Empathy List Archives

J

jcj@chattanooga.net

Thu, Sep 6, 2001 2:57 PM

My bilge pump float switch has stopped working and I need a replacement.
It is one of the Rule-a-matic float switches that seem to be so common.
I was considering the more expensive Ultra Pumpswitch which received a
good write up in Practical Sailor, but at that price difference I could
replace the Rule switch 4 times! Does anyone have a suggestion or
experience to share?

Courtenay James
BLUE SHAMU, Fisher 46 Motorsailer, Chattanooga, TN

My bilge pump float switch has stopped working and I need a replacement. It is one of the Rule-a-matic float switches that seem to be so common. I was considering the more expensive Ultra Pumpswitch which received a good write up in Practical Sailor, but at that price difference I could replace the Rule switch 4 times! Does anyone have a suggestion or experience to share? Courtenay James BLUE SHAMU, Fisher 46 Motorsailer, Chattanooga, TN

F

fburrows@mail.com

Thu, Sep 6, 2001 3:20 PM

My vote is for the Ultimate. I had replaced two Rule switches and then
thought about how important this function is to the safe operation of my
boat and bought the Ultimate. It has been down there for 10 years with no
problems. I opted to get the one with the alarm and it reacted once when
the bilge pump shorted out and tripped the breaker. Since the alarm is
powered by two 9 volt batteries it was not affected and sounded when the
water level got too high.

Frank Burrows 1979 43' Viking MY Piney Narrows Marina Chesapeake Bay

My bilge pump float switch has stopped working and I need a replacement.
It is one of the Rule-a-matic float switches that seem to be so common.
I was considering the more expensive Ultra Pumpswitch which received a
good write up in Practical Sailor, but at that price difference I could
replace the Rule switch 4 times!

My vote is for the Ultimate. I had replaced two Rule switches and then thought about how important this function is to the safe operation of my boat and bought the Ultimate. It has been down there for 10 years with no problems. I opted to get the one with the alarm and it reacted once when the bilge pump shorted out and tripped the breaker. Since the alarm is powered by two 9 volt batteries it was not affected and sounded when the water level got too high. Frank Burrows 1979 43' Viking MY Piney Narrows Marina Chesapeake Bay >My bilge pump float switch has stopped working and I need a replacement. >It is one of the Rule-a-matic float switches that seem to be so common. >I was considering the more expensive Ultra Pumpswitch which received a >good write up in Practical Sailor, but at that price difference I could >replace the Rule switch 4 times!

R

rmcleran@ix.netcom.com

Thu, Sep 6, 2001 3:30 PM

Sanderling has a "wet" bilge that collects some rainwater from the
lazarette, and consequently pumps 3-4 times a week just sitting at the
dock. I was running through those Rule float switches at regular intervals,
due to the high amperage current running through the float switch whenever
the pump was running.

The solution is to put a relay (not sure if that is the right term) in line
with the pump. The float activates the 12 volt side of the relay only; the
other side of the relay activates the pump. I got the relay (12 volt one
side; 120v the other) and a box for it at Radio Shack - probably less than
$8.00 for everything. Haven't had to replace that float switch for over two
years!

At 10:57 AM 09/06/2001 -0400, you wrote:

My bilge pump float switch has stopped working and I need a replacement.
It is one of the Rule-a-matic float switches that seem to be so common.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
M/V Sanderling Email: rmcleran@ix.netcom.com
Hampton 35 Trawler
Currently docked: Pt. Patience Marina, Solomons, MD

Sanderling has a "wet" bilge that collects some rainwater from the lazarette, and consequently pumps 3-4 times a week just sitting at the dock. I was running through those Rule float switches at regular intervals, due to the high amperage current running through the float switch whenever the pump was running. The solution is to put a relay (not sure if that is the right term) in line with the pump. The float activates the 12 volt side of the relay only; the other side of the relay activates the pump. I got the relay (12 volt one side; 120v the other) and a box for it at Radio Shack - probably less than $8.00 for everything. Haven't had to replace that float switch for over two years! At 10:57 AM 09/06/2001 -0400, you wrote: >My bilge pump float switch has stopped working and I need a replacement. >It is one of the Rule-a-matic float switches that seem to be so common. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> M/V Sanderling Email: rmcleran@ix.netcom.com Hampton 35 Trawler Currently docked: Pt. Patience Marina, Solomons, MD

S

steve@adagiomarine.com

Thu, Sep 6, 2001 6:22 PM

on 9/7/01 0:57, Courtenay James at jcj@chattanooga.net wrote:

I was considering the more expensive Ultra Pumpswitch which received a
good write up in Practical Sailor, but at that price difference I could
replace the Rule switch 4 times!

How much is your boat worth? That is the most popular switch amongst the
cruising community down here. In lots of cases it has been installed after
skipper got tired of flippy-switch failures. We have seven of them.

Pesonally, I also recommend a central alarm panel which will alert the on
watch of water intrusion in any of the bilge pump (switch) areas. Enertec in
NZ has a low-cost annunciator panel shipping now that suits that job, as
well as alarms for sea-water flow sensors, etc.

Cheers,

Steve

on 9/7/01 0:57, Courtenay James at jcj@chattanooga.net wrote: > I was considering the more expensive Ultra Pumpswitch which received a > good write up in Practical Sailor, but at that price difference I could > replace the Rule switch 4 times! How much is your boat worth? That is the most popular switch amongst the cruising community down here. In lots of cases it has been installed after skipper got tired of flippy-switch failures. We have seven of them. Pesonally, I also recommend a central alarm panel which will alert the on watch of water intrusion in any of the bilge pump (switch) areas. Enertec in NZ has a low-cost annunciator panel shipping now that suits that job, as well as alarms for sea-water flow sensors, etc. Cheers, Steve

R

rossflem@serv.net

Thu, Sep 6, 2001 7:07 PM

On Thu, 06 Sep 2001 10:57:50 -0400, Courtenay James
jcj@chattanooga.net wrote:

My bilge pump float switch has stopped working and I need a replacement.

Does anybody have experience with the Jabsco pneumatic switches? They
keep all the wiring out of the bilge and are not subject to the same
mechanical stresses as a float switch.

See http://www.jabsco.com/accbilg.asp:
4. HYDRO AIR SWITCH
Designed to give real peace of mind and reliability. Rising bilge
water pressurises air in the bell and tube to activate the diaphragm
switch. The Hydro Air Switch comes preset to switch the bilge pump or
alarm on when the water reaches 50mm (2") and off again when it drops
below 13mm (1/2"). It can also be adjusted to suit individual needs.

Part number: 34875-0000 12/24V

Ross Fleming rossflem@serv.net
Seattle, WA

On Thu, 06 Sep 2001 10:57:50 -0400, Courtenay James <jcj@chattanooga.net> wrote: >My bilge pump float switch has stopped working and I need a replacement. Does anybody have experience with the Jabsco pneumatic switches? They keep all the wiring out of the bilge and are not subject to the same mechanical stresses as a float switch. See http://www.jabsco.com/accbilg.asp: 4. HYDRO AIR SWITCH Designed to give real peace of mind and reliability. Rising bilge water pressurises air in the bell and tube to activate the diaphragm switch. The Hydro Air Switch comes preset to switch the bilge pump or alarm on when the water reaches 50mm (2") and off again when it drops below 13mm (1/2"). It can also be adjusted to suit individual needs. Part number: 34875-0000 12/24V ___________________________________________________ Ross Fleming rossflem@serv.net Seattle, WA

S

scaramouche@tvo.org

Sat, Sep 8, 2001 2:14 PM

jcj@chattanooga.net writes:

Does anyone have a suggestion or
experience to share?

Just replaced my bilge switch with a Mayfare (sp?). Since it carries
a 5 year guarantee, there must be something good about it. My old
switch had become intermittant and gets a lot of use since i have a
substantial stuffing box leak. Have to pull boat to get at it or find
a 4.5 ft midget with mechanical abilities ....

George of Scaramouche, Lake Ontario, Canada

jcj@chattanooga.net writes: > Does anyone have a suggestion or >experience to share? Just replaced my bilge switch with a Mayfare (sp?). Since it carries a 5 year guarantee, there must be something good about it. My old switch had become intermittant and gets a lot of use since i have a substantial stuffing box leak. Have to pull boat to get at it or find a 4.5 ft midget with mechanical abilities .... George of Scaramouche, Lake Ontario, Canada

trawlers@lists.trawlering.com

TWL: which switch? (bilge pump that is)