Low Profile Bilge Pump

aero3113

Anyone ever see this bilge pump? I’m thinking about installing it at the lowest point in the bilge at the drain plug. The original will be a backup if this one ever fails. I can use a “Y” adapter and plumb it into the existing hose. Thoughts?

https://www.whalepumps.com/marine/product.aspx?Category_ID=&Product_ID=10002&FriendlyID=Supersub-Smart-Low-Profile-Automatic-Bilge-Pumps

”Y” adapter

https://www.go2marine.com/Rule-Pump-Adapters?gclid=Cj0KCQjwma6TBhDIARIsAOKuANwD2zzLVU2Mo7kpqkj8fvCGDidWZt203x3YEqrGNGw4CjXQ5q0_HMwaAoBzEALw_wcB

aero3113

Been looking at reviews on it and they aren’t the best……

YYZRC

I have a diaphragm pump with a hose that goes right into the garbord plug area to get that last bit of water out. Works perfect. 

davidbrooks

I just use a small 2 1/2 gal shop vac.  The problem is that last bit of water also has other junk in it that would likely clog up the pump.  I actually just replaced my bilge pump.  One item i was going back and forth on was a fully automatic pump vs one with an attached float switch. I decided to go with the float switch.  The automatic ones turn on every two minutes to check for water and it gets a little annoying and it uses up battery.  The float does allow more water to build up but it will still work off of a switch manually at the helm.  I was also able to move mine back a little and get it to pick up more.  i also bumped up the size.  I went from 950 gpm to 1500gpm.  In this case bigger is definitely better.  Water shoots out the side now about 4ft.

aero3113

YYZRC said:

I have a diaphragm pump with a hose that goes right into the garbord plug area to get that last bit of water out. Works perfect. 

I remember you installing that. I would like to have something that’s automatic. I like the idea of having 2 pumps incase one fails.

YYZRC

Yeah the diaphragm pump doesn’t move much water. 

J3ff

Have used this one for a year or so, has been great having a super dry bilge.. https://www.amazon.com/SEAFLO-Dry-Bilge-System/dp/B07V4G41K4

davidbrooks

What blows me away is just how much water goes into the bilge from rain.  I am on a lift.  Can leave a boat that is perfectly dry and come back to one with 20 gal of water in it.

aero3113

YYZRC said:

I have a diaphragm pump with a hose that goes right into the garbord plug area to get that last bit of water out. Works perfect. 

You ever think about adding a 12V timer to it? Would make it automatic. 

YYZRC

I bought one last year and didn’t install because my bilge was rarely wet! I solved virtually all of the leaks in the various fittings plus canvas. Worst offender was the fresh water hook up. 

skennelly

I also installed a diaphram pump and plumbed it to the sink drain.  I have it wired to the bilge pump so they both run at the same time.  Just to keep the bilge as dry as possible.  I love it.

aero3113

I think I’m finally going to get around to installing a second pump in the bilge. What size is the discharge hose on our Rinkers? Is it 3/4? I’m going to use a “Y” adapter to tie into the existing hose.

aero3113

Pump

https://a.co/d/clSNeWf

Adapter

https://a.co/d/eeV6dc3

YYZRC

@aero3113 wouldn’t the y cause some water to backflow to the other pump? I guess you are planning a high loop in the hose?

aero3113

@YYZRC I could put a high loop but the amount of water that would back flow would back flow even if I only had the one pump so doesn’t really matter. Both pumps are in the same bay the new one will be installed at the transom.

aero3113

It’s probably smarter to just drill the hole and have two separate systems. 

Formulaben

@aero3113 I too saw the mixed reviews/ratings on that pump but took a chance since I like how it fits down low.  I wanted a 2nd pump in the bilge anyway so it wasn't completely critical that it function perfectly.  Although it's only been one full season, it's performed flawlessly so far and was great for getting the water out from the low point due to my leaking hot water heater. 

aero3113

Waiting on the hose but will be wiring her up today. Looks like a perfect pump for the location. It will be nice to know that the boat has 2 bilge pumps installed.

YYZRC

@aero3113 you might consider putting an ABS or PVC tube from the garbord into the bilge area and then filling the half moon so that the transom wood is sealed off. I wanted to do that this spring after letting the transom dry all winter but didn’t get a chance. 

YYZRC

This is what was recommended to me for the job - I have used it before and it is easy to work with. 

System Three QuikFair Epoxy Fairing Putty

LaRea

Don’t wire both pumps to the same battery. 

aero3113

All, done. I have it tapped into the port trim pump. I’m pretty sure it’s not on the same battery as the stock pump, definitely not the same circuit. I also used a molex connector so I can unplug it when I want to fill and clean the bilge since I don’t have it wired to a switch. The wiring I used had a 15 amp fuse with a water tight holder, is 15 amp too much or is that good? I don’t see anything in the instructions stating the size fuse to use. The automatic feature is really cool, it comes on every 2.5 minutes for a second to sense any water.

LaRea

Longer explanation now that I'm at my computer.  If you're taking on water and you don't have a charger or alternators charging the batteries, you can double your run time by putting the pumps on different batteries.  

I've never had multiple pumps before, but that's how my current boat is wired.  Each bilge has two pumps -- one on the house bank and one on the port starter.  

aero3113

Since this low profile pump is going to be used in automatic mode, I don’t want to have it hooked up to a starting battery. I know it will take a long time to discharge the battery but it cycles every 2.5 minutes. I’m thinking, if I’m at anchor all day and don’t start or run the generator? 

aero3113

I can set it to turn on if it senses water at 1.3” instead of automatic but I think I like the auto option. 

aero3113

Have the hose attached, just barely enough room for the 2 1-1/8 hoses to fit through the bulkhead! 

aero3113

Next, I should lower the high water alarm float. I never understood why Rinker has it mounted so high. I think at the level they have it at, the starters would be in the water before it sets the alarm off.

aero3113

I did a little test.
I filled the bilge with water and bilge cleaner last night. I wanted to see how high the water goes with the stock bilge pump. The water can go all the way to the top of where the garboard plug opening is, that’s pretty high and I would say well over 5 gallon, maybe close to 10. I plugged in the low profile pump and there maybe a half gallon left behind. First and second pic is with the stock pump, third is with the low profile pump being used. I’m not too happy yet with the bilge cleaner. It looks like it loosened up some grease but it also left it behind on the transom and bulkheads. Maybe I’ll have to do it a couple of times to get her cleaned up. Also, maybe make a run with the cleaner to let it slosh around.

Spyderweb

@aero3113 I keep a toilet brush (for bilge use only) in the ER to slosh around those areas where the grease settles before pumping out.  Helps me stay ahead of any buildup.

aero3113

I have one in the garage that I use also. I should’ve brought it with me. I’ll have to use it next time.