Installing a Bilge Pump
- Mount the pump You must not place the pump in the bilge unrestrained. If it falls over it will suck air and burn out. Pumps must be fastened down. ...
- Use smooth-bore hose Bilge Pumping ...
- Place the discharge above the waterline ...
- Use a thin-wall fitting ...
- Lead wiring up ...
- Don't skimp on wire size ...
- Use butt connectors and heat shrink ...
- Connect to the battery ...
Full Answer
How do you plumb a bilge pump?
Installing a Bilge PumpMount the pump. You must not place the pump in the bilge unrestrained. ... Use smooth-bore hose. Bilge Pumping. ... Place the discharge above the waterline. ... Use a thin-wall fitting. ... Lead wiring up. ... Don't skimp on wire size. ... Use butt connectors and heat shrink. ... Connect to the battery.More items...
Why is bilge pump hose corrugated?
The ribs in corrugated hoses offer the greatest resistance to flow because they create eddies near the hose walls that narrow the channel the water flows through, thereby reducing the amount of water a bilge pump can move in a given period.
Does a bilge pump need a vented loop?
standard (H-22.8. 7.2 dated 7/98) requiring a vented loop on the bilge pump outlet hose. Vented loops are a vital component in any onboard plumbing system. Without them, the risk of flooding or sinking is greatly increased because water can be back siphoned into your boat from the outside.
Should bilge pump be wired directly to battery?
We DO recommend every boat have an automatic (float switch) feed for the bilge pump, BUT recommend the “auto” float switch lead be run directly from the boat's battery (fused of course).
What size hose goes on a bilge pump?
There seems to be two common sizes, 3/4" and 1 1/8".
Why do bilge pumps have 3 wires?
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How often should you run the bilge pump on a boat?
pumps out about every 20 to 30 minutes. Shaft is dripping as it should, about 10 drops/minute.
Can you run a bilge pump dry?
Just remember that running the engine pump dry will damage the impeller, and that the intake connection should be in front of the sea strainer (so you don't suck bilge debris into the engine).
Do you leave the bilge pump on a boat?
Because the bilge collects water, a bilge pump there to draw the water out. It will use pressure or suction to do this. Without a functioning bilge pump, your boat will be subject to flooding. Additionally, if you don't maintain your bilge pumps the bilge water can get dirty and polluted.
How long will a 12 volt battery run a bilge pump?
Answer: Good question, a bilge pump might draw 5 to 15 amps at 12 VDC, over multiple 24 hour periods. Most boat batteries would only last a few days or maybe a week depending on the size of the bilge pump and the battery bank size and health.
Do bilge pumps run automatically?
The pump may have a float or switch to turn it on automatically when water collects in the bilge. This is especially important if the boat is kept in the water, as you'll want the pump to activate after a heavy rain storm, for example. The pump may also just have a manual switch at the helm.
Does bilge pump work when battery is off?
No if you turn off the battery, then hit the bilge it will not work. It's an auto bilge default off position), so the best is to turn off the battery switch, then drop a bucket of water down the hatch and watch it work first hand.
Why are hoses corrugated?
Corrugated hose is generally made in bronze, 300 series stainless steel, Monel, Hastalloy, or Inconel. The primary purpose of corrugated hose is to prevent the transmission of vibration from pumps, compressors, and other power systems to adjacent piping.
What is the purpose of a bilge blower?
The bilge blower exchanges the engine room air. Typically once every three minutes. Keeps gas fumes from accumulating in the bilge which can lead to an explosion in a gasoline powered vessel.
What is the most common cause of failure of reciprocating bilge pumps?
Reasons for Reciprocating bilge pump not taking suction Following are the reasons of ReciprocatingBilge Pump not taking suction: 1) Suction Strainer gasket is leaking, which is drawing in Air. 2) The suction valve of any of the bilge well is leaking. 3) Pipe line to the Bilge Pump is leaking somewhere.
What is a bilge sock?
A bilge sock looks like a long fabric tube, filled with absorbent material. There are other types and shapes of absorbent devices such as pads and pillows that are used in bilges as well. The absorbent sock is placed in the bilge compartment of a boat, where it soaks up gas and oil.
Do bilge pumps need to be fastened?
Bilge pumps have to be fastened to the boat to ensure they. don’t separate and begin pumping air instead of water, which can cause damage. Generally, you’ll want to use some sort of bracket or base to avoid drilling. into the hull directly. If you’re buying a kit, make sure to follow the.
Can a bilge pump discharge from above water?
With your water line marked during your preparation phase,#N#you’ll have no trouble ensuring that the bilge pump discharge comes from above#N#the water line. You don’t want your system to bring in water during surges and#N#waves, so it’s important to give your discharge enough space that it remains#N#consistently above water. Don’t let the fitting of the discharge go below the#N#water line.
How to reduce pump output?
Use smooth-bore hose. Corrugated hose reduces pump output by as much as 30%, so always connect the pump to the discharge fitting with hose that has a smooth interior surface. Bends and long runs also reduce pump output, so make the hose run as straight and as short as possible.
How many gph is a bilge pump?
The ideal bilge pump arrangement is a small (400 gph) automatic bilge pump mounted in the sump to dispense with rain and shaft-gland leakage, combined with a high capacity pump (3,500 gph) mounted higher to deal with more serious ingress.
How to get pump wires out of bilge?
It is essential to get the pump wiring out of the bilge as quickly as possible. Run the wires up and secure them so that they do not sag into the bilge water.
How to shrink wire before making connections?
You must slide the heat shrink over the wire and out of the way before you make the connections. Then center the tubing over the crimped connector and shrink it with a heat gun or by playing a flame beneath it. Be sure there are no explosive fumes in the bilge!
What happens if a pump falls over?
If it falls over it will suck air and burn out. Pumps must be fastened down. Brackets are available that attach to a stringer or other vertical feature, or you can epoxy a couple of bolts to the bottom of the bilge to serve as mounting studs. Float switches must also be fastened.
Can a large bilge pump be wired to a float switch?
The large pump can be wired to a float switch if you prefer, but I think a manual switch makes more sense. An added advantage of this bilge pump configuration is that the high-capacity pump sits high and dry, extending its life indefinitely. Advertisement.
Can you turn off the bilge pump on a boat?
When you turn the power off to leave the boat unattended, you don't want to turn off the bilge pump. Connect an automatic bilge pump directly to the battery, not through the distribution panel.
How many GPH should a boat pump be?
Capacity: For most mid-sized boats (30-35 feet in length), wed recommend a 1,000-1,500 gallon-per-hour (GPH) pump for the primary and one with a capacity of about 2,000 GPH for the backup. The American Bureau of Shipping recommends one ...
What is the maintenance of a bilge pump?
MAINTENANCE. Regular and frequent inspections of your bilge pumps are a must and should be included in the vessels overall preventative maintenance program. This helps you know when to replace worn or damaged components (bad float switches, deteriorated hoses) before they fail.
What are the factors to consider when installing a bilge pump?
While bilge pump installations are fairly straightforward-and definitely within the scope of DIY projects-there are several factors to consider (capacity, wire size, hose diameter, fuse size) before you begin, and there are some good rules of thumb to follow.
Where should a boat pump be mounted?
Location: According to the ABYC, the pump inlet must be positioned so that bilge water can be removed when the boat is in a static position and when it is at maximum heel (ABYC H-22). The mounting location also should make it easy to service the pumps and to clean them, particularly their strainers.
How far from battery is a pump wire?
Remember that the run length given in wire-gauge tables is the sum of the positive and negative legs of the circuit; a pump 10 feet from the battery will be referenced as having a 20-foot wire run. For the fuse size, simply go by the pump makers recommendation, and you should be set.
Can you mount a pump to plywood?
As the illustration shows, you can mount the larger pump to a piece of plywood thats bonded to the bilge sides. It should be wired to a dedicated breaker, which can be used as a switch, or it should also be wired to a dedicated, clearly marked toggle switch.
Is it a hassle to clean a bilge pump?
Keeping your bilge clean can be a hassle, but it doesn’t compare to the headache of a locked rotor or an impotent bilge pump in an emergency.
How to keep a boat discharge line?
As always, keep the discharge line above the water line. You can usually achieve this by tethering your bilge hose to the side of the boat and angling it over the edge. However, be sure to secure the bore hose well. Also, install the hose so that water easily clears the side of the boat.
How to protect a boat from water infiltration?
If you do drill into the hull, you may want to apply caulk around the breakpoints to protect against water infiltration. To minimize the damage to your hull, use the smallest screws that you can. A bilge pump for an aluminum boat is probably quite small, so it will not take up substantial space.
Why do you need to mount a bilge pump?
Mounting the bilge pump ensures that it is securely fastened to your boat so that it stays out of your way. This is also an imperative step to help your bilge pump work properly. If the bilge pump is not secured, it’s likely to fall over a burn out, ruining the internal components.
What is a smooth bore hose?
Smooth bore hoses help your bilge pump run efficiently and maximize its operation.
What is exposed on an aluminum boat?
Your wiring, battery, and connections will be very exposed on an aluminum boat.
Can you put a bilge pump on a Jon boat?
While this is standard practice when installing a bilge pump on larger boats, it’s better to keep your jon boat hull in one piece if possible. So, rather than removing water through the hull, orient your hose so that it removes water over the side of the boat. As always, keep the discharge line above the water line.
Can you install a bilge pump on a boat?
The process is very similar to installing a bilge pump on other types of boats, but there are a few differences when you’re working with aluminum.
What happens if a bilge pump falls out?
The same procedure is repeated for the float switch. If the bilge pump falls out, it may catch fire since it absorbs air. Even the float switch must be fastened properly.
Why do boat bilge pumps have smooth interior hoses?
Smooth interior hoses are added to the pump. This is done to increase the throughput of the boat bilge pump. The hose must be made to run short and straight.
