Bilge pump on timer.

[mariner2k]

Has anyone ever put a bilge pump on a timer?
The standard pump with a float switch leaves an unreasonable amount of water in the bilge. I was considering a smaller pump or something with a hose that would reach Normally unreachable areas attached to a timer. It was it would have to be able to run dry as it would not be manned. The idea is to remove as much standing water in the bilge as possible. This would be in addition to the existing pump. Thoughts?

[Dan McCosh]

Running a bilge pump dry isn't a good idea for any length of time, even if it can take it for a while. Also, we don't want the pump to take all the water out of the bilge around here, to prevent sucking oil or other debris and dumping it into the water. Can't quite imagine why the residue from a typical pump would be a problem--particularly one with an automatic built-in water sensor.

[JamesCaird]

The bilge pumps I use these days have load sensors rather than float switches. They are submerged (at least the suction) and cycle on every 5 minutes or so. If they sense a load (moving water) they continue, if not, they shut off. They are cheap, 12v. DC and seem to last a season. Never had one kill a battery. Of course this is for an unattended boat. For bigger problems you have bigger, manually operated pumps or manually switched or clutched.

[Ian McColgin]

Automatic pumps, whether float or load controlled, move about the same amount of water per on then off cycle.
So, install a counter to notice whether the pumping has gone up between checks.

[Breakaway]

The collumn of water inside the discharge hose ( or between the pump and a one-way valve) when the pump shuts off will always run back into the bilge.

[Oldad]

I do same as in #3

[mariner2k]

For sure, the boat does not have a serious leaking problem. Most of the water, for the most part comes after A downpour. The hull is damm near leak proof. But nevertheless, the float switch pump leaves too much water . If possible I would like to get some detail on James message in post number three . I would assume that the pump still has to be below the sensor.
I am curious as to how you have that set up. Thanks
In the meantime I am working on deck leaks.

[Don Z.]

https://aridbilgesystems.com/

[Hugh MacD]

https://aridbilgesystems.com/

Those are cool, but OUCH!

[lupussonic]

Ultima bilge switches.

Just sounds like to need to reposition your switch.

[Garret]

The FO of my boat had a diaphragm pump (a diaphragm pump can be run dry) that he'd run every so often to get the bilges bone dry. I'm a bit less fanatic & can handle 1.5" of water at the lowest point - which means 2 frame bays have water in them, the rest are dry. My pump has a built in check valve, so the backflow when the pump stops is a few tablespoons.

ETA: the arid pumps are crazy 'spensive!

[Dan McCosh]

The bilge pumps I use these days have load sensors rather than float switches. They are submerged (at least the suction) and cycle on every 5 minutes or so. If they sense a load (moving water) they continue, if not, they shut off. They are cheap, 12v. DC and seem to last a season. Never had one kill a battery. Of course this is for an unattended boat. For bigger problems you have bigger, manually operated pumps or manually switched or clutched.

I tried one once. Problem is that it was located under the bunk where we sleep. When it cycled, it sounded as if someone had flushed a toilet under the bunk.

[jpatrick]

Steal the Arid Bilge idea: Get an inexpensive wet/dry vac from the big box store near you. Hook it up to a timer. Put it someplace near the bilge low spot and clamp/wire/duct tape the pickup into the bilge. Plug it in let it run. The timer won't let it run all the time but that's not a drastic problem for a vac anyway.

Jeff

[Slacko]

I installed a switch that is proximity switches rather than a float.
It switches off at much lower level of liquid, and doesn't detect fuel or oil.
I've had it installed for 10 years now with no issues.
A quick search brought them up.
I got ticked off trying to sleep with an electronic unit that cycled every few minutes as well.

[Garret]

I installed a switch that is proximity switches rather than a float.
It switches off at much lower level of liquid, and doesn't detect fuel or oil.
I've had it installed for 10 years now with no issues.
A quick search brought them up.
I got ticked off trying to sleep with an electronic unit that cycled every few minutes as well.

Like the water witch?

[Slacko]

The switch I have is probably an older version of the "Johnson Ultima Automatic Digital Bilge Switch" if you search it.

[Garret]

Thanks - much the same as the water witch:

https://defender.com/en_us/johnson-u...d=143783458262