Cruisers Forum
 


Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on Cruisers Forums. Advertise Here
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Rate Thread Display Modes
Old 29-08-2014, 09:53   #1
Registered User

Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 90
Bilge Pump Emptying into the Cockpit

I was rewiring my boat after smoking a little herb and now whenever I run my bilge pump, the bilge water empties into the cockpit while, at the same time, pushing some of the bilge water out of the boat like it should.

When the bilge pump is turned off, the water slowly drains from the cockpit back into the bilge.

Now get this, my other bilge pump sucks water from my cockpit and empties it into the bilge, but on only one side. I think the other side is clogged or something.

So while one bilge pump sucks, the other one blows. Damn I've been watching too much FAP.

Suggestions?
liveaboardL is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 29-08-2014, 11:02   #2
S/V rubber ducky
 
sailorboy1's Avatar

Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: heading "south"
Boat: Hunter 410
Posts: 20,362
Re: bilge pump emptying into the cockpit

did you wire it backwards?
__________________
Don't ask a bunch of unknown forum people if it is OK to do something on YOUR boat. It is your boat, do what you want!
sailorboy1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 29-08-2014, 11:04   #3
Registered User
 
S/V Illusion's Avatar

Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Lakewood Ranch, FLORIDA
Boat: Alden 50, Sarasota, Florida
Posts: 3,464
Re: bilge pump emptying into the cockpit

Unclog the obstruction. There must be at least one.
S/V Illusion is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 29-08-2014, 11:06   #4
Registered User

Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Seattle
Boat: Cal 40 (sold). Still have a Hobie 20
Posts: 2,944
Images: 7
Re: bilge pump emptying into the cockpit

Quote:
Originally Posted by S/V Illusion View Post
Unclog the obstruction. There must be at least one.
Between the lines it says your bilge pump and cockpit drains are tee'd together.
cal40john is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 29-08-2014, 11:15   #5
Moderator
 
Pete7's Avatar

Cruisers Forum Supporter

Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Solent, England
Boat: Moody 31
Posts: 18,398
Images: 22
Re: bilge pump emptying into the cockpit

As the water flows from the cockpit back to the bilge could you install a little paddle wheel to generate electricity to run the pumps?

We have a small pump which empties into the cockpit so that on passage if there is a leak the crew get wet feet and therefore might spark and do something about it.

However, I don't think you really need them all emptying into the cockpit, how about plumbing them in overboard.

Pete
Pete7 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 29-08-2014, 11:20   #6
Registered User
 
S/V Illusion's Avatar

Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Lakewood Ranch, FLORIDA
Boat: Alden 50, Sarasota, Florida
Posts: 3,464
Re: bilge pump emptying into the cockpit

Quote:
Originally Posted by cal40john View Post
Between the lines it says your bilge pump and cockpit drains are tee'd together.
Small wager - there is an infamous prone-to-fail check valve involved???
S/V Illusion is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 29-08-2014, 11:22   #7
Moderator Emeritus
 
a64pilot's Avatar

Cruisers Forum Supporter

Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Jacksonville/ out cruising
Boat: Island Packet 38
Posts: 31,351
Re: bilge pump emptying into the cockpit

Quote:
Originally Posted by Pete7 View Post

We have a small pump which empties into the cockpit so that on passage if there is a leak the crew get wet feet and therefore might spark and do something about it.

Pete
Now that makes sense, but I think here his bilge is just T'd into his cockpit drain and there is at least a partial blockage somewhere.
It might just have something to do with his opening sentence though
I like your high water alarm, good thinking.
a64pilot is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 29-08-2014, 11:24   #8
Moderator Emeritus
 
a64pilot's Avatar

Cruisers Forum Supporter

Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Jacksonville/ out cruising
Boat: Island Packet 38
Posts: 31,351
Re: bilge pump emptying into the cockpit

Quote:
Originally Posted by S/V Illusion View Post
Small wager - there is an infamous prone-to-fail check valve involved???
Only thing check valves are good for is sticking, you know some people want to use those things in fuel systems
a64pilot is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 29-08-2014, 11:32   #9
Moderator
 
Pete7's Avatar

Cruisers Forum Supporter

Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Solent, England
Boat: Moody 31
Posts: 18,398
Images: 22
Re: bilge pump emptying into the cockpit

Quote:
Originally Posted by a64pilot View Post
It might just have something to do with his opening sentence though
Oops, missed that, wrong generation, too young to have been part of the 1960s ippy scene and too old for all the modern pills
Pete7 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 29-08-2014, 11:54   #10
Registered User

Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Alameda, CA
Boat: C&C Newport 41
Posts: 586
Re: bilge pump emptying into the cockpit

Quote:
Originally Posted by S/V Illusion View Post
Small wager - there is an infamous prone-to-fail check valve involved???
i'll take that action
ssanzone is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 29-08-2014, 12:03   #11
Registered User

Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Alameda, CA
Boat: C&C Newport 41
Posts: 586
Re: bilge pump emptying into the cockpit

Quote:
Originally Posted by Pete7 View Post

We have a small pump which empties into the cockpit so that on passage if there is a leak the crew get wet feet and therefore might spark and do something about it.
can you elaborate a bit? this would be great for me while single handing.

do you have your main bilge going overboard and a small, 2nd, bilge T(ed) into one of the cockpit drains so a small amount of what is in the bilge wets the toes of those in the cockpit (and then self drains from the other cockpit drains?)

how do you prevent the cycle of cockpit water running to the bilge to be pumped back into the cockpit?

liveaboardL... you are taking the wrong drug.

switch to acid you can just pretend u r hallucinating the water in the cockpit OR switch to coke and u will have all the energy you need to bail the cockpit with a bucket OR smoke enough weed that u just stare and giggle.

maybe the solution is to build a hard doger so u can get the whole fishbowl affect going...

-steve
ssanzone is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 29-08-2014, 12:22   #12
Registered User

Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Seattle
Boat: Cal 40 (sold). Still have a Hobie 20
Posts: 2,944
Images: 7
Re: bilge pump emptying into the cockpit

Easier to add an audible alarm that sounds when the pump is running. I have one on my big pump that is up higher in the bilge that doesn't turn on unless something is wrong.



Quote:
Originally Posted by ssanzone View Post
can you elaborate a bit? this would be great for me while single handing.

do you have your main bilge going overboard and a small, 2nd, bilge T(ed) into one of the cockpit drains so a small amount of what is in the bilge wets the toes of those in the cockpit (and then self drains from the other cockpit drains?)

how do you prevent the cycle of cockpit water running to the bilge to be pumped back into the cockpit?

liveaboardL... you are taking the wrong drug.

switch to acid you can just pretend u r hallucinating the water in the cockpit OR switch to coke and u will have all the energy you need to bail the cockpit with a bucket OR smoke enough weed that u just stare and giggle.

maybe the solution is to build a hard doger so u can get the whole fishbowl affect going...

-steve
cal40john is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 29-08-2014, 12:53   #13
Registered User

Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 90
Re: bilge pump emptying into the cockpit

I jumped in the river and got some oysters out of the hole when I saw alligator eyes a few feet away. Just as quickly, I jumped in the dinghy and got the rest reaching over the dink. Didn't do the job. Got a high pressure water hose and rammed it into the drain on full blast while turning the hose. That did the job. Still, I think one of my bilge pumps might be wired backwards, so I'm going to make sure it's not sucking water into the boat before go eat some chips and a sandwich.
liveaboardL is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 29-08-2014, 13:10   #14
Moderator Emeritus
 
HappyMdRSailor's Avatar

Cruisers Forum Supporter

Join Date: May 2008
Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Boat: 48 Wauquiez Pilot Saloon
Posts: 5,975
Re: bilge pump emptying into the cockpit

Quote:
Originally Posted by sailorboy1 View Post
did you wire it backwards?
I'll bet so...

Quote:
Originally Posted by S/V Illusion View Post
Unclog the obstruction. There must be at least one.
And yes due to one cockpit draining back...

Quote:
Originally Posted by ssanzone View Post
can you elaborate a bit? this would be great for me while single handing.

do you have your main bilge going overboard and a small, 2nd, bilge T(ed) into one of the cockpit drains so a small amount of what is in the bilge wets the toes of those in the cockpit (and then self drains from the other cockpit drains?)

how do you prevent the cycle of cockpit water running to the bilge to be pumped back into the cockpit?

Duh! A check valve ! (I kid peeps)

liveaboardL... you are taking the wrong drug.

switch to acid you can just pretend u r hallucinating the water in the cockpit OR switch to coke and u will have all the energy you need to bail the cockpit with a bucket OR smoke enough weed that u just stare and giggle.

maybe the solution is to build a hard doger so u can get the whole fishbowl affect going...
LOVE IT!!!

-steve
__________________
In the harsh marine environment, something is always in need of repair...

Mai Tai's fix everything...
HappyMdRSailor is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 29-08-2014, 13:27   #15
Moderator Emeritus
 
David M's Avatar

Cruisers Forum Supporter

Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Eastern Tennessee
Boat: Research vessel for a university, retired now.
Posts: 10,406
Re: bilge pump emptying into the cockpit

Eliminate the T and add a separate overboard discharge, one for the cockpit and one for the bilge pump, complete with a shut off valve at each of the overboard discharges. This is the correct way of doing this.

It's a bad idea to use a check valve for a bilge pump. They can stick remaining open, closed or part way open or add unneeded resistance.

Use a loop to prevent water from flowing backwards through a bilge pump.
__________________
David

Life begins where land ends.
David M is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
bilge, bilge pump, cockpit

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Best bilge pump to keep the bilge as dry as possible keelsidedown Plumbing Systems and Fixtures 24 30-05-2018 15:51
Gasoline Powered Pump for Bilge Pump clockwork orange Construction, Maintenance & Refit 19 18-06-2014 08:44
Freshwater Pressurising Pump Sends Water Down Pipe into Bilge GaryBmth Plumbing Systems and Fixtures 10 27-01-2012 16:54
1990 Wellcraft San Remo Bilge Pump Locations and Foul Bilge Smell skyinb Powered Boats 2 25-06-2010 19:21
Gulper 320 Pump and Urchin Bilge Pump in Series ? bmartinsen Plumbing Systems and Fixtures 1 20-04-2010 20:14

Advertise Here


All times are GMT -7. The time now is 22:52.


Google+
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Social Knowledge Networks
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.

ShowCase vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.