Automatic bilge pump

[beckoning]

I have 2 bilge pumps: one manual and one automatic for which I no longer have the directions or even know the brand (probably a Rule). The automatic bilge pump cycles every 3 minutes to check for water. I have very limited space in the bilge, and cannot screw the automatic pump to the hull, so it sits on its side. That may be the problem to why it doesn't not sense water even when the bilge is full.

QUESTION: Does the internal float in an automatic bilge pump require that the pump be vertical (top up) to work? Mine sits on its side and does not activate to pump out water. If it needs to be vertical, how to secure it at the bottom of the bilge without screwing it into the aluminum hull? If I wedge it in with something, the vibrations from the boat in motion will dislodge the wedge. Your ideas on how to secure the pump into a vertical position in the bilge?

 

[Stinnett21]

What about epoxy?

 

[Alumarine]

"QUESTION: Does the internal float in an automatic bilge pump require that the pump be vertical (top up) to work?"

Depends on the pump.
Sounds like yours works on water resistance but I'm just guessing.

Often it's the twist in the hose that causes the pumps to not sit properly.
Try loosening the hose clamp and rotate the pump 90 degrees and see if that helps.

I mount mine in a plastic tray with holes in it to give it a larger footprint and make them sit properly.

 

[beckoning]

Hose is clear. When I hole the on-auto-off lever to "on", it pumps like a champ. I'll try the plastic tray, but vibration and bouncing would seem to bounce the plastic plate enough to tip over the pump.

What about epoxy?

Epoxy is too demanding of the surface it adheres to. Is there another glue that will adhere to aged aluminum that is impossible to get clean? Then, I could glue a 3"x3" square of 1x4 to the hull, and use short screws to hold the pump to the 1x4. Will Gorilla glue work?

 

[beckoning]

"QUESTION: Does the internal float in an automatic bilge pump require that the pump be vertical (top up) to work?"

Depends on the pump.
Sounds like yours works on water resistance but I'm just guessing.

Often it's the twist in the hose that causes the pumps to not sit properly.
Try loosening the hose clamp and rotate the pump 90 degrees and see if that helps.

I mount mine in a plastic tray with holes in it to give it a larger footprint and make them sit properly.

Hose is clear. It pumps when I turn it on manually. If I could fit a PVC elbow to the pump so instead of exiting sideways, it exited up, then the pump would sit upright, and when jostled and bounced, it would tend to land upright. Plastic tray also sounds like a good idea.

 

[poconojoe]

I vote to rough up the aluminum with some course sandpaper or a light touch with a grinder. Then glue a wooden block to it. Not too thick of a wooden block. You don't want your pump too high. Use marine epoxy, I guess.

Now you can screw your pump to the wood. If it ever needs replacement, just unscrew it.

 

[beckoning]

I vote to rough up the aluminum with some course sandpaper or a light touch with a grinder. Then glue a wooden block to it. Not too thick of a wooden block. You don't want your pump too high. Use marine epoxy, I guess.

Now you can screw your pump to the wood. If it ever needs replacement, just unscrew it.

"QUESTION: Does the internal float in an automatic bilge pump require that the pump be vertical (top up) to work?"

Depends on the pump.
Sounds like yours works on water resistance but I'm just guessing.

Often it's the twist in the hose that causes the pumps to not sit properly.
Try loosening the hose clamp and rotate the pump 90 degrees and see if that helps.

I mount mine in a plastic tray with holes in it to give it a larger footprint and make them sit properly.

 

[beckoning]

"QUESTION: Does the internal float in an automatic bilge pump require that the pump be vertical (top up) to work?"

Depends on the pump.
Sounds like yours works on water resistance but I'm just guessing.

Often it's the twist in the hose that causes the pumps to not sit properly.
Try loosening the hose clamp and rotate the pump 90 degrees and see if that helps.

I mount mine in a plastic tray with holes in it to give it a larger footprint and make them sit properly.

Alumarine,
Thank you for getting me to start thinking about the exit angle from the bilge pump. I think I fixed it. Since the pump exits sideways, I needed to find space for the hose to slowly curve upwards to the open transom. I re-rerouted the exhauust tube to the pump now sits flat on the hull. Thank you for jogging my brain. Now, the pump works as it should.....cycles very 3 minutes to test whether it needs to pump, and pumps like a champ when it detects enough water to turn on. Thanks.

 

[Alumarine]

Glad you got it figured out.

 

[Grub54891]

if I get restricted space in a bilge, I make up a flat alunimum barstock from the local hardware store, shape it to fit in the lowest part of the bilge, attach the pump and fasten the end to someplace higher up. if you have issues later its easy to remove the pump by sliding it out.

 

[poconojoe]

if I get restricted space in a bilge, I make up a flat alunimum barstock from the local hardware store, shape it to fit in the lowest part of the bilge, attach the pump and fasten the end to someplace higher up. if you have issues later its easy to remove the pump by sliding it out.

That's a great idea!

 

[gm280]

I have no idea what type pump you have. I've personally never heard of a bilge pump cycling every three minutes to determine if it needs to pump water out. I have heard of "float" type pumps and even "sensor" types that when the bilge water touches two probes, it turns on and pumps water out. But never ever heard of a cycling type. So is your bilge pump a float type, or sensor type. It makes a real difference depending on the type how you can get away with mounting it. JMHO I have heard of cycling live well pumps...

 

[Alumarine]

I have no idea what type pump you have. I've personally never heard of a bilge pump cycling every three minutes to determine if it needs to pump water out. I have heard of "float" type pumps and even "sensor" types that when the bilge water touches two probes, it turns on and pumps water out. But never ever heard of a cycling type. So is your bilge pump a float type, or sensor type. It makes a real difference depending on the type how you can get away with mounting it. JMHO I have heard of cycling live well pumps...

From my Rule 25S instructions that I use as a backup to main pump.

"Through advanced electronic technology, Rule Automatic Bilge Pumps eliminate the need for a separate switch to activate the pump. Once power is supplied, starting and stopping is completely automatic. The pump checks for water every 2 ½ minutes by running for a second and measuring load against the impeller. If water is present, the pump remains on until the water is removed. Thereafter it resumes its 2 ½ minute check cycle."

 

[Grub54891]

From my Rule 25S instructions that I use as a backup to main pump.

"Through advanced electronic technology, Rule Automatic Bilge Pumps eliminate the need for a separate switch to activate the pump. Once power is supplied, starting and stopping is completely automatic. The pump checks for water every 2 ½ minutes by running for a second and measuring load against the impeller. If water is present, the pump remains on until the water is removed. Thereafter it resumes its 2 ½ minute check cycle."

I don't like them. If you arte not hooked to shore power and charging batteries, it will kill your battery if you dont use the boat enough. At that point the boat could get enough rainwater or such and sink.