Industrial Bilge Pump

[jff]

I have an application on my boat (sump box) where I am using a Rule 2000 with integral float switch. It works great, except it seems like every month I have to open the thing up and clean the pump, otherwise it just stops working (float switch gets clogged up with gunk). What I'm wondering is, are there any makers of pumps this general size but far, far more industrial and reliable (and I assume at a much higher price, but so be it - would be worth it if the thing would just work indefinitely)?

Thanks,
Capt. Jason

 

[Alex F]

Have you tried pouring some sort of cleaning solution on the sump box to keep it constantly clean and free of gunk? I out 1/2 cup of bleach in my shower sump box every 2-3 weeks. I let the bleach sit there for several hours before I use the water system.

IMO, the issue is that you have the sump box that collects the run off from different sources like showers and sinks (at least that what I've learned how it works on some other larger models), so it has greater chance to have the gunk build up. Therefore, I think adding some sort of cleaning solution in the sump box on the regular basis is necessary to keep the float switch and the pump in functional order.

 

[wastinaweigh]

I add Raritan CP to the sump on a regular basis and find that it does a pretty good job of keeping it from getting clogged up.

 

[Alex F]

I also remember that some folks claimed to have good results with a bilge cleaner in the sump boxes.

 

[fwebster]

Is your problem the pump itself or the switch getting gummed up?

I can't say that I never clean my sump box, but it isn't something that I have to do regularly. The reason is most likely because we have learned to avoid certain products like bar soap (liquid shower soap does not contain tallow), some shampoos (we only use baby shampoo), dishes are washed overboard before washing them in the sink. But, if you have teenagers on the boat, forget all the above and get used to sump box cleaning until they are out of the picture.

 

[jff]

My problem is the switch getting gummed up. We have been super, super careful about nothing going down the sink and the box water appears to be clean (not all molded up and/or with food particles floating around) - but the switch is sticking again. I need to check on the soap/shampoo, that's not something we had avoided. What is it in shampoo that we don't want? And I had not been dumping anything down there (bleach, "Raritan CP"), will try that.

Next step for me was to clean the box/pump again and/or pour something down there, but I guess I was posting really to see if there was a hardware solution, some kind of pump with a switch that would never clog/jamb no matter what. Probably doesn't exist but would be nice ...

Thanks All!
Capt. Jason

PS - @Wastinaweigh - what is Raritan CP? I typed that in at WestMarine.com but got nothing.

 

[fwebster]

Being "hair challenged", I can't really relate, but a lot of women's hair products contain additives for body, fullness, conditioning, etc. All that stuff leaves a residue. just raise a teenage girl and you'll understand about residue........

There is nothing wrong with it, but I don't use marine specific cleaners in the sump box either. It may not be the "greenest" approach, but when we leave the boat I add a good slug of a detergent to the sump system by pouring it down the shower drain with a little fresh water. The detergent soaking a week in the sump seems to avoid the gummy build up.

 

[jff]

Seems like bleach (also not very marine friendly) would be ideal ....

Shame these pumps are that sensitive, the engineer in me thinks there must be a way to make a pump switch or some other design that no reasonable amount of gunk/buildup/residue would clog.

Regards,
Capt. Jason

 

[Dick270da]

Rule makes pumps that don't rely on a float switch but turn on every 2.5 minutes. They run until there is no more water being pumped. I just replaced mine, it wasn't working when I bought the boat. I'm going to add a manual switch so I can turn it off to keep it from turning on every 2.5 minutes, it can be annoying.

 

[Go Aweigh2452]

Use dawn in the bilge once in a while. It breaks down gunk very well... Simple green works good too and that is safe for the environment...

 

[Dasch Boat]

Another vote for Dawn, I use it in the sump box, holding tank and the bilge. It breaks down grease which is the primary reason that our pump and holding tank float switches get fouled. You may also want to give the sump box a good flushing evry spring after you commission for the season. If you use "pink" to winterize your sump it is made with vegetable oil and will congeal eventually (found out the hard way about that).

 

[The Bill Collector]

I have had very good luck with this switch upgrade......

http://www.fisheriessupply.com/prod...=876&keywords=WATER+WITCH+SWITCH&km=entire&sb=

 

[jff]

I've read mixed reviews on the Water Witch, although the 230 (the one you pictured) was recommended. Apparently they have lower end models available as well, a few folks tried and replaced them but didn't specify which model. I'm inclined to try the 230 Water Witch, seems like it's the right idea assuming it just keeps working. Thanks!