Second bilge pump - separate hole in transom?

[PiratePast40]

Thinking of installing a second bilge puimp in my 18' runabout with an I/O. Can I put in a 'Y' at the transom with a check valve so one pump doesn't backfeed into the other or go with separate discharge openings?

 

[gss036]

Re: Second bilge pump - separate hole in transom?

Put in a "Y", if you are taking in that much water, it really is not going to matter.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Second bilge pump - separate hole in transom?

seperate discharge if they will run simultaneously.
I don't know how well a check valve will work on a bilge pump rig since they tend to be relatively low pressure, and I would be concerned that the check valve is something else to go wrong on an essential part. At most I'd put a "valve" like the Y rig for a garden hose so you can cut off one or the other.
If one pump is only for back-up, maybe leave its hose loose and feed it over the side when needed, if you are concerned about too many holes.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Second bilge pump - separate hole in transom?

Ayuh,... A check-valve will get all boogered up with bilge trash in No time...

Originally, my bilge emptied at the aft starboard-side corner...
When I went to redundant bilge pumps, I popped another hole a couple inches from the 1st 1...
2 pumps with their own discharge, from 2 batteries...
Total redundancy...

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Second bilge pump - separate hole in transom?

^ Yup separate hoses and thru-hulls,

I clogged up a hose at the thru-hull fitting with trash once. If I had 2 pumps connected to the single discharge, I still wouldn't have been pumping out water.

(I didn't discover the plugged up hose until the bilge was full, the starter submerged and then the engine died. Too busy fighting heavy seas and wind blown spray....)