28 TE New Bilge Pump Relocated

[Chris & Dale]

I just wanted to share the final resolution to my bilge pump being located lower and forward of the original platform. With the A/C condensation drainage now easily coming back to the bilge I built a small Z bracket out of 1/8" x 2" wide S/S sheet. Take a 16" piece, bend the 1st angle to fit on the platform 4" long, come down 1 1/2" to the bottom of the bilge, and then out forward 10". I used the new Rule Auto 750 gph that has the red test button at the opposite end of the discharge. It works fantastic and when finished pumping the bilge area under the pilot house is DRY! So in the end, it appears my water is condensation, clean and regular.

[Nancy]

Chris,

That looks great! And easy with a steel fabricator as a spouse. Care to share the model number on that pump?

Nancy

[Chris & Dale]

Rule Mate 750 marine bilge w/water sensing technology so no float switch to worry about. New, so no idea of longevity, but it does have a 3 year warranty.

[Nancy]

Thank you!

[saltshaker28]

what did you pipe the discharge to?

[Chris & Dale]

It's overboard thru-hull on the starboard side. I didn't change it, just added a section of hose to reach the new location.

[RobS]

Some of us have added a 2nd pump, low in the deepest part of the fwd bilge like he has but also still have a larger pump on the platform. This is when the discharge becomes an issue. Either plumb it into an open port on the shower pump or abandon the shower pump and use its discharge.

[N4QC]

A clarification of the use of the new Rule-Mate bilge pumps: The tech spec shows an “on” condition when the water level reaches 2.75 inches. The “off” condition is achieved at .5 inches. This indicates that the bilge will not become completely dry.

The release of base/screen/plate of the pump, for me, requires the use of two hands and the rocking of the main housing from its base while pushing in on the release tabs. Thus the accessibility to the pump for maintenance purposes needs to be taken into consideration.

I would also be concerned that the main housing and the base plate when locked in by the holding tabs still allows for movement between the two units. Suspect that the wear and tear from the movement of the vessel and the on/off action of the pump may cause excessive wear to the base/screen/plate.

If the vessel doesn’t have a shower sump pump, as suggested by RobS, then for A/C condensate purposes perhaps a sump box (plastic box) can be fitted with the Rule-Mate pump and plumbed accordingly.

Don’t get rid of the regular bilge pumps(s)...

Stay dry,

[Chris & Dale]

Just FYI. I didn't get rid of the regular pump, I just moved it lower to reduce (not eliminate) water in the bilge and it is working great. I can actually use one hand to release the pump from base, but only just, so it may take 2 hands for some. I do have the shower sump, but that pump is also not operating, and is on the short list for repair right after installation of the windlass. If the house/base start to wear and impact performance, it does come w/a 3 year warranty. Thanks to all for your insights which are invaluable.