Because they are not available in paddling stores. I went through a lot of trouble and trial/error to install my Rule500. I do not think that the average American is willing to do any experimentation in his/her nice looking fiberglass boat. If anyone comes out with an electric bilge pump than can be installed in *any* kayak within minutes, and has leak proof battery compartments where the batteries can be replaced easily (alkaline batteries), he/she would win the American market. For starters, installing the pump, the outlet fitting with hose, and the waterproof switch is trivial. All this items are readily available at any marine supply store. But the problem is in the batteries. There are very few batteries that can be immersed, and those are heavy and expensive. Then, figuring out a way to charge the batteries while keeping the contacts from corroding is an even bigger challenge. I chose to use two 6V dry lantern batteries inside a tupperware food storage box, which is quite water tight. I made a hole through which I pass the cables, and sealed it with aquaseal (goop glue also works). The battery box goes under the aft float bag. With such an arrangement, I can empty a whole boat without bulkheads about 8 times in a row. - Julio > > I most certainly respect your observations and experience and consequently > I would ask of you, that in light of Laurie Ford's experiences as well > as yours, why is it that an electric bilge pump fails to find popularity > amongst North American Kayakers as it does in Australia, New Zealand and > Tasmania? > > *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************Received on Thu Feb 04 1999 - 09:12:40 PST
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