*THE HULL TRUTH is the world's largest FREE network for the discussion of Boating & Fishing. Whether you're researching a new boat, or are a seasoned Captain, you'll find The Hull Truth Boating & Fishing Message Forum contains a wealth of information from Boaters and Sportfishermen around the world.
Welcome to the updated THT!
If you are having trouble signing in, please email feedback@thehulltruth.com with your username and we will help you. We thank you for your patience as we help you access the new site!
Random Quote: win some, loose some, and some go home on busses
My float external float switch and my Rule 11000 bilge bump have called it quits, and I was looking for opinions on the automatic bilge pumps. My understanding is that the automatic ones kick on every couple minutes, and if they sense water they pump out. My old pump had an external float switch, that ran the pump when it lifted.
Does anyone have any opinions between the two systems? I am curious if the automatic bilge will wear down the batteries with its contant check function.
I am about to keep my boat (parker 18) in a slip for the first time, and want to be sure it remains afloat.
I currently have the seperate float switch, but on my last boat I had the same plus the Rule Plat. that checks for water and pumps if any is sensed. It worked so well that my larger pump never came on. No problem with batt. drain either, as it only senses for a second.
Since my boat stays in a slip, I just installed one of the Rulemates with a built in float switch as a second bilge pump. So far I like it better than the external float switch type because of the easy installation and maintenance. I have never tried the water sensing type. It is probably just me, but I don't trust anything based on electronic sensing that has to live in the bilge. Besides, I can understand how a float switch works.
I have the bilge pump that turns on automatically every minute. It has a draw sensor that when it draws over 3 amps (I think) it will run until the amp draw drops.
no more float switch getting stuck or the contacts sticking.
I like it.
See the Marsh, Smell the Marsh, Feel the marsh, BE THE MARSH!
I've tried them all and I went back to the old super switch. The computer water samplers are cool, but I am suspicious of them, also they are noisy if you're trying to sleep.
Do yourself a favor. Look for a Lovett pump. They are automatic (built in float switch)and the most reliable pump I've ever seen. I have one as my main pump, and a Rule with a Sure bail switch as a back up. The Sure Bail is probably the most reliable float switch I've seen.I mounted the Sure Bail on a bracket 4" above the bottom of the bilge. I also wired an alarm to the Sure Bail so I know if there is a problem.
the "little" 500 gph rule in the forward bilge is self contained, no float switch and checks for water every 3 mins. Does a great job, the 2000 gph with float in the stern does not come on. I like little guy, very reliable. Used to have 15 gallons in the forward bilge until I installed the 500, now only half a quart of water.
i would echo shark here....i too got a fully
integrated rule 2000...it went dead in a year
and the noise was noticeable at night!...no
battery issue at all...i went back to the old
conventional switch in my (free from rule)
replacement pump...the sure-bail is a fine
pump switch, but i got rid of mine first thing
because you cant test it!!...same can be said
of the integrated units...before each trip, when
i am checking the fluids on the engine, i flip
the switch, see that the thing pumps....i like
that...my motto:in god we trust, the rest we
check. dan
Bilge Pump....Automatic vs External Float switch 
I have the bilge pump that turns on automatically every minute. It has a draw sensor that when it draws over 3 amps (I think) it will run until the amp draw drops.
