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01-11-2011, 07:25
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Hilton Head SC
Boat: Westsail 42 Varua Ti'ama
Posts: 18
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Rule Bilge Pump Float Switch Problems
I have a Ruleamatic standalone float switch that surprised and concerned me when it began sticking "on" when testing it by running water into the bilge. I looked at customer reviews on WM, and thru the threads here, to learn that this is not uncommon.
Specifically, when it does this, it does it repeatedly, i.e., when I lift the float and lower it gently. Letting it drop onto the mounting bracket seems to kick it off. The behavior is sporadic, though. That is, next time I test it some days later, it may not misbehave, or it may.
Any insights, or product recommendations for an alternative model/maker? It would be good to know if this issue has been researched systematically. Didn't find anything on Practical Sailor or anywhere else.
Thanks all
__________________
Will
s/v Varua Ti'ama Westsail 42
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01-11-2011, 07:55
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#2
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Miami Florida
Boat: Ellis Flybridge 28
Posts: 4,057
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Re: Rule bilge pump float switch problems?
If the switch is less than a couple of years old, just take it back where you bought it and ask for a new one. Rule has a very liberal return policy. If it's more than a couple of years old just buy a new one. All float switches and electronic pump controls will fail eventually. Float switches are cheap enough that there is no reason to worry about a bad one or try to fix it. Twenty years ago we used to get a lot of returns on Rule float switches but since the change to mercury free switches we've only gotten very few returns. I think they are very reliable.
Rule-A-Matic Float Switch
__________________
Retired from Hopkins-Carter Marine Supplies
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01-11-2011, 07:55
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Ft Lauderdale, FL
Boat: 43 ft Selene/Solo
Posts: 688
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Re: Rule bilge pump float switch problems?
Float is probably sticking due to "gunk" that has accunulated.......take it out and hose it down with a stron stream of water from a hose........make sure that you get in all the corners and crevices.
__________________
Do not go where the path may lead.........
go instead where there is no path........
and leave a trail.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
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01-11-2011, 08:39
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#4
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Eastern Tennessee
Boat: Research vessel for a university, retired now.
Posts: 10,406
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Re: Rule bilge pump float switch problems?
I have given up on pumps with float switches. There has been nothing but trouble over the years regardless of which pumps or float switches
The "automatic" pumps that run occasionally which then measure the current being drawn I find are far more reliable.
Example...
http://www.amazon.com/Rule-Mate-2000...0162231&sr=8-7
__________________
David
Life begins where land ends.
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01-11-2011, 08:44
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#5
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cat herder, extreme blacksheep
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: furycame alley , tropics, mexico for now
Boat: 1976 FORMOSA yankee clipper 41
Posts: 18,967
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Re: Rule bilge pump float switch problems?
the float switches fail after a certain length of time-- mine did intermittent fail jut before it did final fail--stayed on--i had to replace it--i believe mine was 4 yrs old at the time.
no--there was no "gunk"in it or around it--they just fail. good luck. i would buy and install a new one--if old one is only failing intermittently, mebbe save for a back up. they arent expensive.
my lil tiny automatic pump works all the time, so far-- havent had but a small amount of trouble with it--stays on , but when i reset it with breaker it works just fine.
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01-11-2011, 08:51
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#6
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Senior Cruiser
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario - 48-29N x 89-20W
Boat: (Cruiser Living On Dirt)
Posts: 49,082
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Re: Rule bilge pump float switch problems?
The Rule-A-Matic float switches are commonly subject to failures.
For a much more reliable, and expensive, float switch, see the Ultra Safety Systems "ULTRA PUMPSWITCH" line
➥ TEF-GEL - Ultra safety systems - Home page
__________________
Gord May
"If you didn't have the time or money to do it right in the first place, when will you get the time/$ to fix it?"
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01-11-2011, 09:11
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#7
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Moderator
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Denmark (Winter), Helsinki (Summer); Cruising the Baltic Sea this year!
Boat: Cutter-Rigged Moody 54
Posts: 33,750
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Re: Rule bilge pump float switch problems?
I have an Ultra Junior on my big crash pump for the last year and a half. Can't say how reliable it is, since it has practically not been used.
The Jabsco float switch on the smaller pump usually does not work. I have dry bilges, so I have been ignoring that, relying on the crash pump to come on in case of any trouble. I just had it out and gave it a good cleaning and it seems to be working again, however. Perhaps keeping them very clean is necessary for their reliability. I will replace the switch and pump, however, with a Whale Supersub IQ, which has some kind of electronic switch integrated with it. On a bilge pump, I don't want to risk it.
I have Jabsco float switches in both my gray water boxes. They are apparently 10 years old and both working flawlessly. The only fault I had was when one of the gray water boxes -- never cleaned during my ownership -- got completely fouled with accumulated cr*p. After cleaning out the gray water box and pressure washing the float switch, everything works perfectly again. That's just a single data point, but I'd say that's pretty good performance.
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01-11-2011, 11:30
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#8
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Cayuga Lake NY - or on the boat somewhere south of there
Boat: Caliber 40
Posts: 1,355
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Re: Rule Bilge Pump Float Switch Problems
I always carry a spare float switch and bilge pump that are identical to what is installed so they can be switched out on the fly. It is not fun to discover your boat isnt pumping out when you are not near land
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01-11-2011, 11:37
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#9
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Kingston, Wa.
Boat: 1966 Buchan 37
Posts: 302
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Re: Rule Bilge Pump Float Switch Problems
I have never had a float switch that ever worked for more than about 6 mo. before failing. There is a very nice alternative that works just like the water level switch in a domestic washing machine. I have never heard one of those failing and flood the basement. I can't recall the name of the manufacturer but a friend of mine with a Nor'Sea installed one after repeated float switch failures and now is happy as a clam at high tide
__________________
Fred Guy
Maelstrom
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01-11-2011, 11:37
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#10
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Skagit City, WA
Posts: 25,453
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Re: Rule bilge pump float switch problems?
Quote:
Originally Posted by GordMay
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yep, buy one of these and "fugettaboutit"
__________________
"I spent most of my money on Booze, Broads and Boats. The rest I wasted" - Elmore Leonard
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01-11-2011, 21:33
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#11
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Miami Florida
Boat: Ellis Flybridge 28
Posts: 4,057
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Re: Rule Bilge Pump Float Switch Problems
The switches made by Ultra Safety Systems are very good if a little expensive. The Ultra Switch Junior is just a pump switch.
Ultra Pumpswitch JR
The Ultra Switch Senior includes an extra circuit to set off an alarm.
Ultra Safety Systems UPS-01 Ultra Pump Switch SR 12 volt
These switches are voltage specific so be sure to order the correct voltage if you buy one.
__________________
Retired from Hopkins-Carter Marine Supplies
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01-11-2011, 22:36
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#12
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Nicholasville, Kentucky
Boat: 15 foot Canoe
Posts: 14,191
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Re: Rule Bilge Pump Float Switch Problems
Just to be clear. The prices quoted are for the switch not including the pump, right?
kind regards,
__________________
John
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01-11-2011, 23:10
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#13
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Carlsbad, CA
Boat: 1976 Sabre 28-2
Posts: 7,505
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Re: Rule Bilge Pump Float Switch Problems
I went through Rule float switches about every two years though had one fail in a few months. Used a Johnson Controls float switch the last time the Rule gave up. It's going on three years and still working fine.
__________________
Peter O.
'Ae'a, Pearson 35
'Ms American Pie', Sabre 28 Mark II
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02-11-2011, 08:38
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#14
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Miami Florida
Boat: Ellis Flybridge 28
Posts: 4,057
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Re: Rule Bilge Pump Float Switch Problems
SkiprJohn, The Ultra Safety System switches on my website do not include the pump. Thanks for the heads up on that. I'll make a note of it on the website.
__________________
Retired from Hopkins-Carter Marine Supplies
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02-11-2011, 13:25
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#15
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Senior Cruiser
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Between Caribbean and Canada
Boat: Murray 33-Chouette & Pape Steelmaid-44-Safara-both steel cutters
Posts: 8,492
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Re: Rule bilge pump float switch problems?
Quote:
Originally Posted by David M
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David,
I think there is a serious flaw with that design as I understand it. The turn off feature only works to some minimum voltage, below which the pump stays on.
So...consider this scenario.
You leave the boat for a couple of weeks and develop a slow leak.
The pump turns on and turns off cycling for some period.
The battery depletes and at some point the low threshold is exceeded.
Then the pump stays on until the battery is completely depleted and dead.
The boat sinks.
You return the next day to a real mess.
Differing views entertained.
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