Poor Design of Whale Bilge Pump

[HopCar]

Whale has been making that pump that way for at least forty years. Mine did the same thing. Wire brush bright, prime, paint, repeat every two years.

[LeaseOnLife]

Originally Posted by HopCar

Wire brush bright, prime, paint, repeat every two years.

Yup, same here, junk! Looking for a bolt on replacement.

Dirk

[dohenyboy]

Anodize it
Or
Alodine is easy to apply and will probably be just as effective.


Sent from an undisclosed location on the high seas or from the lounge chair by the pool, you decide.

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by HopCar

Whale has been making that pump that way for at least forty years. Mine did the same thing. Wire brush bright, prime, paint, repeat every two years.

So the finish only lasts 2 years? FFS.. .

Anodizing the little plate will not solve the problem. the other valve seat, which is integral to the pump body, has the same problem.

Sent from my D6633 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[Hard Rock Candy]

I never even thought about mine. I took the one that quit first, apart and found out what was wrong and made a new valve plate out of 5200 and glass fiber. It never caused me anymore problems. when the back one went I did the same thing. simple cure. Mac

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by Hard Rock Candy

I never even thought about mine. I took the one that quit first, apart and found out what was wrong and made a new valve plate out of 5200 and glass fiber. It never caused me anymore problems. when the back one went I did the same thing. simple cure. Mac

Yet another!

I think we can safely warn people not to buy these pumps -- Whale Gusher Model 10.

[Delancey]

Interesting design critique. I think that maybe the only thing more interesting would be for someone to step up with a better, more durable pump and the same price point.

Anyone with experience designing and manufacturing investment-cast aluminum pumps?

I have experience with the casting technique, but not pumps specifically. Seems pretty straightforward. I could produce something similar. If you have ideas I am all ears.

Otherwise I would buy the competition instead of complaining. Whale makes a respectable product with a decent design. It's a largely free market.

[CarlF]

The Whale company, Munster Simms, was bought out in 2008 (the depths of the recession) by three directors one of whom became CEO. They borrowed a lot of money from the Northern Ireland government and expanded rapidly.

Then last June, the company was sold to US based Brunswick -- known for bowling balls, Bayliner boats, and many other brands. I expect the owners did well in the sale.

I have owned Whale pumps for 40 years but have noticed a decline in quality. Now that I think about it, from about 2008.

This sort of consolidation is good for stockholders but rarely for customers. It's also happening a lot in the marine industry. Mainesail posted last fall that Marinco acquired Blue Sea Systems.

It would be interesting to compare a 10 year old Whale Titan pump with a new one on the shelves.

[Delancey]

If you gave me money to design a similar pump I would take your money, laugh, then give you a copy or near facsimile. Why reinvent the wheel?

In forty years hand operated pumps won't look any different. Just how it goes. If there was room for improvement in the design, it would have happened long ago. No such thing as a patent on a flapper valve same as you can't push on a rope!

Nothing wrong with the design. Materials and manufacturing, well...

[redpointist]

I have the exact same problem with mine. Choosing to use aluminum for the rubber flaps' seating surface certainly wasn't a good design choice. I've tried resurfacing mine with epoxy but haven't had luck yet. I'll probably check my intake hose more thoroughly before I throw it out though.

[Rustic Charm]

Originally Posted by IdoraKeeper

Get a nice smooth piece of black plastic of the correct thickness..plenty to choose from. Use the old part as a template and cut out with a fine blade band saw. Use a sharp new drill bit for any holes. No corrosion. No big expenses. If it works okay, problem solved.

An another alternative is find someone that does 3D printing and print one out of plastic.

[El Pinguino]

Is it just me thats having a de javu moment all over again? http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ss-101919.html

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by El Pinguino

Is it just me thats having a de javu moment all over again? http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ss-101919.html

Hah, exactly!! And the inside of my pump looks exactly like that!

It seems to be a universal problem -- this is just a bad design.

And most of the guys on that thread seem to have decided to toss the Gusher 10 and go with some kind of plastic pump.

I can't do that right now, because I have too many other things to do right now without a project of recutting holes in the cockpit floor, trying to mount a different bracket, etc., but I guess it will he on the list for next year.

I will try to refinish the valve seats somehow to get through this year at least.

So what should I use? Epoxy? Zinc chromate primer then paint?

[transmitterdan]

All aluminum pumps suffer this fate. We purchase aluminum pumps because if they were made of titanium the price would be $2,000.00. Plastic pumps seem like a good alternative but they may not be compatible with some solvents so check before going that route.

If you have an aluminum emergency manual pump there are a few rules of use. First, don't use it unless it is an emergency. This one simple rule will solve many problems. Second, if you use it to pump salt water then as soon as possible thereafter disassemble the pump and give it a thorough flushing with fresh water. Remove the flapper seal plate(s) too and clean thoroughly. Reinstall using Lanocote on the screws.

Also, budget to replace this pump every 5-7 years. That's about how long they last waiting to be used.

[transmitterdan]

What should appear in my inbox not 15 minutes after the previous post but an advert for a new design Edson emergency manual pump. http://www.edsonmarine.com/products/...Mount_Pump.pdf

Price.....drum roll please... $999.00.

Body is bronze with stainless details. Should last a long time.