Two questions for the list: Some folks use a battery-powered bilge pump - what do they use for a power source? I'm assuming it is 12v based as the vast majority of small pumps are for 12v systems. Also, any recommendations for small, foot-operated bilge pumps (or hand models easily modified for foot operation)? Thanks, Keith *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
> Also, any recommendations for small, foot-operated bilge > pumps (or hand > models easily modified for foot operation)? http://www.whale-usa.com/marpro/gusher.html http://www.whale-usa.com/marpro/baby.html -- steen - home19.inet.tele.dk/sbo/ --- *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Keith, Coincidentally, the Feb 2003 issue of Seakayaker magazine's Do-It-Yourself column is about retrofitting a kayak with a foot-operated bilge pump. http://www.seakayakermag.com/2003/03Feb/03FebTOC.htm Jim Logan Hudson River Watertrail Association www.hrwa.org *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
From: "Keith Wrage" <keith.wrage_at_charter.net> > Some folks use a battery-powered bilge pump - what do they use for a power > source? Folks seem to choose different solutions. Some use NiCd, others lead acid. You'll need at least 1 Ahr capacity by my reckoning, assuming you'll do repeated pumping during rolling and rescue practice. It doesn't seem to cost a lot more to get 2Ahr if you choose lead acid batteries. You'll only get about half the capacity with lead acid unless you want to shorten the life of the battery - sucking out less than 20% of the capacity results in long life. NiCd can be fully discharged every time (well, down to about 1V - after that they suffer IIRC). My preference is for AGM lead acid - these are completely sealed and are not considered hazmat for transport. Liquid cell and sealed gel cell are considered hazardous, BTW. I use a 5Ahr 12V that I got used from a surplus store for C$5 (a 2kg brick - but I can use it to recharge AA camera/VHF/GPS batteries while on a trip). New, it would be about C$40 locally and I figure the used one will last at least $5 worth of battery life. The reliability of lead acid is high and self discharge rate is low. Some people use NiCd D cells (though many NiCd D cells are C cells in a big case). You'll need a dozen ,s since 12x1.2V = 14.4V, which is about what a 12V battery really puts out freshly charged. As well, when at minimum charge, it will still output 12V. Similarly, you could use AA size NiMH (at 1.6 Ahr, 1.2V; most 2000 mAh aren't) - a dozen would be around C$60 new. These would be small and light, but would have twice the self discharge rate of NiCd. Not suitable for a several month long trip without a solar charger. You'll lose about 30% of the capacity in a month, so I think the self discharge problems are somewhat overstated if you consider a one-two week trip as typical. There are many submersible pumps on the market designed for marine applications. I found some reviews online that show that the ratings are often overblown. They either can't pump as much water as they claim or use more power or both. Atwood and Whale are two that impressed me - Atwood is one of the few that is conservative in rating their pumps. As well, there is a lot of variation in how much power the pumps actually require. My Atwood 625 draws 0.9A in the kayak (measured while unflooding the cockpit) - less that its rating and less than the rating of the smaller Atwood 450! In fact, it has one of the lowest power demands of all the small pumps. If you want to minimize your power requirements (ie want the smallest, lightest battery), it's worthwhile investigating this stuff. I now leave my hand pump at home and keep the minimum legal bailer as a backup. Mike PS - the foot pump in the recent SK article looks good - better than many foot pumps I've looked at in the past. The soft spring and the duckbill valves look like a good choice. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
I recently purchased a self-contained battery powered submersible pump from, of all places, JC Whitney. Haven't ventured out on the water since I got it (It's been COLD here in NH) but will try it out as soon as possible. It's a little bulky, but I've been involved in a couple for-real rescues where it would have been nice to have a hands-free pump which could be passed off to another boat. Takes 3 D-cells and claims to be watertight. Obviously would carry a backup hand pump. Item #: 07ZX7636X Cordless Submersible Pump $29.95 link: <A HREF="http://www.jcwhitney.com/productnoitem.jhtml?CATID=354836&BQ=jcw2">http://www.jcwhitney.com/productnoitem.jhtml?CATID=354836&BQ=jcw2</A> Under Marine>Electrical Don *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
From: <DPEVA_at_aol.com> > Takes 3 D-cells and claims to be watertight. Obviously would carry a backup > hand pump. It has a pretty low capacity (200 gal/hr) compared to the other electric pumps we've discussed. Assuming it actually gets its rated capacity, it only pumps one third of what mine can do (alternately - it will take three times as long to pump out the kayak). While there are some things that make the pump attractive, such as being self contained, waterproof and relatively portable, its low capacity warrants consideration. I'd want to test it out to see if it can deliver enough pumping to make it useful in a realistic situation. It may be good for kayaks with low volume cockpits. Mike *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
DPEVA_at_aol.com wrote:I recently purchased a self-contained battery powered submersible pump from, of all places, JC Whitney. Takes 3 D-cells and claims to be watertight. Item #: 07ZX7636X Cordless Submersible Pump $29.95link://www.jcwhitney.com/productnoitem.jhtml?CATID=354836&BQ=jcw2">http://www.jcwhitney.com/productnoitem.jhtml?CATID=354836&BQ=jcw2</A> I had fitted exactly this pump into a kayak I sold a couple of years ago. It did stand up well to submersion, and was easier than hand pumping during self-rescues, although not as fast. (I practised in moderate surf.) My new kayak has a higher volume cockpit, where the comparative slowness of the electric pump would have been even more of a issue. So, on the theory that prevention is better than cure, I now line the cockpit with a sea sock anytime I feel unplanned wet exits are at all likely. BTW, I'd really encourage folks who've only ever rehearsed the paddlefloat rescue in calm water to try in even moderate (1 to 2 foot) surf. It's a real eye opener - even an inch or two of water sloshing back and forth in the cockpit is incredibly destablizing. And that's the beauty of the sea sock - it not only reduces the amount of water taken on board, but vastly reduces the room and leverage that flooded-in water has to roam about and knock you over. Philip __________________________________________________________________ The NEW Netscape 7.0 browser is now available. Upgrade now! http://channels.netscape.com/ns/browsers/download.jsp Get your own FREE, personal Netscape Mail account today at http://webmail.netscape.com/ *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
A more specific question about foot pump installation: I've got a poly boat with glued-in-place foam bulkheads for and aft. Any ideas for mounting a foot pump to such a beast? It would seem that repetitive pushing pressure on this foam bulkhead could be a very bad thing.... Thanks, Keith *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
> I've got a poly boat with glued-in-place foam bulkheads for and aft. Any > ideas for mounting a foot pump to such a beast Glue in an alloy rail in the boats bottom. On the rail you could mount every part very easily, you like to have in your boat. Use "normal" glue for PE, what´s its name? 3M 5200 FC ? Or Sikaflex. The alloy rail, you get from kayak outfitters or have a look in your local manual worker suppliers shop. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
I have this pump installed on my nordkapp, it works fine, however, I would suggest one thing: Take a tube of marine grade silicone and let loose a good ribbon around the switch/housing junction. Additionally, open up the unit and completely seal the switch and electrical leads inside the unit. You might even unscrew the switch and silicone the inside of the threads to the housing. My original Atwood failed because the seam between the switch boot and housing was not precise. I fixed that, though too late as the motor corroded and died. I spent 35 bucks and got another pump that has worked perfectly in the past few months. I trust it enough to no longer carry a backup, other than sponge and folding bailer. Cheers, Rob G *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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