Bilge pumps?

What, or who makes the pumps for the bilge, I have two pumps located on the bulkhead above the moter. I think the forward one is for the shower or water pressure, and the aft one is the main bilge area pump. When I turn the breaker to one you hear a small click at the breaker panel, and that's it. Can I rebuilt the pump, or just buy a new one.

The manuaL bilge pump also does not work? When pumping I can hear the sucking noise at the thru hull, but nothing happens but some air bubbles at the bilge area. Is this unit a whale gusher 10?

Thanks for any info, I have to get something working sooner than later.

Bilge Pump

On my E-35-3 we have two pumps mounted on the bulk head above the engine. One drains the shower sump area, the second, the main bilge area. I was going through a shower pump yearly. I moved the switch back near the electrical panel to eliminate the extra leg to the head and that seemed to cure the pump burning up.

I have since added a Rule 4000 gph pump. Not a fun project getting the new hose routed to the stern of the boat, but, well worth the piece of mind.

Nothing faster then a man with a bucket on a sinking boat...Can't fix the leak if you are the one bailing...

Best of luck.

Matt
Wind Chaser
E35-3

It's raining dogs and cats here

Thanks Matt, I went to worst marine to look what they had in stock, nothing but washdown pumps, I am looking at a par pump and have several questions.

1. How is the pump wired to the panel and the float switch? Do you not want the pump hooked directy to the battery?

2. How is the float switch wired in the series?

3. Is the par pump the right choice or buy something that will mount in the bilge with a higher gph?

4. Can I just remove the shower pump and use it for now, then replace the pump in question?

5. Are there rebuild kits for these pumps?

6. From reading many topics on this matter on this forum and other sites do you feel that the pump setup and opperation is the best design? With the float switch height location in our bilge we would always have water?

7. What is the best float switch?

8. Thank you all for any advice

Pumps

Here is a great article on bilge pumps that will answer questions 1,2:

http://www.boatus.com/boattech/casey/14.htm

I have been told, and believe that the new "in bilge" style pumps are worth the time and money to install. I left the two pumps that were "stock" in place so that I can drain down the last bit of bilge water from the main sump and the shower sump does not drain well to the main sump.

I have replaced my fresh water pump with a Par pump and have been happy for the last two years of use. I would use Par again.

I have always wired bilge pumps directly even though it goes against the ABYC guidelines.

Not sure about rebuild kits since I always wiped out the motor not the pump. My "stock" pumps are Jabsco Water Puppy. You may have luck googling a rebuild kit.

The larger Rule pumps have the float built in. I have only used the rule "unprotected" float switches for the other two pumps. Make sure they are mounted securely and can move freely without hoses or wiring interfering or floating in the way.

You have probably figured out that I don't care for the original design. They are good for occasional use, shower, draining the last bit, but, I would hate to think that's my last resort. Better to have three and a bucket...

Beam winds,

Matt
Wind Chaser
E35-3

Past Relevant Threads

http://www.ericsonyachts.org/infoexchange/showthread.php?t=6389&referrerid=28

http://www.ericsonyachts.org/infoexchange/showthread.php?t=6020&referrerid=28

http://www.ericsonyachts.org/infoexchange/showthread.php?t=3203&referrerid=28

http://www.ericsonyachts.org/infoexchange/showthread.php?t=836&referrerid=28

One other note about the ABYC requirement for fusing -- you can nowadays buy a Blue Seas DC distribution mini-panel with several breakers for "always on" stuff like bilge pump circuits.

Regards,
Loren