rule rulemate automatic bilge pump - new failure mode

[Jcat2010]

Members who have these automatic pumps installed should note that the "electronics" can fail in a few different modes. In addition to the more common - it stops coming on every several minutes, today, I learned of a new mode.

These units can also fail by sensing water and running for a few seconds, then stopping. They'll run again in a few, but stop shortly. I filled my bilge until the foreward pump started, and the aft kept cycling, but not running.

As it is 4 years old, and most people give them three years, I figure I got luckier than many, and replaced it with an integral float style. AND, since the new pump had three foot leads, I moved the crimp connectors up out of the bilge.

 

[mlanger]

Interestingly, I made an appointment to get mine replaced on Wednesday. It stopped running automatically, although it still runs manually. I run it a few times a day. That dripping packing nut really can add water to the bilge.

 

[GarryH]

Interestingly, I made an appointment to get mine replaced on Wednesday. It stopped running automatically, although it still runs manually. I run it a few times a day. That dripping packing nut really can add water to the bilge.

I have a 2021 R29CB. It is berthed on a lift and has not been underway for over 2 months. Yesterday I noticed water in bilge about an inch below the prop drive shaft. I turned on the aft bilge pump manually. It ran about a minute with a strong flow of water out the above waterline starboard thru hole. Fresh water tank does not appear to be leaking. Any ideas where the water is coming from. I did not taste it for salt, but it has been on the lift. I have washed the boat frequently. Never have had water in the bilge before (2.5 years).
Thank you for any ideas.

 

[American Flyer]

I have a 2021 R29CB. It is berthed on a lift and has not been underway for over 2 months. Yesterday I noticed water in bilge about an inch below the prop drive shaft. I turned on the aft bilge pump manually. It ran about a minute with a strong flow of water out the above waterline starboard thru hole. Fresh water tank does not appear to be leaking. Any ideas where the water is coming from. I did not taste it for salt, but it has been on the lift. I have washed the boat frequently. Never have had water in the bilge before (2.5 years).
Thank you for any ideas.

The first question should be, why was the water not pumped out automatically? Our aft bilge pump (the first one to go on when the water rises) stopped pumping water out of the bilge automatically due to a blown fuse on the float switch (always hot) circuit. Manually turning on the pump worked fine. That is when we found a water level similar to yours. Turns out the old pump was drawing to much power due to age and wear thus burning out the 5amp fuse. A new pump solved the problem.

 

[mlanger]

Any ideas where the water is coming from. I did not taste it for salt, but it has been on the lift. I have washed the boat frequently. Never have had water in the bilge before (2.5 years).
Thank you for any ideas.

Rain? I’m not being facetious. A marina where I had my boat on the hard for a while referred to that as “sinking on dry land.” The bilge pump doesn’t run but water comes in when it drains off the decks into the bilge.

by the way, replacing the pump fixed my problem. There was apparently something wrong with my pump, which was the original. I think five years was a pretty good run. I’m going to clean it out, see if there’s any obvious problem with it, and hold onto it as a spare. After all, it does still pump, even if it won’t pump automatically.

 

[mlanger]

Turns out the old pump was drawing to much power due to age and wear thus burning out the 5amp fuse. A new pump solved the problem.

Same with me, although my bilge pump fuses are both 7.5 amps. Replacing the pump fixed the problem.

 

[GarryH]

Members who have these automatic pumps installed should note that the "electronics" can fail in a few different modes. In addition to the more common - it stops coming on every several minutes, today, I learned of a new mode.

These units can also fail by sensing water and running for a few seconds, then stopping. They'll run again in a few, but stop shortly. I filled my bilge until the foreward pump started, and the aft kept cycling, but not running.

As it is 4 years old, and most people give them three years, I figure I got luckier than many, and replaced it with an integral float style. AND, since the new pump had three foot leads, I moved the crimp connectors up out of the bilge.

Members who have these automatic pumps installed should note that the "electronics" can fail in a few different modes. In addition to the more common - it stops coming on every several minutes, today, I learned of a new mode.

These units can also fail by sensing water and running for a few seconds, then stopping. They'll run again in a few, but stop shortly. I filled my bilge until the foreward pump started, and the aft kept cycling, but not running.

As it is 4 years old, and most people give them three years, I figure I got luckier than many, and replaced it with an integral float style. AND, since the new pump had three foot leads, I moved the crimp connectors up out of the bilge.

 

[GarryH]

Thank you everyone for your replies. Yes, I am still trying to determine why the pump apparently does not automatically cycle every 2.5 minutes. As mentioned, it does pump using the dashboard manual switch.. However, my post was primarily an inquiry as to where the water was coming from. I think most R29 owners believe that rain water and or water from a hose during boat washing runs via gravity either over the side and/or into the cockpit and then into a drain hole and out of the boat through a thru hole fitting. In other words, rain water does not go into the bilge. The dealer representative confirmed the same. On this forum, it seems the respondents believe that the external water eventually reaches the bilge instead. Frankly, this is of concern to me because of a potential problem during a storm, e.g. a hurricane, if the battery eventual loses it's charge and shore power(to charge batteries) is lost. . Even though the boat is on a lift, it could be at risk of flooding of the bilge. Any comments would be appreciated. Thank you. Garry

 

[watson1987]

Thank you everyone for your replies. Yes, I am still trying to determine why the pump apparently does not automatically cycle every 2.5 minutes. As mentioned, it does pump using the dashboard manual switch.. However, my post was primarily an inquiry as to where the water was coming from. I think most R29 owners believe that rain water and or water from a hose during boat washing runs via gravity either over the side and/or into the cockpit and then into a drain hole and out of the boat through a thru hole fitting. In other words, rain water does not go into the bilge. The dealer representative confirmed the same. On this forum, it seems the respondents believe that the external water eventually reaches the bilge instead. Frankly, this is of concern to me because of a potential problem during a storm, e.g. a hurricane, if the battery eventual loses it's charge and shore power(to charge batteries) is lost. . Even though the boat is on a lift, it could be at risk of flooding of the bilge. Any comments would be appreciated. Thank you. Garry

Mine failed last year as well - I made a post about it here - https://www.tugnuts.com/threads/bilge-pump-and-alarm-sensor-failure.22005/

It then failed again over the winter

I guess I'm glad we have 2 pumps but also make sure your alarm sensor/trigger is working as well, because if it also failed like mine then it doesn't matter there is a backup

 

[it4llc]

My Rule automatic bilge pump stopped on the auto-cycle (within a year or so of buying the boat new) and I replaced it with the same. It stopped again, but instead of replacing it, I cleaned the pump and cleaned the bilge and it started working again. I will occasionally put a decent amount of water into the bilge with a hose to help keep it clean and so far it has been fine.

 

[Jcat2010]

Regarding rainwater into bilge, it's totally possible. Normally, deck water should run into the scuppers, and out the stern. However, on many of the ranger tugs, the scupper outlet is right at the waterline. This allows barnacles and other fouling to clog the flapper so the scuppers back up. Once the scuppers back up, the water can flow through any gaps in the floor hatches(like if the latches are not tight, or the gaskets are worn).

I clean the flappers and scuppers every couple of weeks, and keep the latches adjusted so the hatched are tight against the gaskets.

Boats collect water, it's just a fact of boats. Could be coming in other leak paths. I also close all the stopcocks when not on the boat.

Bilge stays pretty dry.