Bilge Pump

[jab64]

I'm sure this question is asked a lot, but when we bought our 21-EC from another boater he had an inexpensive bilge pump installed. This works fine until it doesn't work at all. I have read that the pump in questions is only good for about 1 season.
I was wanting to install something that is more dependable as we keep our boat on the water and uncovered during the summer and I worry every time I look at the radar. If anyone has any ideas please let me know.

 

[harry ames]

my 21 has a rule 1100 gph pump that sits in a permanent clip installed deep in the bilge. I've had many rule pumps, and the only failure I've had was due to crap getting into and jamming the pump blades. That was my fault as the pump and screen should be checked several times per season.

My particular pump starts every 2.5 minutes 24/7. Rule thinks that is a pretty good way to assure that water gets pumped immediately in a brainless and reliable way to save your boat. So, every 2.5 minutes, the pump fires up for about 1 second. If it doesn't feel resistance against the blades, then it shuts down. If it feels resistance, then it continues to pump until there is none. Not a bad way to go, but it can run your battery down over a week if you have no solar or shore power. It can also bother you and the neighbors to hear the thing fire up, even for a second, every 2.5 minutes.

I'll leave it in there but will be adding a second pump that uses a float. Probably rule, as I've had good luck with them. When the boat is unattended, I'll turn off the older pump and only turn it on when I'm on board. I'll leave the second pump on full time as it will only come on when the float lifts indicating water to be pumped. I'll put the second pump and float about 2 inches higher than the older pump.

 

[fran uteg]

Hello jab64
I have a factory installed Johnson 1000 gph with a electronic sensor switch located under the stuffing box but as a safety backup I installed a Johnson "low boy" (horizontal) 1000 gph and electronic sensor switch further forward (under the Kingston valve hatch) which is three inches higher than the rear pump so they don't see the same bilge level. The low boy is wired and fused to the two air conditioning batteries. The forward pump is plumbed with an anti siphon connection through the sink drain. So far the arraingnment seems to be working well ........ Hopes this helps some 😉 Fran