yet another bilge pump check valve idea

[robwilk37]

the backflow after the bilge pump shuts down has always bugged me. in the quest for a dry bilge im thinking a 12vdc solenoid valve (100% thru-put ball type sprinkler valve) wired with the pump float switch might serve. the valve opens when the pump is activated and closes when the float shuts off. they are none restricting - full diameter plastic ball valves. this would only be for the maintenance pump and not for the holys*** pumps. what say you?

[senormechanico]

One more possible failure point.
For starters, solenoid winding fails, shorts, corrodes, opens, fuse corrodes, opens.........

[robwilk37]

no reason an industrial valve should fail at any higher rate than the pump itself. properly specd/installed and monitored i dont think its an added weak link, and the emergency pump would kick in eventually anyway and alert to the problem as its alarmed...

[Uncle Bob]

Originally Posted by robwilk37

the backflow after the bilge pump shuts down has always bugged me. in the quest for a dry bilge im thinking a 12vdc solenoid valve (100% thru-put ball type sprinkler valve) wired with the pump float switch might serve. the valve opens when the pump is activated and closes when the float shuts off. they are none restricting - full diameter plastic ball valves. this would only be for the maintenance pump and not for the holys*** pumps. what say you?

Oh please, if you are worried by the small amount of water returning to the bilge install a small diaphragm pump on its own switch and your bilge will be as dry as it can possibly be.

[robwilk37]

and another 12' of hose and a thru-hull for it? oh please indeed...

[Ocean Cowbuoy]

you asked for opinions/thoughts.... (personally I like the idea but why not just use a regular check valve?)

[ohdrinkboy]

saw this at the boat show. in the demo it work perfectly.
Arid Bilge Home

I have no interest in this firm.

[robwilk37]

Originally Posted by Ocean Cowbuoy

you asked for opinions/thoughts.... (personally I like the idea but why not just use a regular check valve?)

i think the knock on regular ball check valves is they are quite restrictive...

[Uncle Bob]

Originally Posted by robwilk37

and another 12' of hose and a thru-hull for it? oh please indeed...

A small diaphragm maintenance bilge pump designed to remove the residual bilge water can be plumbed into the cockpit drain, often much closer than the hull. Additionally diaphragm pumps don't need check valves, by design they act as a check valve. Could be a simple yet elegant solution.

[leftbrainstuff]

Originally Posted by Uncle Bob

A small diaphragm maintenance bilge pump designed to remove the residual bilge water can be plumbed into the cockpit drain, often much closer than the hull. Additionally diaphragm pumps don't need check valves, by design they act as a check valve. Could be a simple yet elegant solution.

+1

Instead of adding another potential failure point in the main bilge add another bilge pump.

The above post is a good idea for the following reasons:

1) Solves the op's original need. Nothing bad was ever written about a dry bilge.
2) Adds another bilge punp. Admittedly it's only small but it doesn't impact the main bilge system.

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[knockabout]

a good quality sponge $3 and bucket $2 from coles / method: place sponge in water allow to absorb water wring into bucket / repeat until bilge is dry / return the clean sea water over the side / check discharging regulations for your area some places have huge fines if the slightest rainbow film is noticed after discharge / if you have a bilge blower the tiny bit of run back usually caused by worn or contaminated bilge pump foot valve will evaporate

[Tony Tommasello]

The more aggravating issue is a continuously cycling pump that turns on again when the backflow raises the level to the point of throwing the float switch. To make the bilge dry I manually pump out by hand and if I want to be absolutely dry finish with a sponge or microfiber cloth.

[foufou]

Do not use check valves. when I got my boat, with deferred maintenance, all three check valves were frozen. I replaced all with high loops. the hell with a little dribble back. And many of the small pumps have a little rubber thingy that is effectively a check valve. the sponge method mentioned above is a good idea. Also a turkey baster or battery tester make for goo last drop removers. f

[Scott Berg]

Boats need more than one pump (per bilge); one that can dewater when problems exist and one that can remove the small amount of water that causes smells/etc. We like large centrifugal pumps with anti siphon systems and NO CHECK VALVES and diaphram pumps for dry bilges. This system works very well for us Dry Bilges are possible! The Arid Bilge system mentioned above is wonderful but a shade pricy for my needs. If I were starting from scratch that's what I'd have installed.

[Terra Nova]

Originally Posted by robwilk37

...what say you?

Ridiculous.

Stick with proven and approved concepts that work.