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Aft bilge pump lets water in?!

Discussion in 'Cabo Yacht' started by Jrms80, Nov 28, 2015.

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  1. Pascal, Nov 28, 2022
    #101
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    The rule super switch, or any rule switches build in the last 10 years are worthless. I redid all my bilge pump system 5 years ago with 5 new 3700s, rule switches, new wiring, new alarm panel etc. I have already replaced 2 of the switches, one of which burned one of the pump by constantly sending some low voltage to the pump

    the only switches I use now are ultra switches. Yes they’re almost three times the price but worth it. Some of them are 15 years old on the lazzara 110 I run and still working great
  2. SplashFl, Nov 28, 2022
    #102
    SplashFl

    SplashFl Senior Member

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    Been using these for well over a decade after learning all the "big name" ones were crap. Made here in Florida and when the oem vessel wires were different then the paperwork diagrams that came with the Ultra Switch, a call to the company brought the owner on to quickly trouble shoot. Not cheap but IMO worth it.
  3. mapism, Nov 28, 2022
    #103
    mapism

    mapism Senior Member

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    I'm not sure if/how easily you can find them in the US, but these folks build some bulletproof diaphragm pump for nautical applications.
    Short of bricks, they can suck just about anything from bilges - or holding tanks, whatever.
    Capacity of the attached models goes from 400 to 1900 GPH, but they may build also larger ones, IDK.

    Of course they are larger/heavier/more expensive than those Rule toys, because, well, toys they are not.
    But as opposed to submersible pumps (in reply also to CJ comment), they can be placed wherever convenient, routing just a hose with its suction strainer to the bilge bottom.
    Being fully self-priming, they will pick up to the last drop of water regardless of placement.

    The switches topic instead was already debated in this old thread, just in case anyone is interested.

    Attached Files:

    • FEIT.pdf
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  4. Capt Maritime, Nov 28, 2022
    #104
    Capt Maritime

    Capt Maritime Member

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    Must have been a design change between 2005 and 2008 hulls switching the discharges from the stern quarters to the transom.
  5. Capt Maritime, Nov 28, 2022
    #105
    Capt Maritime

    Capt Maritime Member

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    I have seen those "Ultra Switches" on many commercial ships I have worked on. Very simple and it looks like they have brackets to hook right onto the bilge pump they are servicing. Thanks for the info on those float switches.
  6. Capt Ralph, Nov 28, 2022
    #106
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Sorry my friend, I read American (south/eastern). That PDF does nothing for me.
  7. Capt Ralph, Nov 28, 2022
    #107
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    IMO, they are a great switch, just leaves more water in the bilge. Kind of counter to the thread?
  8. mapism, Nov 29, 2022
    #108
    mapism

    mapism Senior Member

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    More details are available in their website, of which there's also the EN version.
    And according to which, Maritime Diesel Electric in Tamarac is one of their distributors.

    BTW, they just announced also a cable reel system, though I guess it'll be hard for them to compete with Glendinning in their home Country...
  9. Capt Maritime, Jul 7, 2024
    #109
    Capt Maritime

    Capt Maritime Member

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    During a recent trip on the Cabo I jumped down in the steering compartment area and noticed the port fish box macerating pump leaking between the motor and pump casing. This only happens at slower speeds/not on plane when overboard discharge goes awash. Time to fix that issue.
  10. rtrafford, Jul 7, 2024
    #110
    rtrafford

    rtrafford Senior Member

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    The Ultra switches are the only ones that I use. Any discharge capable of back-siphoning (like on the transom) should have a simple check valve installed in a position where it can be maintained. Helm should have an activity light to indicate pump function. You can see cycles and note short cycles that could be indicative of a problem.
  11. Norseman, Jul 7, 2024
    #111
    Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    I had the same problem with one of my Ultra switches: Called the manufacturer in Palm Beach, he said to get a model for Deep Bilges.
    (I never got around to it, installed a small sump pump that sucked up all the residual water in the bilge and pumped it to the head, also had check valves in the main bilge pump discharge lines. Sailboat, most of the bilge water came from rain entering openings on top of the mast)
    I installed red lights showing when each bilge pump activated so I could see it from the helm, Rule 2000 and Rule 3700. If both came on at the same time, it would be bad, they never did..:cool:
  12. Capt Ralph, Jul 7, 2024
    #112
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    What brand/model pump?
  13. Pascal, Jul 7, 2024
    #113
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    here is what I did on my 53 seven or eight years ago, it was the first I did before installing the chillers and repowering .

    I ripped all the old pumps and wiring and ran new harnesses to each location.
    Each compartment has a rule 3700, float switch, high water float switch. The panel has a breaker for each pump, an over ride manual switch, a red high water and pump running LEDs. Plus a green showing each pump breaker is on and a breaker for the high water alarms. I left a spare in case I want to add an extra pump aft and included controls and LEDs for the shower sumps. Haven’t gotten around to adding a buzzer… one day

    I sleep better at night :)

    Attached Files:

  14. rtrafford, Jul 7, 2024
    #114
    rtrafford

    rtrafford Senior Member

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    I've been fortunate to have had no failures on the Ultra's over the past 20 years or so. Four are aboard now, with two spares tucked away. My theory is no failures are due to having the spares.

    Also added a very nice dry bilge system that soaks up any remnant water and keeps everything dry as a bone when I'm not running. That's terrific confidence to have when away from a metal boat...dry is your friend...
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