is anyone aware of a small (could be very small)bilge pump to remove water to an almost dry state?
If I get water in the bilge or, worse, in the shallow pan behind the engine, I can run the bilge pump for a moment but wind up with at least 1/4 inch of water to sponge out. Not a big deal for the bilge where I can dry it out as time allows (I like to keep the bilge as dry as possible), but in the engine pan If I don’t dry out immediately, the pan is so shallow it spills water onto the cabin floor. Not such a big deal it seems but over time this constant soaking of the cabin floor is a problem.
I need to buy (or build) a pump which will suck almost all the water out so the uptake will need to be hugging the floor of the pan or bilge. Anyone know of such a pump or has someone built one?
I remembered reading about a system to dry the bilge a few years ago.
Couldn’t find the article, but asked "CoPilot. It found the systems, but did not cite the article. Here is the result:
SEAFLO Dry Bilge System:
The SEAFLO Dry Bilge System is an economical and reliable solution. It removes all still water from the lowest part of your bilge, preventing mold and mustiness.
Features:
Removes all still water remaining from normal bilge pump operation.
User-programmable interface for manual or automatic operation.
Equipped with a built-in programmable timer for automatic usage.
Self-priming up to 25 feet.
Increases bilge pump and float switch lifetime.
Technical Specifications:
Flow Rate: 0.3 GPM (1 LPM).
Voltage: 12V.
Outlet Diameter: 1/2" barbed.
Weight: 5.18 lbs.
Dimensions: Approx. 12" x 7.5" x 3.75".
Note: The SEAFLO Dry Bilge System is not a replacement for a conventional bilge pump but serves as a supplemental, low-flow system1.
DIY Dry Bilge System:
You can create your own dry bilge system using simple components:
Homemade water pickups (electrical plate cover, sponge, hose barb).
Small diaphragm pump (1.3 gallons per minute).
Plastic tubing.
Construct pickups, connect them to the pump, and mount the system in your bilge.
Use a programmable timer or manual toggle switch to activate the system as needed.
A second thanks for thread and the article posted in response. With all the recent rain here in California and a few small leaks that never trigger the bilge pump in our F33 CK I have been trying to find a way to keep the bilge dry.
I got all my supplies for the DIY version and am ready to roll as soon as I get a small 12VDC battery. I want to test the rig in my garage before I start screwing things into the boat.
One of the issues I have had with these small “diaphragm” pumps is its very easy to foul them with debris. I stole one of those fine filters out of a pop up yard sprinkler and attached that to my uptake, this should make an excellent debris filter with very little resistance to flow.
I’ll post some pics when I have a bench test going.
Hi Mike- I also built my own last year using a small 12v pump, a lighter style plug and cable, an in line filter, and a couple of pieces of hose. I just use it with a small bucket as a portable “bilge vacuum”. I ended up replacing the in line filter with a small square of fabric wire tied to the end of the hose. It’s just easier to clean or replace. I attached to intake hose to a length of dowel to allow me to more easily get the low points of the bilge.
Hi All
I have a small shop-vac aboard for general clean up and it works very well to get that small amount of water out of the bilge. Simpel and quick.
Erik
I wound up installing a 24 hour timer which turns the shaft well pump on for 60 seconds every hour while underway. I got a small run dry 12vdc pump and a couple of feet of silicone tubing. I ran the output to a 1/2 gallon jug and the uptake to a joint barb. I then used a piece of seizing wire to hold the uptake barb right in the deepest part of the shaft well. Works great. I just need to remember to turn it off when at anchor and not experiencing the seal leakage.
Obviously a temp fix for seal leakage but it is very effective. I also note the pump is able to overcome small debris which inevitably finds its way into the well. I will likely move the uptake into the main bilge after I fix the seal. It gets the water level down to almost zero. Total cost about $40 but it is a manual operation so not perfect.
I just found a bilge pickup on Etsy that someone is 3D-printing to order. It looks like a good design and I bought one. Search “dry bilge housing/pickup” on Etsy. $30 and it will be delivered to my house rather than me spending time messing around . . . what a deal.
Problem on my boat would be the vertical clearance in the shaft well. The deepest part of the well is right below the shaft coupling where there is little clearance for a housing. I have to snake the pickup tubing into that area.
However, for the actual bilge this looks like the way to go.