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Gear Buyer's Guides Plumbing, Ventilation & Interior Buyer's Guides   Go Back All Gear Guides Email to a Friend Printable version Bilge Pumps Author: MariSafe Bilge pumps help maintain a dry bilge by pumping water or other fluid overflows caused by small leaks, condensation, packing glands or gray water. In case of an emergency, bilge pumps slow the rate of flooding from a major leak until the source can be found and repaired. TYPES There are two main types of bilge pumps in common use: electric and manual. A third, less-used option on recreational boats is the engine-driven pump. Electric bilge pumps are generally thought of as maintenance pumps. Several high gph (gallons per hour) capacity pumps in the bilge can also be used for emergencies. Most electric pumps can be wired so that operation is completely manual or completely automatic, with the addition of a float or water-level switch and three-way control (off-manual-automatic). Electric bilge pumps come in two styles, centrifugal and diaphragm, each with their own operating characteristics. Electric centrifugal pumps constitute the majority of electric bilge pumps in use. They’re designed to be located in the lowest part of the bilge and pump water as it rises around them.    Advantages: the motor/pump assembly is submersible rated for continuous or intermittent duty can operate dry for short periods of time if flow is restricted these pumps will move less fluid until they stop    Disadvantages: not self-priming and must be installed below the bilge water level don’t have an on/off switch and must be wired to a remote switch leave a small amount of water in the bilge Electric diaphragm pumps literally suck the bilge dry like a wet-vac using an intake hose to the low point of the bilge. Unlike the centrifugal pumps, they leave very little water in the bilge. Diaphragm pumps can pass small objects, making them valuable as gray-water or sewage pumps, or on boats with dirty bilges.    Advantages: self-priming leave a drier bilge can be run dry for short periods of time can pass small objects    Disadvantages: require more maintenance because of their numerous parts not submersible restricted flow causes these pumps to work harder until they fail Manual bilge pumps are generally considered emergency bilge pumps because of the large amounts of water that can be moved through them. Also, if the electrical system goes down, manual bilge pumps will keep pumping. They can be either lever-and-diaphragm type or piston-style. Manual diaphragm bilge pumps may be single or double action with either a single or double diaphragm, a lever and valves. Manual pumps are generally robust and reliable but pumping water by hand for long periods of time can be very tiring.    Advantages: can be fixed or portable self-priming larger pumps can move up to 50 gallons per minute depending on the material used for the diaphragm and valves, these pumps can handle oil and other wastes as well as water parts are easily and in   All Gear Guides Email to a Friend Printable version Plumbing, Ventilation & Interior Buyer's Guides   Go Back

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