Bilge pump keeps cycling

[rebuckley]

My lowest bilge pump in the boat sits just in front of my engine in the little bilge pump hole on an Albin 36 classic. The issue I'm running into is that the water in that little hole that the bilge pump sits in, it's just enough for the pump to push it up and barely get it to the through hull. So the pump will cycle push the water up, stop And over time the water slowly leaks back in until the pump cycle's on again. this will typically occur a good 15 or 20 times at least as the pump pushes a few drops of water over the hump every time and eventually the water coming back is low enough not to kick on the pump again. There is a joker valve to prevent the water from coming back but obviously it's not sealing 100%. Any suggestions would be more than welcome I'm racking my brain trying to figure out how to fix this system.

[jashmen]

I am guessing it has a built in switch. You might need to switch to one with a separate float switch.

[nebulatech]

If you have some extra hose and a place to route it, perhaps add a siphon break somewhere mid-elevation. I would bet you don't have to stop all of the water from flowing back, just half or less.

[rcwhite]

There are a number of ways to address this. Sometimes you can just move the float, pump or both. Another option is to install a switch with a timer that keeps the pump running for a few seconds after it would normally shut down (Whale has one). I have noticed that the electronic switches don’t always shut down after being in saltwater so a timer relay with a float is another option if you are getting seawater in the bilge.

[rebuckley]

So I think (think) I have a solution. I am resetting the pump this year - and under it I am adding a pick-up for the "Dry-Bilge system (like the one on Panbo's website) with a run dry pump on a timer - it should allow me to drain out the last 1/4 inch of water and maintain a bone dry bilge. I will come back with pics and results as I build it out.

[GSSeattle]

So I think (think) I have a solution. I am resetting the pump this year - and under it I am adding a pick-up for the "Dry-Bilge system (like the one on Panbo's website) with a run dry pump on a timer - it should allow me to drain out the last 1/4 inch of water and maintain a bone dry bilge. I will come back with pics and results as I build it out.

DIY Dry Bilge system like in Panbo works great for me. Install pics in the thread below:
http://www.albinowners.net/aog/viewtopi ... 6&start=15

[jleonard]

Another solution would be to install a diaphragm style bilge pump. I did that on my old Mainship I to solve that problem.
The diaphragm acts as a check valve so water doesn't flow back into the bilge.

[rebuckley]

DIY Dry Bilge system like in Panbo works great for me. Install pics in the thread below:
http://www.albinowners.net/aog/viewtopi ... 6&start=15

I like the hypervent idea - i was also thinking the sponge would eventually become a gelatinous mess.