Looking for small, automatic, bilge sump pump  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: soldar
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2024, 03:12:34 pm
content: I have a swimming pool which has a filter, pump, etc located in a well about 1m square and 1.25m deep. It is a pain to work in there. A real pain. No space to step inside so I have to lie down outside. A real pain.Anyway, the big valve which directs the water here or there, the big dial-like valve drips quite a bit. The pros tell me I need a new valve which means redoing pretty much everything and it is a lot of dough.For some years now I just have a container collect the water so it doesn't just fill the entire well. I have a plastic 25L jerry can lying on its side with the side cut off. It is about 20 cm deep.Every time I need to empty it, which is more and more often, I end up wasting a lot of time with one of those rotary pumps driven by a drill. It is a pain mainly because it does not prime well. I have to take the whole kit from the house to the pool, set it up, prime the pump repeatedly etc. A royal pain.I have thought of putting the pump at the end of a 2m board and driving it with a shaft from the other end so the pump can be submerged but the drill stay clear of the water and comfortable to handle.One option would be a simple hand pump but it needs to be comfortable to use.Another option is I could set up permanently a small, low voltage pump which would start automatically. But I do not know where to start. Ideally a 12V small (tiny) bilge pump with automatic float switch. Anyone have any recommendation?I have used small aquarium pumps before and they do not last long (I guess because I bought cheap ones).Anyway, just looking for ideas to get started. I am looking for the simplest solution because, knowing me, it is difficult to get me started an any project. It just stays on the list forever.

author: Kim Christensen
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2024, 03:23:29 pm
content: Probably the easiest is a 12V bilge pump made for small boats. You can get them with a built in float switch.

author: BrokenYugo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2024, 03:49:58 pm
content: "Rule" is the brand that comes to mind, not cheap but quality boat parts never are.

author: geggi1
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2024, 04:23:41 pm
content: You could get something like this one from Ebay.https://www.ebay.com/itm/125377924193?itmmeta=01HV1TP3TESQA37RVS0K35J4QG&hash=item1d311b4c61:g:41QAAOSwxQhg6F1I&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA4ELDgXVqBYaZNY7%2BjWCO67htgUc7fwnfZqok%2Bz2t%2BwKCbecTncXSAIYnRpYXL5441S%2F9pQ5QSCpySyOMwLi%2FMu92UHy%2FqCAnlRsdKM%2Bw5ezC8hUNo3uJKaCkvnIFFE3i9TG%2BEaOQXDo%2BGeuHxHCyBKIT4x5HH7g0IqTUaUY2kOqm965O76VjEZj2Fg7bLtZY2EnHDsKW78GedbRecgOTu9okuKw9VRtGtMXu3mT7QqgngDLFWEU5JOvR%2Byg1yC3SA2b1ZGJ01c1sWUCNr6oBZf6fz7r%2BljTtaRK%2BRUHL7%2BQe%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR7a92LrYYw

author: johansen
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2024, 07:06:48 pm
content: 120vac condensate pump. They often have alarm float switches too.

author: Benta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2024, 10:19:49 pm
content: Just go to your local DIY/Garden centre and look for submersible pumps.They stand vertically on the bottom of your container and have a float for automatic start/stop.Downside: they're normally 230 V.Upside: prices start at 30 Euros.Example:https://www.ebay.de/itm/255403001155

author: NiHaoMike
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2024, 10:25:12 pm
content: Can you identify exactly where it's leaking and seal it up?

author: Benta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2024, 10:25:44 pm
content: Quote from: johansen on April 09, 2024, 07:06:48 pmNot very useful in the EU.

author: johansen
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 10, 2024, 12:59:40 am
content: Quote from: Benta on April 09, 2024, 10:25:44 pmNo shit. So buy a 240v 50hz version. Probably more of them than there are 120v units

author: soldar
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 27, 2024, 10:17:27 am
content: I have been giving this some thought. I was thinking of buying a 12 v SEAFLO Electric Marine Bilge Pump, 350 or 500 GPH and I might still buy one as it is something always useful to have around.https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FNY3YRT/https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FP85QVB/But then I thought I might be able to use the suction of the main pump itself. With the pump not working the bilge is, naturally at lower level and pressure but with the pump suction it is very possible it will suck the water from the bilge. (red line in the diagram attached) This has the advantage of not needing an extra pump but it requires(1) check valve to ensure water cannot flow in reverse from pump down to the sump(2) valve to shut off the red line and open ONLY when there is water in the sump, otherwise air will get into the systemAll in all an extra pump might make more sense. Safer and simpler.I am still thinking about this.