Posted by joe morency on 07/08/14 - 7:41 AM
#1
We have burned out two pumps in last year with crap getting into bilge in stern floor gutter that bilge pump sits in. Any ideas on how to avoid? Using internal flaot switch models and it is so tight in that pace. Additional screening??
ThanksJoe
Posted by Finnegan on 07/11/14 - 4:30 PM
#2
I HIGHLY recommend the Rule 500 GPH automatic pump, which has a "chip" that senses water loading to activate. It is very compact, with no external float to take up space. It has a fine mesh screen in the base to keep out junk. All you need is a two wire cable in the tunnel to wire, connected to an on-off switch. When needed, turn it on, and it will sense water every 3 minutes. It can be left on for up to 3 weeks with no major battery drain. When not needed at all, (most of the time in my case), simply leave it off.
Here is a photo:
http://smg.photobucket.com/user/lgolt...8307883743
In the photo, the white Ancor two wire #14 cable wrapping around the pump is the switched power lead. If a replacement is ever needed, it's a simple wire nut re-connection. The wire nuts are filled with caulking and are TOTALLY waterproof, even under water. The pump and connections do not show under the teak plywood sump cover, and the discharge follows the engine rigging to an over the transom discharge using black smooth wall tubing, terminating in a 90 degree "L".