28TE Forward Bilge Residual Water

[nebulatech]

I plan on installing similar to Sisu22. I'll be adding a small diaphragm pump, pickup tube, and in-line filter in the low spot under the dinette. Depending on how hard it is to run the discharge hose, I'd like to have it go through a vented loop and then tee into the head sink drain. If access is too difficult, then I'll dump it into the shower sump instead. Since diaphragm pumps can run dry, I'll put mine on a 12v timer mounted under the head sink, tapped into the 'always on' power feed on the back of the bilge pump switch panel and have it run a few min / day.

Similar solutions detailed here:
https://lifeempirically.com/2018/03/12/ ... ge-system/
https://www.panbo.com/a-dry-bilge-for-50/

Thanks for sharing this! I had thought about using a relay and a timer. I had never considered metering the amp draw. Just wonderful!

[GSSeattle]

Installation was a success, except the 12v timer I got was a dud. Need to order a new one.

20201031_143622.jpg

I had some old starboard laying around, so built a mount for the 3/8 hose barb pickup

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I also had some leftover HyperVent material (that you place under cushions to keep moisture out). I didn't like the idea of using a sponge that could deteriorate. This seemed like a good pre-filter to keep any debris out, and easy to pull off and clean if need be.

20201101_092611.jpg

All mounted. There is a ton of space under the table. I may add a check valve later, but water doesn't seem to flow back through the pump.

20201101_093752.jpg

Test run (manual since the timer wasn't working) pulled all but about 1/4" of water out. Very happy with the results! I'd say it took about a minute to pull out the 2+ gallons the fwd bilge pump doesn't get. For the discharge, I ran a vented loop inside the head cabinet, and then tee'd into the head sink drain. Now back to Amazon to find a timer that actually works...

[Pitou]

Greg, thanks for the follow up post. You've motivated me and I'm going to try the sponge route to compare. Unfortunately this will be an off season winter project, so I won't have the results until spring!

[GSSeattle]

Greg, thanks for the follow up post. You've motivated me and I'm going to try the sponge route to compare. Unfortunately this will be an off season winter project, so I won't have the results until spring!

Pitou - let me know how the sponge works in the spring! It will be easy to change mine over if the results are superior.

[nebulatech]

https://vetco.net/products/programmable ... tgQAvD_BwE

This timer might work. Similar to what we used in the alarm business 20 years ago. It comes in 12vdc, 10 amps. If that's not enough, you may need a standalone relay. I would probably slather the circuit board with hot glue to prevent corrosion.

[GSSeattle]

https://vetco.net/products/programmable ... tgQAvD_BwE

This timer might work. Similar to what we used in the alarm business 20 years ago. It comes in 12vdc, 10 amps. If that's not enough, you may need a standalone relay. I would probably slather the circuit board with hot glue to prevent corrosion.

Thanks! Turns out my cheap timer from Amazon does work. Operator error - I needed to add a jumper from the positive 12v input that powers the switch to the actual switched circuit side of the switch. Instructions that came with the timer were extremely lacking, but amazon reviews had the correct wiring diagram. Timer is rated for 16 amps, and the pump is only supposed to draw a little over 4 at full load.

[nebulatech]

Perfect!