Re: [Paddlewise] electric bilge pump

Below I would like to make a couple of statements to the electric 
bilge pump issue.

> From: JCMARTIN43_at_aol.com
> Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Electrc Bilge Pumps
> 
> Lee wrote, ".....I came across an automatic bilge pump which can turn on
> by itself after sensing a certain level of water.  This sounds like the
> most elegant solution with no switches, wires, etc to deal with.  Anyone
> install something like this in their kayak?"
> 
> I looked at them, Lee, and didn't like the fact that you have to have a
> fair amount in the bilge to have the pump come on at all.  And most check
> for water only once every minute or two or three.  If it's there --- if
> the impeller feels resistance --- they pump until the resistance ends, and
> they go back to their cycle time.  But you still have to have at least a
> half inch of water in the bilge for that to happen.

Hi,
I have an electric bilge bump in my boat for ~3 month now.  It's a 
RULE 500 pump.  I read that you need ~1/2 inch of water in your 
bilge for the automatic pump to start.  What's the problem with 
that? If you install the pump at the deepest point in your cockpit, fill 
your cockpit with water, and pump it out there will be approx. that 
much water be left.  It is impossible to get the cockpit bone dry 
with ANY of the common pump designs!  In my case the pump is 
able to get all but ~200 - 500ml out, then it sucks air. The rest is 
sponge work at the end of the trip.
However, the idea of pumping is anyway to get as much water out 
as you need to get the boat back to stable, and to get your rear 
end out of bathtub feeling.

The problem I see with the mentioned automatic, frequently 
checking pumps is that they quite frequently suck power for 
nothing.  On a normal paddle you will hardly get enough water in 
your cockpit to make it worth to switch the pump on, so you drain 
your battery with unnecessary pump checks.  I am not sure how 
the system works, but if you bail out, you want the pump working 
instantly and I don't know if you have to wait with the automatic 
pump for the next check cycle, or if you can fire it up manually.  

What about a float switch (if you want/need something automatic).

BTW: I am still experimenting with batteries etc.  Right now I use 8 
AA batteries (12V, last for 20 min = 10 total pump outs) and 2 
parallel 9V blocks (30 min, but pump is a bit slower) as backup.  
The whole power supply is in a 500 ml nalgene bottle.  The 
outgoing cables are sealed in with silicone.  The switch is in the 
bottle lid, sealed with rubber, silicone and marine glue.  So far 
everything works fine, and I did a lot of self rescue, roll, reeenty 
training in the last weeks (-lots of water in the cockpit).  Right now I 
am using to sets of batteries.  One fresh set for paddling, the first 
set during my rescue games to find out how long a set lasts.  I am 
still working on the first set.  As soon as I find a plastic container 
with a neck wide enough to get these 6V lantern batteries in I will 
try 2 of those in line for power supply.

Cheers

Ulli


Ulli Hoeger
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Canada

uhoeger_at_is.dal.ca
web://is.dal.ca/~uhoeger/
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