Re: [Paddlewise] Bilge pumps

Thank you everyone for your feedback and suggestions.
Over the weekend I emailed the pump manufacturer "Rule" explaining my set-up
and the problem it was having overcoming the check valve. I'll forward their
answer below, makes perfect sense of course:

Good day Don,

Both Rule and our competitors' centrifugal style bilge pumps have very
little air vacuum pressure because there is a large gap (depending on
the pump, it could range between 1/16"-3/16") which allows high flow and
some bilge debris to flow past the impeller without damaging the unit.

The negative side of the having the large gap between the housing and
the impeller is the impeller needs to come in contact with water to pull
the water out of the bilge (water being a lot thicker than air).

The check valve at the end of the bilge hose seals air in the hose and
will not allow the water to come in contact with the impeller. The pump
may be in a few inches of water (or completely submerged) but because of
the air pocket, the pump cannot remove the water from the bilge.

A generic remedy is to remove the check valve and put a curly-que (sorry
for the lack of technical terminology) in the line and that will keep
some of the water from flowing back into the bilge.

Please let me know if there are any more questions,

Michael Irving
Rule Product Specialist
ITT Marine and Leisure Group
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