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Dry bilge Solutions

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by Danvilletim, Aug 5, 2021.

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  1. Danvilletim

    Danvilletim Senior Member

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    Looking for ideas in keep bilges on larger boats dry. We Have 6 bilges W rule 3700. Always 1 - 2” of water which is a bit annoying. I’ve seen some dry bilge alt pump systems but that could be a lot of pipe/ wire running. Ideas for a dry bilge?
  2. CaboFly

    CaboFly Member

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    I have a 3 gallon rigid shop vac with orange pro hose that I use in my stern and mid bilge every couple months. Fwd bilge never has a drop and that is where shower sump is which I think is pretty incredible. Other two I can get about a gallon that accumulates from OCD wash down with fresh water.
    TahoeJohn likes this.
  3. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Problem with the Rule pumps, They can never get the last of the water out. AND, the back wash from the discharge hose always returns.
    You can put a check valve (that rarely works) to keep the back wash out but the Rule is still not a low pick up pump.

    When your ready for some lower bilge levels, you are going to install some small diaphragm pumps.
    I still use the Par/Jabsco 330 diaphragm pump in our engine room sump. The Big Rule mounted rite behind it with it's float switch about 1" higher.
    The Diaphragm pump has a low water pick up that draws down real nice. Nicer when I manually pump.
    If the low water pick up pump fails, the big rule kicks in, also connected to our dash lights.
    A third float switch for high water alarms wakes all in 1/4 mile.
    I was going to install a PM electronic timed switch but decided on less complication.

    Then there is the Arid Real Low Water bilge pumps.
    https://www.aridbilgesystems.com/
    When your bilge just collects condensation, this is the micro water monster. It is lost past a quart (if that) per hour, but for static lil puddles, it picks it up.
    I have installed a few of these for our rather un-real customers. They say they are happy. I know they are liars.
    It picks up just so much. Lost and over whelmed by even a small A/C condensate runoff.
    But, on other bilges that it really is hull skin sweat, Bone dry....

    I think you will enjoy running a complete wire & hose systems with a diaphragm pump to get real low water.

    Depco Pump got tight with a euro company and designed new diaphragm pump. Look at there lil Gianneschi pumps.
    Maybe a lil tall for a mini pump and could replace your mid sized pumps.

    I installed one for a aft pick up in a ole Whiticar SF, wow it kept that bilge water down, under way, at rest and fighting fish.

    Move into a trailer park and drill some drain holes.
    In reality, it's a boat. It's wet on both sides.
    :D:D:D:D
    TahoeJohn likes this.
  4. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    I ve been thinking about setting up a 5 gal shop vac, with a manifold and hoses permanently routed to various bilges. Emptying it could done with a valve mounted at the bottom of the bucket either draining directly overboard or to a shower sump. A bit redneckish but would work.
    TahoeJohn likes this.
  5. ocgrant

    ocgrant New Member

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  6. Slimshady

    Slimshady Senior Member

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    We've used the arid bilge dry for nearly 4 years. Been happy with it and boat stays very dry.
  7. Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    Installed this little 12 volt sump-pump a few years ago: (upper left corner)
    It sucks from the bottom of a forward bilge and discharges the water into the shower box where it gets pumped overboard by an another 12 volt pump.
    Works good and sturdy: Left it on overnight by mistake, it ran dry for 8+ hours and kept working forever after. :cool:
    5903D571-A72B-408C-A9DE-6FCB58340036.jpeg
    rocdiver and bayoubud like this.
  8. mapism

    mapism Senior Member

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    That's impressive!
    Can't see the brand/model from your photo, do you mind telling us?
    And do you possibly know if there is also a 24V version?
  9. Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    Looks like this one only comes as a 12 volt pump.

    EACABFD9-52A9-4FD4-ADE2-F14002502979.png
  10. Danvilletim

    Danvilletim Senior Member

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    Looks like some good diy solutions!
  11. BRyachts

    BRyachts Member

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    I've used the Arid units before. During the install/setup/operation I got to know the company principal pretty good. If I ever had an issue I could call or email and they'd talk me thru the issue. This was on a 120'. They make different sizes, depending on your needs. They do require some occasional maintenance/cleaning but other than that run quietly 24/7 in the background and cycle whenever needed.
  12. Danvilletim

    Danvilletim Senior Member

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    I can’t believe the price on those arid systems. Yikes.
  13. MBevins

    MBevins Senior Member

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    That's why these DIY solutions make more sense, for less than $200 you can cobble your own system together. We've got to remember, the pump is not critical so any cheap pump works.
  14. mapism

    mapism Senior Member

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    Interesting anyway, thanks for sharing it.
    I must say it's the sort of thing that normally I would dismiss an cheap chinese cr@p, but your experience on its reliability is remarkable enough to consider it!
  15. Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    Yeah, pretty impressed with this little pump, it keeps on going like the energizer bunny, but it does not like to get wet: During the head/tank/plumbing surgery a few months ago the tech mistakenly turned a forward bilge pump to OFF instead of AUTO, or pulled a breaker, fuse or something the little pump got wet and died.
    Strictly on a manual and guarded switch on a head bulkhead:
    2044565A-9655-448E-B73A-56D20D0AE27C.jpeg 31A85FFB-A309-4929-894F-533138AE142D.jpeg
  16. SplashFl

    SplashFl Active Member

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    So your little set up is strictly manual on-off with no float switch ?
  17. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    The arrid systems work......on boats with generally dry bilges.......but really some brands are never meant to and will never have a dry bilge......Sunseekers never have dry engine room bilges for example, and there's nothing wrong with that.
    rocdiver likes this.
  18. Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    For the Sump Pump yes, but of course the 3 primary bilge pumps are on Auto at all times.
    I am however on the run pretty much every day and if we had rain, I flip the switch and empty the bilge.
    I have considered hooking up a float switch to the Sump Pump, but due to the V-shape of the bilge, I can’t get a float far enough down to be any useful.
    In the meantime, I am Mr. Auto Switch. :cool:
  19. MBevins

    MBevins Senior Member

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    What's common on these "dry bilge" systems us to have a manual switch along with auto based on a timer and not a float. You set a timer to run for X minutes every 24hours. Use a 3/8" pickup hose with a light sponge or some kind of filter.
    Once you know your requirements simple adjust the timers as required.
    And drainage into a shower sump is pretty common.
  20. mapism

    mapism Senior Member

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    You're saying that as if it were a defect, but in my view that's the best way to connect and control a pump which is only meant to get rid of some residual liquid.
    I mean, it's not a safety thing: there are (hopefully) better and larger auto pumps for that.
    But for the odd occasions when you want to get rid of the last quarter of liquid, it makes sense to do it manually, because you can visually check what's going on, while you are at that.