[C320-list] Bilge pump cycling excessively

[pat reynolds]

I have the older PSS.  Burping is no problem and I would rather have that option.  The problems I see are the bellows which could sink the boat if it gives way.  While they recommend changing every 6 years mine is much older than that and the rep said they should have long lives as long as you don't expose them to solvents or spilled fuel.  The other problem I have encountered is the steel collar sliding forward.  When this happens you get a lot of water.  I have put a zinc in front of the collar to prevent it slipping.

--- On Thu, 7/15/10, Jerry Clayton <jsea at prodigy.net> wrote:

> From: Jerry Clayton <jsea at prodigy.net>
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Bilge pump cycling excessively
> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
> Date: Thursday, July 15, 2010, 8:10 PM
> I had GFO packing installed 3 years
> ago and have been happy with it. Dry bilge, not expensive,
> and it lasts, over 3 years and 300 engine hours and
> counting. Would highly recommend it.
> 
> Regards,
> 
> Jerry Clayton
> #988
> Marina Del Rey, Ca
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Fred LEcuyer" <fred.lecuyer at live.com>
> To: "Catalina320list Catalina320list" <c320-list at catalina320.com>
> Sent: Thursday, July 15, 2010 3:48 PM
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Bilge pump cycling excessively
> 
> 
> 
> OK, thanks for the input, everybody. We just put the boat
> in the water a few weeks ago and the stuffing box had just
> been repacked. This past weekend we just finished a five day
> trip and I tightened the stuffing box but maybe not enough.
> I wanted to be sure to keep things cool. I had thought about
> a PSS dripless seal but was talked out of it. Opinions?
> 
> 
> 
> Fred
> 
> > Date: Thu, 15 Jul 2010 15:35:10 -0400
> > From: clburti at gmail.com
> > To: C320-List at catalina320.com
> > Subject: Re: [C320-list] Bilge pump cycling
> excessively
> > 
> > Place a small spacer block or a few washers and longer
> screws to raise the
> > switch. This should eliminate the cycling from the
> lift return flow. I would
> > caution against a check valve as that is potential
> source of problems for
> > both failure and blockage.
> > 
> > On Thu, Jul 15, 2010 at 2:55 PM, Fred LEcuyer <fred.lecuyer at live.com>
> wrote:
> > 
> > >
> > > I'm wondering if anyackone else has seen this and
> has a solution.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Our bilge pump cycles on way too frequently. When
> the pump goes on, it
> > > pumps out all but about 1.5 inches from the
> bottom of the bilge. Then > some
> > > of the water that it pumped leaks back into the
> bilge and as more comes > in
> > > eventually from the stuffing box, the cycle
> starts again. I'm guessing
> > > there's not much more than one pint of water
> before the pump goes on > again.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Does anyone know if there is supposed to be a
> check valve between the > pick
> > > up hose and the bilge pump?
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Fred
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > First Light
> > >
> > > Hull #926
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> _________________________________________________________________
> > > The New Busy is not the too busy. Combine all
> your e-mail accounts with
> > > Hotmail.
> > >
> > > http://www.windowslive.com/campaign/thenewbusy?tile=multiaccount&ocid=PID28326::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WM_HMP:042010_4
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > -- Chris Burti Farmville, NC
> 
> _________________________________________________________________
> The New Busy is not the too busy. Combine all your e-mail
> accounts with Hotmail.
> http://www.windowslive.com/campaign/thenewbusy?tile=multiaccount&ocid=PID28326::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WM_HMP:042010_4=
> 
>