[C320-list] Does your bilge pump suck

[Richard Walker]

A request 

Where do you store the useless stern seat?


Dick Walker
619.985.8105

> On Apr 17, 2024, at 19:22, ART HARDEN via C320-list <c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> wrote:
> 
> Several thoughts here:
> 
> First check and make sure you have a shower/bilge pump and not a fresh water pump.  
> 
> Next check the hose pump connection.  If you using the ribbed hose, it may have a vacuum leak. Replace the ribbed hose with a vinyl reinforced hose and see if it works. If so you had a vacuum leak.
> 
> Last check the down stream flow and make sure it is running free.  Do ‘t just blow through it as air can pass when water can’t. I had an issue with the shower and after buying two new pumps, I found a down stream check valve clogged with hair.
> 
> Just thoughts.
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> Art Harden
> Catalina 320 "Tortuga" E-62
> 937.885.9380 (o)
> 937.477.5544 (m)
> 
>> On Apr 17, 2024, at 4:44 PM, Chuck Mueller via C320-list <c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> wrote:
>> 
>> HI Dennis
>> I think that you are using a pump designed for fresh water, not bilge duty.  Either use a centrifugal pump that sits in the bilge or a diaphragm pump that can go under the setee.  The nice thing about diaphragm pumps is that you don’t need a check valve.  My boat had the original equipment Jabsco diaphragm pump and I replaced it with a Johnson centrifugal pump.
>> 
>> Chuck Mueller
>> Northwind #676
>> Holland, MI
>> 
>> Message: 1
>> Date: Wed, 17 Apr 2024 18:58:08 +0100
>> From: Dennis Cookson <dennis at cooksons.net>
>> To: C320-List at catalina320.com
>> Subject: [C320-list] Does Your Bilge Pump Suck?
>> Message-ID: <5F456949-D299-4FD9-BB9A-79818E2F3E31 at cooksons.net>
>> Content-Type: text/plain;    charset=utf-8
>> 
>> For the last few years my Jabsco electric bilge pump has worked invisibly and reliably, and I haven?t had to think about it. However, I had to change it recently when it finally gave up the ghost. I replaced it with a new Jabsco Par-Max4 Model 31705-0092 which is advertised as self-priming up to 2.5m, and comes complete with a Jabsco ?Pump Gard? inline strainer. I tested it at home with a bucket of water and it emptied it in no time. But once installed in the boat, although it has worked a couple of times, I cannot seem to get this pump to self-prime even though it is mounted only a foot or so above the bilges, in the port locker. I replaced the inlet hose, changed the filter, and even disconnected the outlet flow but it still refuses to suck. The electrics seem fine and it sounds ok, but it only functions properly when full of water and not air.  
>> 
>> Finally I returned this pump as faulty and got a replacement from the supplier. Again it worked at home, but not in the boat.  I?m on a swinging mooring and need to trust my bilge pump to operate automatically via the float switch. Right now I can?t leave it on the auto setting or it could flatten the battery/burn out before my next visit.   I note that the outlet hose from this pump connects to the rear of the manual bilge pump in the cockpit. That could provide some additional load, but the electric pump doesn?t reliably prime even when its outlet hose is disconnected.  What am I missing?
>> 
>> I?d be interested to learn which pump models other owners have found to be reliable self-primers.
>> 
>> Dennis Cookson
>> ?Catalina? 0577
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> End of C320-list Digest, Vol 4628, Issue 1
>> ******************************************
>>