[C320-list] Bilge Pump Question

[John Frost]

I have always heard it is not good to have a check valve in the bilge hose
because it increases the chance of blockage at just the wrong time.
There are two ways I have seen to minimize the "backwash" problem. 

One is to mount a second very small pump with its float lower than the main
pump's. Use a similarly small outlet hose to the overboard dump. The smaller
hose will hold much less water to "backwash" and the big pump and hose is
still there when needed. I guess you could safely put a check valve in the
small line since the big one is there if needed.

The other is to trigger your existing pump with one of the electronic (no
float) sensors that run the pump for a few second after the bilge is empty.
It is not long enough to damage the pump, but it does tend to blow the
remaining water out of the hose.

John Frost
2007 C320 MKII, Hull # 1118 
Lake Guntersville, AL


-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Robert
Seastream
Sent: Friday, February 13, 2009 3:35 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Bilge Pump Question

Mine backwashes as well, although I wouldn't say it 'refills' the  
bilge. There's about 4-6 feet of hose on an uphill run from the bilge  
to the pump (located under the port settee on my boat), so what's in  
that run is what drains back into the bilge.  There's no check valve  
I'm aware of.

You might consider replacing the OEM pump with an 'automatic' pump  
(Rule has one) that has no float switch and mounts directly in the  
bilge (minimizing backwash by eliminating the bilge to pump hose  
run).  They work by performing 'check runs' every few minutes; if the  
impeller senses resistance (water) the pump continues to run and pump  
out the bilge.  No impeller resistance means no water, so the pump  
shuts off within a couple seconds.  The Rule pump I bought and refer  
to is rated at 500 gph, draws 1.9 Amps, and is much quieter than the  
OEM pump.  WM has it for ~$60, Defender has it for (+ shipping) ~$46.


Bob Seastream
Intuition # 906



On Feb 13, 2009, at 3:49 PM, warren updike wrote:

> Doug, I added a check valve just behind the pump that takes care of  
> the
> problem. It's a simple thing to do. I'll e-mail you a picture.
>
> You have to be sure to pump a gallon or more antifreeze through the  
> bilge
> when winterizing.
>
> The next best thing you can do is to replace the corrugated hose  
> with one
> that has a smooth inside surface. The corrugation adds much friction  
> and
> harbors growth.
>
> Warren & Pattie Updike
> Catalina 320, #62, "Warr De Mar"
> Middle River, Chesapeake Bay
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Doug Stieber [mailto:djstieber at gmail.com]
> Sent: Friday, February 13, 2009 2:08 PM
> To: C320-List at catalina320.com
> Subject: [C320-list] Bilge Pump Question
>
> After my bilge pump cycles, the water backwashes and refills the  
> bilge from
> the intake hose that runs from the pump to the bilge.  Is there a  
> check
> valve in the Jabsco pump itself, or is there a separate check valve  
> in the
> line somewhere?
>
> Thanks for any help.
>
> Doug Stieber
> Second Chance #406
>
>