Bilge Pump Debris Protection

fishrdan

Admiral
Joined
Jan 25, 2008
Messages
6,989
I'm need to figure out a good way to keep debris out of my bilge pumps. The tree in my back yard sheds small seeds that find their way into my boat and then wash down into the bilge. These seeds are the perfect size to jam in the bilge pump's impeller, as I have seen before at the most inopportune time.

One idea was putting the pump into a women's nylon stocking, but I think it will reduce flow. Also thought of using a swamp cooler pump "basket" to filter the water,

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but stuff could get over the top of the basket.

What do you guys use?
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: Bilge Pump Debris Protection

put a cover on the boat when stored.
 

45Auto

Commander
Joined
May 31, 2002
Messages
2,842
Re: Bilge Pump Debris Protection

How about getting some aluminum mesh from Mcmaster-Carr with an opening width slightly smaller than the seeds. Wrap it around the bilge pump with some nylon cable ties.

WC.jpg
 

marine4003

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Feb 3, 2008
Messages
1,119
Re: Bilge Pump Debris Protection

12 x 20 blue tarp - $15.00....10 bungie cords - $ 12.00..Results = priceless
 

salty87

Commander
Joined
Aug 12, 2003
Messages
2,327
Re: Bilge Pump Debris Protection

agree with the cover but i've seen some rather rednecked buddies use window screen wrapped around the pump.
 

mthieme

Captain
Joined
Oct 6, 2007
Messages
3,270
Re: Bilge Pump Debris Protection

agree with the cover but i've seen some rather rednecked buddies use window screen wrapped around the pump.

Ditto - beat me to the punch.
By the way, I resemble that remark!:)
 

fdmsiv

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Mar 2, 2008
Messages
283
Re: Bilge Pump Debris Protection

Down here we can get brass/bronze window screens for salty environments. You can also get a plastic or fiberglass screen material, but don't know how well it would hold up with pretty much constant contact with water.

You may want to build a little cage around the pump so that it takes more material to clog the pump. Make sure you pump can run dry, if not the screen is going to eventually block the flow and you are going to ruin your pump unless the screen is monitored for buildup
 

fishrdan

Admiral
Joined
Jan 25, 2008
Messages
6,989
Re: Bilge Pump Debris Protection

The boat is covered 99% of the time while parked, but there are times when the boat can't be covered, working on it, loading, drying out after being soaked, etc. .. this is when the seeds blow into the boat.

Thought of the window screen too, guess it will work if I can't find something that will work better.
 

fishmen111

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Feb 1, 2008
Messages
637
Re: Bilge Pump Debris Protection

I glue a round closed cell outer pre-filter to the bilge floor. The type used over a paper filter on a shop-vac or riding mower to keep the large debris out.
 

woosterken

Lieutenant
Joined
May 18, 2005
Messages
1,431
Re: Bilge Pump Debris Protection

how about a chain saw? cut down the tree!
problem solved!!

woosterken
 
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