Re: [Paddlewise] Bilge pumps

From: Michael Daly <mikedaly_at_magma.ca>
Date: Wed, 03 Jan 2007 16:06:47 -0500
Dave Kruger wrote:

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

I could see this if the whole affair is pretty airtight.  If air is trapped in 
the outlet pipe, inside the pump and the scroll case, water can't enter the 
scroll case to cover the impeller -- think of pushing an empty glass upside down 
into water - water stays out of the glass.

However, I rather doubt that the whole affair is sufficiently airtight.  If it 
is, a tiny hole in the pipe on the pump side of the check valve should solve the 
problem.  That'll let air through but not leak any significant amount of water.


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

If you make a full 360 degree loop with the outlet tubing, you get the 
equivalent of a trap in the drainpipe of a sink.  If the top of the loop is 
close to the underside of the deck, it makes an effective check valve.  If you 
can't find a cheap check valve, that's an alternative - not truly watertight, 
but pretty effective.  I wish I knew about this before buying a $$ check valve.

Mike
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Received on Wed Jan 03 2007 - 13:07:35 PST

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