Help please with bilge pumps

[RogerandJoanne]

Hi, I think I initially put this under General Discussion before I realized there is an Albin Maintenance forum - sorry - learning the website - Can anyone help us. We have a 2003 28 TE. The mid-bilge pump light on the panel comes on but I can't hear a pump running nor do I have any idea where to locate it. I just purchased this boat and am trying to familiarize myself with everything. The forward and aft-pumps have floats and work fine. I just can't find the mid-pump or float. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. I also had a 1999 Albin with a blower and I cannot seem to locate one on this 2003 model, although there is a switch on the panel (that doesn't work). Thanks in advance for any assistance. Roger

[RobS]

On an engine box model the center pump is a remote mounted diaphram pump. Its mounted on the platform under the staboard helm aft of the water heater and next to the waste holding tank. Not sure if the sames goes for the FDeck models..

[jcollins]

Hi Roger,
Thanks for becoming a supporting member on your first post!
I have 3 switches as well. Rob pointed out the location of the mid pump. That's my bottom switch. The top switch is the forward pump. The middle switch on mine is connected to nothing. (although it does light up)
Blower - The first time I started my engine I asked where the blower switch is?? I was told "it's a diesel, you don't need one"

[DougSea]

Blower - The first time I started my engine I asked where the blower switch is?? I was told "it's a diesel, you don't need one"

Just as an aside - my 28 didn't have a blower but the 35 does. I use it when I shutdown on hot days to get some of the extra engine heat out from under the salon.

[Tobermory]

I have a 2004 flushdeck 28 and the mid pump is located immediately behind the house batteries under the large cockpit hatch. When sitting in the helm seat it is impossible to hear with or without the engine running but I have tested it at the dock with a hose and it works. It discharges through the starboard side through one of the three outlets at about the end of the cabin.

[RogerandJoanne]

Guys - thanks for the help - this is a great resource for us and I appreciate your help! Rog & Jo

[Serenity]

On my 98 28 raised hatch, my mid-ship bilge pump was mounted underneath the battery shelf. They wired the automatic lead directly to the battery and the manual lead was cut. The pump was shot and I replaced the pump with an auto unit. I wired the auto wire directly to the battery and the manual lead to the blower toggle switch. I don't have a blower either.

[Rx-scape]

The Albins can have many configurations mine has 3 bilge pumps on panel all work, the stern is a electric conductivity switch, will some times not turn off until contacts are cleaned of salt, middle pump is on a shelf at the fuel tank, behind the engine, the front is on the shelf with a float switch, leaves the water in the bow as is mounted on the shelf. I have no idea how to work on the middle if needed with out pulling the engine.
I also have the manual pump a gusher which will pump a lot of water and have only used it when washing out the boat just to make sure it is working. I am going to run the hose forward to get to the water left in the bow and was suggested in another thread.

Lee Rx-Scape

[Pitou]

The Albins can have many configurations mine has 3 bilge pumps on panel all work, the stern is a electric conductivity switch, will some times not turn off until contacts are cleaned of salt, middle pump is on a shelf at the fuel tank, behind the engine, the front is on the shelf with a float switch, leaves the water in the bow as is mounted on the shelf. I have no idea how to work on the middle if needed with out pulling the engine. I also have the manual pump a gusher which will pump a lot of water and have only used it when washing out the boat just to make sure it is working. I am going to run the hose forward to get to the water left in the bow and was suggested in another thread.

Lee Rx-Scape

A similar discussion recently took place regarding replacing the dripless shaft seal. The same method holds true to maintain the pump strainer on the small shelf adhered in the bilge forward of the fuel tank. You need someone who is not afraid to crawl into small spaces and be sure to have a second person aboard to haul him out by his feet if necessary. I've found that I can get myself completely inside and under the starboard hatch if needed. (Engine Box Model)

I've been on a mission to replace the original black plastic corrugated bilge hoses with smooth xhd clear hose w/black helix and have done the one headed to this mid pump strainer ....

perko pump strainer.jpg

.... not easy, but doable. I found the strainer mounting board loose and in need of being rebedded, the strainer completely clogged with debris, which explains why this pump never discharged more than a dribble out of the thru-hull. The strainer is mounted simply with a zip tie around the bilge hose that accepts a screw for mounting to the shelf. The feet on the strainer needed to be bent back for the screen to slide out to remove all of the debris / crud. It's now pumping full steam!

Most things can be gotten to, it's just not very inviting. This is a project for a cool day!

[RogerandJoanne]

Thank you all so much for the information! We really appreciate it and were able to locate and fix the problem. Many thanks to all of you. Joanne