Re: [Paddlewise] Bilge pumps

From: Dave Kruger <kdruger_at_pacifier.com>
Date: Wed, 03 Jan 2007 05:13:46 -0800
Don Lowther wrote:
> 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. [snip]

Sooo, in a nutshell ... it loses its prime, and the check valve on the 
_exit_ prevents it from getting air/water out?

I'm wondering:  "What's a curly-que?"

Am I missing something? Wouldn't a check valve on the input side, and a 
free opening on the exit also solve the problem here, once the pump is 
primed?  Or, is it the check valve on the input side that is the problem?

-- 
Dave Kruger
Astoria, OR
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Received on Wed Jan 03 2007 - 05:14:41 PST

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