Re: [Paddlewise] Battery Powered Pump

Michel,

I have one installed in my Nordkapp. It is a fairly low volume pump that in 
conjunction with my high volume legs, takes up to 4 minutes to completely empty 
my boat. Usually it takes 1-2 minutes. The problem is that my switch is on 
the unit and I've not rigged one for the exterior of the boat. That means I have 
to undo my spray skirt to turn it off. It will run up to 5 hours on one set 
of D cell batteries so one may take their own sweet time about it.

My backup is a very large mesh bag of sponges that moves water very quickly. 
Sometimes I carry a handpump. I regularly inspect the unit for signs of wear 
on the motor. Attwood warrants the pump for a year and due to the constant 
humidity I find the pump lasts a year and then performance is sketchy.

A few things: First; take some silicone and completely coat the exterior of 
the switch booty so water will not intrude between the rubber of the switch 
booty and the pump body. Second; Coat the wires internal to the pump as they can 
corrode from humidity. Thirdly; make sure your outtake hose can remove water 
without water getting back in.

I agree with Michael Daly that other electric pumps might be better suited to 
a Nautiraid as it is a very high volume boat that a Waterbuster and a pair of 
handpumps would really struggle to remove water from. The Aussie/Kiwi 
electric pump cartel are very helpful in this regard.

http://www.nswseakayaker.asn.au/index.htm

They have a really great electric pump rig that I will probably make myself 
this summer.

Cheers,

Rob G
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