. On my boat (22') I use two bilge pumps, one set low and one set higher in the bilge. Both have built in float switches and have had no issues after 3 years. I also use separate batteries, one for starting only and a deep cycle house battery for all other electronics. The main pump runs off the deep cycle and the spare pump runs off the starting battery as a just in case!! Both are set for automatic use but my dash switch allows for manual override on the main pump. My pumps are Sahara pumps and so far no issues.
 
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