bilge pump switch

I have long been dissatisfied with the float-type bilge pump switch on my Cal 31. The shallow bilge means that the amount of water pumped out between when the switch turns the pump on and when it turns the pump off is very small, and most of that backflows into the bilge when the pump is turned off. This could be helped by a check valve, but that would be difficult to install and would degrade the performance of the pump in an emergency. Further, once the bilge level has risen to near where the switch will activate, normal rocking of the boat will slosh the bilge and cause the pump to cycle on and off, thus putting an unnecessary load on the battery and pump. Both of these adverse effects can be reduced by running the pump manually until it will pump no more water out, but the basic problems remain. I heard of bilge pumps and switches that incorporate a delay in turning on (to address sloshing) and/or off (to pump out all the water). After an internet search, I settled on the WaterWitch electronic switch, which incorporates an 8-second on-delay and a 15-second off-delay. I installed it recently, and thus far I am very pleased. The switch does use power in its standby mode, but, according to the company's info, I figure that it would take over 10 days to use 1 amp-hour from the battery. The usual disclaimers, etc. Harleigh Ewell

Harleigh, I wish I would have heard of that delay switch for my Cal-31 When I bought my boat last year he said "it has a new bilge pump" anything "New" always raises a red flag with me. the pump was in a constant on-off cycle as the amount of water to fill the hose to the stern was just enough to turn the pump on again so it was pumping the same water into the hose, turn off, backflow, turn on again. I did go with a flapper valve (no spring) the force of the water trapped in the hose keeps it closed so I have almost no loss in flow caused buy spring induced back pressure. The one thing I do like is no additional switch to fail for a critical pump I am gussing it is a solidstate switch? when it does fail will it just remove the timming aspect and return to "normal" with activation by the float switch? Kevin O Kona Cal-31 Las Vegas Harleigh Ewell <he… [at] comcast.net> wrote: I have long been dissatisfied with the float-type bilge pump switch on my Cal 31. The shallow bilge means that the amount of water pumped out between when the switch turns the pump on and when it turns the pump off is very small, and most of that backflows into the bilge when the pump is turned off. This could be helped by a check valve, but that would be difficult to install and would degrade the performance of the pump in an emergency. Further, once the bilge level has risen to near where the switch will activate, normal rocking of the boat will slosh the bilge and cause the pump to cycle on and off, thus putting an unnecessary load on the battery and pump. Both of these adverse effects can be reduced by running the pump manually until it will pump no more water out, but the basic problems remain. I heard of bilge pumps and switches that incorporate a delay in turning on (to address sloshing) and/or off (to pump out all the water). After an internet search, I settled on the WaterWitch electronic switch, which incorporates an 8-second on-delay and a 15-second off-delay. I installed it recently, and thus far I am very pleased. The switch does use power in its standby mode, but, according to the company’s info, I figure that it would take over 10 days to use 1 amp-hour from the battery. The usual disclaimers, etc. Harleigh Ewell

Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] bilge pump switch (Harleigh) Harleigh, I wish I would have heard of that delay switch for my Cal-31 . . . . The one thing I do like is no additional switch to fail for a critical pump I am gussing it is a solidstate switch? [Yes.] when it does fail will it just remove the timming aspect and return to "normal" with activation by the float switch? [I don't know whether the timing aspect can fail separately from the on/off function, but the float switch is no longer installed.] Kevin O Harleigh

Harleigh, If you removed the float switch what activates the timer? Has to be some type of sensor? KO Harleigh Ewell <he… [at] comcast.net> wrote: -----Original Message----- Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] bilge pump switch (Harleigh) Harleigh, I wish I would have heard of that delay switch for my Cal-31 . . . . The one thing I do like is no additional switch to fail for a critical pump I am gussing it is a solidstate switch? [Yes.] when it does fail will it just remove the timming aspect and return to "normal" with activation by the float switch? [I don’t know whether the timing aspect can fail separately from the on/off function, but the float switch is no longer installed.] Kevin O Harleigh

There is a metal disk on the body of the WaterWitch and a metal mounting tab. When both are contacted by water, the start timing starts, and when one is uncovered, the stop timing starts. HE From: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com [mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Kevin O Sent: Friday, July 11, 2008 2:59 PM To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Subject: RE: [Cal_Boats] bilge pump switch (Harleigh) Harleigh, If you removed the float switch what activates the timer? Has to be some type of sensor? KO Harleigh Ewell <he… [at] comcast.net> wrote: Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] bilge pump switch (Harleigh) Harleigh, I wish I would have heard of that delay switch for my Cal-31 . . . . The one thing I do like is no additional switch to fail for a critical pump I am gussing it is a solidstate switch? [Yes.] when it does fail will it just remove the timming aspect and return to "normal" with activation by the float switch? [I don't know whether the timing aspect can fail separately from the on/off function, but the float switch is no longer installed.] Kevin O Harleigh