R21EC 2nd Bilge pump

[Thefb]

We had an exciting trip this halibut season with barely manageable seas coming from all directions at times.
Lots of water over the bow and some over the gunwales. Made me think another bilge pump may not be a bad idea if I continue to boat in the nasty stuff.
The existing single handled the water fine, however if it failed or we were beam to for any length of time I would feel better knowing another was there to help or take over.

Anyone install a second bilge pump in the R21?
If so, where and are you satisfied?

 

[Lil Chug]

Yes ,we have an R21with two bilge pumps as recommended by the dealer . This is a nice back up, if the first pump becomes clogged. The second pump is on a different battery. This was much appreciated when our first pump was clogged and ran continuously .

 

[Capnron]

Lil Chug, I assume you put the second bilge pump on the A/C battery, but where did you physically locate the pump?

 

[SGIDAVE]

Lil Chug, I assume you put the second bilge pump on the A/C battery, but where did you physically locate the pump?

Hey Lil Chug, I, too would like to know the details about your SECOND bilge pump, WHERE mounted, etc.

I've found something from WHALE PUMPS what they call their "IC" system, looks like this:

The pickup, float switch, and backflow preventer are mounted in the bilge while the pump itself is remote. This is an elegant solution, however very Pricey!

I guess one could assemble these parts themselves to accomplish the same end result.

Fair Winds,

/david

 

[Thefb]

I just finished the install of the second pump. I used another Johnson identical to the original, mounted to a piece of 1/4 inch starboard with a Rule float switch. I glued a stainless stud in the bilge in front of the original pump, drilled a hole in the starboard, slid it over the stud and secured with a wing nut.
I added a Groco stainless thru hull to the port side to complete the install. This pump is connected to the house battery through a bilge pump switch mounted in the engine compartment.
I chose a Johnson to match the original to allow common spare cartridge.

Looks and works well.
Marcus

 

[Lil Chug]

That sounds like a great way to mount the pump .But for anyone out there running a second one, put it on a different battery than your primary pump. That way if the first one becomes blocked or stuck on and drains the battery your second one will work.

 

[Speedbump]

We also have installed a second bilge pump.
For commonality, we also used another Johnson and mounted it below the impeller thru hull valve.
The hatch just forward of the engine compartment where you operate the valve.
There are some wires/cables but, below them, the bilge is empty and there is room.
The switch and pump are mounted on an epoxy coated strip of wood leaving space for water to drain by to the lower aft section where the main bilge pump is. I just used an adhesive so it can be remove if needed.
This section of the bilge is higher, and the wood places it another ¾ of an inch ensuring its use as backup to the main pump.
The pump is wired/fused to the Air Conditioner Batteries instead of the house battery.
As we have a disconnected macerator pump (mandated for our waters) and I ran the discharge to that thru hull.
I am slightly uncomfortable with the location being next to the fuse box but the factory installed the head discharge there.
Running the discharge hose from the bilge forward behind the frig was a chore but doable.
Hope this helps, please tell us about your install as I am always looking for better ideas.

 

[fran uteg]

I installed a second Johnson pump below the forward deck hatch which accesses the raw water Kingston valve. I did the mount on a fiberglass panel using a Johnson Low Boy (lays down horizontally) 1000 GPH with a Johnson electronic switch wired to the AC batteries through a 10 amp inline breaker. I connected the water hose to the sink drain with a "Y" fitting and an anti-siphon elevated loop under the sink. It works very well and can be readily tested by reaching down and placing two fingers on the pads of the Johnson electronic switch. I placed the pump facing forward in the event that the pump motor module should ever have to be replaced. Hope this has been of some help ........ Fran Uteg R21EC Reflections 😀