reliable bilge pump and float switch

[senzafine]

I am installing a bilge pump,float switch and drain pan to expel water from
a sink and shower.I have read customer reviews on equipment made by
Rule,Attwood and others but still in doubt concerning reliability.They will be installed in a small, hard to get at location so the less attention they
require the better.

Based on your experience which manufacturer would you choose?

Thank you

[gts1544]

I don't mean to question your plan. Have you considered a more accessible location for the pump connected to the units serviced via hose? Our Beneteau shower sump is connected via hose to our bilge/sump pump located under the galley sink and using the sink drain line. The pump is activated by a waterproof toggle switch located on the vanity, out of the way. Seems to work just fine and is accessible for maintenance.

[Privilege]

I've spent many years replacing cheap bilge pumps and float switches on my boats. I've never found a centrifugal pump that lasts when used in a shower sump application, even the kits sold in a ready-made enclosure. Body hair and soap scum kills the pump and float switch very quickly. My advice would be to use a gulper pump with an electronic switch. I've got a Whale 220 gulper with an Atwood S3 electronic bilge switch. The gulper pump gets rid of everything and you just need the occasional wipe of the electronic sensors.

[a64pilot]

I have a diaphragm pump mounted in an accessible location and a hose leading to the sump, with an Ultra switch.
The diaphragm type of pump does not have to be mounted in the sump, and if my sump were hard to get to, I would think hard about just having a switch in the shower that turned the pump on and off, so you never have to worry about a float switch, and the noise the pump will make will mean you won't likely forget to turn it off.

Now that I have read the whole thread, what gts1544 said

[FionaJC]

I have a rule drain box, one of the all in ones. Its been in the boat for 10 years and it is working fine. It takes the shower and sink in the heads. Its at the lowest point in the bilgecoverered over with a floor, decking and carpet so I dont find it easy to get to either.

I have never had a problem with it but two points, if the bilge fills which happened once it acted as an extra bilge pump and filled the grey tank which I then emptied with a gulper.

We also find we dont use the shower much. We tend to marina hop as my other half is a glass surface sailor. So we use thier facilities and I dont fancy a shower on passage at 20 degrees.

Otherwise I would go for the previous suggestion of a gulper and switch. Keep it simple and a gulper will pump virtually anything.

[David M]

I gave up on float switches. All the different ones I have tried, and it has been many, eventually failed.

I use the automated ones. They are not perfect but they are much better.

[Cheechako]

Originally Posted by gts1544

I don't mean to question your plan. Have you considered a more accessible location for the pump connected to the units serviced via hose? Our Beneteau shower sump is connected via hose to our bilge/sump pump located under the galley sink and using the sink drain line. The pump is activated by a waterproof toggle switch located on the vanity, out of the way. Seems to work just fine and is accessible for maintenance.

^^^^ I prefer this solution also. Much better than those little trays with mini toy pumps. Put in one of those mini plastic sea strainers between the sump and pump though.

[wrwakefield]

Originally Posted by senzafine

I am installing a bilge pump,float switch and drain pan to expel water from
a sink and shower.I have read customer reviews on equipment made by
Rule,Attwood and others but still in doubt concerning reliability.They will be installed in a small, hard to get at location so the less attention they
require the better.

Based on your experience which manufacturer would you choose?

Thank you

As others have mentioned, Whale Gulper pumps were designed for this purpose.

I am preparing to remove our shower sumps [with submerged bilge pumps and float switches] and replace them with the Whale IC kit.

It includes a Gulper pump and a manifold you plumb the drains to that incorporates an electronic sensor that turns on the pump automatically.

Whale also makes a shower pan specific drain with sensor which you can use instead of their manifold.

No sump to install; just plumb the drain lines to the manifold and put the pump where it is convenient.

I'm planning to plumb the sinks and showers in both heads- and the galley sink- to the same manifold, obviating 3 through-hulls and 2 shower drain sumps in the process with one Whale Grey IC.

In case this is of interest.

Cheers! Bill

[lvictorlucas]

The two best pieces of advice I can give is:
1) Look for an old Mercury switch, an used Mercury is always better than a new mechanical or electronic.
2) Use a diaphragm pump and clean it once a year.

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

I have a diaphragm pump mounted in an accessible location and a hose leading to the sump, with an Ultra switch.
The diaphragm type of pump does not have to be mounted in the sump, and if my sump were hard to get to, I would think hard about just having a switch in the shower that turned the pump on and off, so you never have to worry about a float switch, and the noise the pump will make will mean you won't likely forget to turn it off.

Now that I have read the whole thread, what gts1544 said

Remote diaphragm with an Ultra switch is my exact setup and so far it's bulletproof.

Also remote diaphragm for the shower sump pump and again, no problems so far.

[CarlF]

I was very skeptical that this new Gulper shower pump would work but it's been trouble free for over three years (haven't even had to clean the contacts). Note that it will accept one or two input hoses.

I think the reason it works so well is that the pump completely empties the little sensor chamber rather than leaving standing water.

Whale Marine - Products

[ArmyDaveNY]

While others have great comments about types of switches and pumps, be sure that your wiring is up to snuff and make sure your hoses are not too small.

Bad wiring and the resultant voltage irregularities can kill any pump. Many pump experts have stated that it is often not the pump that is the real issue but bad electrical circuits that will dramatically shorten the pump's life.

Also, I have been told by some that if the hose is too small, or if they use a reducer to fit a smaller hose, it can cause the pump to suffer too much resistance, thus shortening the life of the pump.

Finally, use liquid soap and avoid bar soap if possible. Bar soap will eventually solidify again. Liquid soap will stay as a liquid and not plug things over time.

Good luck with your project.

[patprice]

Originally Posted by senzafine

I am installing a bilge pump,float switch and drain pan to expel water from
a sink and shower.I have read customer reviews on equipment made by
Rule,Attwood and others but still in doubt concerning reliability.They will be installed in a small, hard to get at location so the less attention they
require the better.

Based on your experience which manufacturer would you choose?

Thank you

My B42 has a pump in the aft shower but not in the forward one. We installed a shower forward and sponge the water out. Takes little time and also can wipe down the walls.
Simple and effective.

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by skipmac

Remote diaphragm with an Ultra switch is my exact setup and so far it's bulletproof.

Also remote diaphragm for the shower sump pump and again, no problems so far.

Wanted to add, for emergency bilge pumps I have a pair of Rule 4000s. Real world should pump close to 60 gallons per minute each. I wouldn't recommend the Rule for daily use, they seem to live a short life, but mounted high in a dry part of the bilge they should last and can keep up with a pretty good sized leak.

[Gamechanger]

Ive been using a regular bilge pump in my sink/shower sump for 2 years now. Have a small (12 inch by 12 inch) pot that all the 3/4 inch hoses flow into. (Two heads, each with sink and shower) I instruct everyone when they shower to use lots of water. We're on Georgian Bay so we take water directly from the lake. Have never had a problem with pluggage due to soap scum or hair.
If I were on the ocean it would be different I guess since fresh water is harder to come by.