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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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electric bilge pump install

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Chief RA
Chief Technical Advisor

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USA
191 Posts

Initially Posted - 12/24/2013 : 11:29:31

Installing an electric bilge pump in 1998 250. Should I run a devoted hose and stern exit or tap into manual pump hose? There is a one way diaphragm installed on bottom of manual bilge pump pickup. Would hope to use existing hose as do not want to put hole in stern! Thanks, Chief

COMPASS ROSE C250WK
Tall Mast, Wing keel
PORT CHIEF, Bodega Bay Ca.
IE,EE,FCC lic #1890

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Chief RA
Chief Technical Advisor

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USA
191 Posts

Response Posted - 12/24/2013 : 14:25:31

Looked through the old posts on this. Seems that both methods are used, so still not sure whether to go with T'ing into the manual pumps hose or not. Any feedback on electric bilge pump efficiency using manual bilge pump hose for both pumps? Chief

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britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 12/24/2013 : 17:00:33

I added a new thru hull in JD. I was worried that if the manual pump failed due to leakage at the pump, then a T'd in electric bilge pump would just recirculate the water

Paul

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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 12/24/2013 : 17:28:31

Same with me, I'd rather have the extra hole than depend on a valve that could fail. [url="http://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/forum/topic.asp?ARCHIVE=true&TOPIC_ID=18016&SearchTerms=bilge,pump"]Here's how I did it[/url].

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Chief RA
Chief Technical Advisor

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USA
191 Posts

Response Posted - 12/24/2013 : 21:14:46

Thanks David & Paul. Thats what I needed to hear. I want what is not a compromise even if more work and cost.
Got lots of goodies from Santa. 2 ea. 7" s.s.led cabin lights, 2 stainless rod holders, s.s. solar vent, bilge pump, 500 watt marine inverter, and 2 LED reading lights! That Santa is cool!
I appreciate you guys coming online and helping me.

My holiday best, Chief

Edited by - Chief RA on 12/24/2013 21:24:21

hewebb
Admiral

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USA
761 Posts

Response Posted - 12/25/2013 : 04:35:03

When I installed a automatic bilge pump I ran a dedicated line into the cockpit. I did that so I would know if it came on while underway. My thought was that it would let me know if I had a problem I needed to address. Turned out to be a good thing. I rarely check the bilge.

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TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Response Posted - 12/25/2013 : 07:38:59

A "T" into the existing line is a bad thing, because you could recirculate back into the bilge. Instead, I removed the strainer from the end of the hose and put the automatic pump there. It pushes water right through the Whale pump. Scroll down in [url="http://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/forum/topic.asp?ARCHIVE=true&TOPIC_ID=21340"]this thread[/url] to see my description, along with performance data. Note that both flapper valves in a diapragm pump (like the Whale pump) open in the outward direction, so there's no problem pushing water through it. The automatic pump acts as a strainer for the manual pump if you choose to pump manually.

Edited by - TakeFive on 12/25/2013 07:44:19

Chief RA
Chief Technical Advisor

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USA
191 Posts

Response Posted - 12/25/2013 : 08:27:49

Rick: Thats exactly what I want for my boat! Of course you probably realized all those questions were flying through my ol' engineer mind too. Now you saved me doing all that testing! Your the best! Did you check out my Santa goodies I got? Leaving Saturday with RV for winter in Arizona, fishing the Colorado river. Chief

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TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Response Posted - 12/25/2013 : 13:41:09

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Chief RA
 Rick: Thats exactly what I want for my boat! Of course you probably realized all those questions were flying through my ol' engineer mind too. Now you saved me doing all that testing! Your the best! Did you check out my Santa goodies I got? Leaving Saturday with RV for winter in Arizona, fishing the Colorado river. Chief
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Quick, clean, and fast. Do recognize, though, that you lose some redundancy. It's important to inspect the flexible rubber bladder on the Whale pump. If it cracks, you will pump back in the bilge. Also be sure your float switch has enough hysteresis to avoid turning back on when the dead volume of the hose drains back in the bilge.

Here's a pic of my install. Looking forward. Used biggest auto pump that would fit tn the space (sorry, can't resize on my phone):

Edited by - TakeFive on 12/25/2013 13:52:24

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 12/25/2013 : 15:23:23

One caution I would consider in your install. Because of the relatively low interior volume of our boats, you want the ability to pump as much water as you possibly can. That's why I installed a 2000 GPH pump (and since your boat is only a year younger than mine, may well fit yours as well). I did a lot of measuring to make sure the Rule 2000 would fit, and it just barely does with maybe a 1/4" clearance from the bilge cover boards using the mounting method I came up with. Of course it's all a matter of time, if you have a large enough leak, you're going to sink eventually because your battery is going to die. Conversely, a larger pump will use more amps, so your battery will die sooner. The point is to continue to get enough water out of the boat to keep you afloat long enough to effect a repair, get in shallow enough water to intentionally ground, or for rescue to arrive (hopefully with a P-250 pump on board).

I opted for the ability to pump from both the manual and electric pumps at the same time (through different discharge hoses).

I figure I can leave Rita up on deck with the manual pump, while I'm either working on a fix, or simply bailing with a five gallon bucket into the cockpit.

Here's the [url="http://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/forum/topic.asp?ARCHIVE=true&TOPIC_ID=17901&whichpage=1"]thread that prompted our install[/url], thanks to Paul and several others.

Edited by - delliottg on 12/25/2013 15:40:05

Chief RA
Chief Technical Advisor

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USA
191 Posts

Response Posted - 12/25/2013 : 20:44:37

Thanks everyone, I'll get 'er done in the spring. Right now we're getting stuff together to head out for Arizona. Merry Christmas! Chief

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