Automatic Bilge Pumps Yes? No?

crazy4sand

crazy4sand

Location
Vegas
both of my pumps on my surf boat are now broken, before i buy i was thinking about buying the automatic pumps because i'm tired of replaceing switches and i alawys leave em running.

Is their a reason why not too many people run the automatic pumps??
 
slamb33

slamb33

s
Location
NorCal
its just one more thing to rely on that can fail...

if you always leave them running just wire them directly to the battery with an in line fuse and pull the fuse holder apart when you're on shore. the fuse becomes like a switch in that sense, you just need to pull the hood off to access it.
 
djkorn1

djkorn1

kidkornfilms
Site Supporter
Location
Cleveland Ohio
I've ran one from back in 1998 and it still works perfect. Get a RULEMATE 750. You will not be disappointed, they are perfect. ALWAYS ON when you need it and ALWAYS OFF when you don't....they have a mini pingpong ball inside them that floats up and turns em on.

YOU WILL NOT REGRET getting this pump. The only downside is it will not fit in a standard rule pump bracket if that is what you have. Do not get the rule automatics that turn on periodically...make sure it is a RULEMATE. The only reason I bought a new one is I upgraded from the 750 to the 1100. (1100 needs a bigger fitting).
 

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OCD Solutions

OCD Solutions

Original, Clean and Dependable Solutions
Location
Rentz, GA
All switches fail at some point, including the little automatic one in those pumps.

I will only endorse 3 switches, (3 types of switches anyways).
1) Rotary Switch (such as the ones Blowsion and others sell.)
2) Military grade toggle switch (such as the ones I sell bare or build my Surf Armor switches from.)
3) CPI Military grade Rocker switch for handle bar mounting. (Do not be fooled, there are two distinct versions of this switch and one is garbage. Blowsion seems to be selling the cheaper version for the last few years.) The first one I had was military spec and lasted for well over 7 years. I went thru 2 replacements from blowsion in less than a year before making the switch to rotaries.

I have no direct experience with the auto bilges so I can't comment on durability. If I was to install one, I would want the ability to override it to run manually or turn it off for storage so I would end up installing a rotary switch and defeating the whole purpose anyways.
 
D-Nice

D-Nice

flap dem wings johnny!
Location
hammonton, new jersey
i wouldnt use it in ocean, maybe non salt water though. never used an auto but i could imagine any lil bit of sand/salt water messen up that float switch.
 
chasingdaylight

chasingdaylight

Location
dunedin, florida
i also hated switches going bad. i run a wire on my positive post of the battery to a marine type fuse just connect it up right befor riding and leave it on for the day.. I use the yellow bullet rubber/ plastic butt style type ones from west marine they last a long time. if you do this make sure when you unplug it the fuse always says to one side of the connector (male side) . make sure the side that goes to the battery of the connector is the female side of the connector that way it that side can stay connected to the battery at all times not making the mistake of grounding out the connector.. ps marine fueses last longer
 
227

227

Its all about the surf!
Location
Oceanside, CA
With an auto how do you know if your bilge is working unless you stick a hose in your engine comp before your ride or get out in the water and discover it hasn't kicked in, in a while? In overhead surf that could be a big mistake. Besides, Auto bilge pumps have a switch (that can go out) just like a manual set up does, it's just they're automatic. If you're too lazy to roll your thumb up and hit a manual button, this may not be the sport for you.
 
davy87nj

davy87nj

Location
Santa Maria, CA
Im running an auto bilge that seems to come on every minute or so and when there is water present it runs till there is none. I dont trust it though because after riding in the surf I realized a lot can happen in a minute. I would guess you could run a relay to keep switchs from burning up, but that would be alot of wiring and hardly waterproof.
 
Iland Trader

Iland Trader

Location
Boynton Beach, FL
I know i saw somewhere a switch that was opperated by waterpressure. It is inserted inline to the cooling lines and when the engine is on and the pump is cooling the motor its making contact. no experience with it. I just leave mine on when riding but do have it on a waterproof switch. I ride almost all salt and have had good luck with the watcon switches (they are milspec, made by EATON mfg- a defense name) they have not let me down.
 
JetJunky

JetJunky

Location
Ontario CA
I ride freshwater and salt water with a water witch automatic switch that came with my ski and it's never let me down and I've had it over 4 years. I just disconnet it at the end of the day.
 
WET BOX

WET BOX

STL Crew
Location
STL
djkorn1 said:
I've ran one from back in 1998 and it still works perfect. Get a RULEMATE 750. You will not be disappointed, they are perfect. ALWAYS ON when you need it and ALWAYS OFF when you don't....they have a mini pingpong ball inside them that floats up and turns em on.

YOU WILL NOT REGRET getting this pump. The only downside is it will not fit in a standard rule pump bracket if that is what you have. Do not get the rule automatics that turn on periodically...make sure it is a RULEMATE. The only reason I bought a new one is I upgraded from the 750 to the 1100. (1100 needs a bigger fitting).

Click to expand...



This is absolutely true. I run the same setup. No issues since 2006. You can still put a switch on the rulemates is you can't resist.

later
 
djkorn1

djkorn1

kidkornfilms
Site Supporter
Location
Cleveland Ohio
djkorn1 said:
I've ran one from back in 1998 and it still works perfect. Get a RULEMATE 750. You will not be disappointed, they are perfect. ALWAYS ON when you need it and ALWAYS OFF when you don't....they have a mini pingpong ball inside them that floats up and turns em on.

YOU WILL NOT REGRET getting this pump. The only downside is it will not fit in a standard rule pump bracket if that is what you have. Do not get the rule automatics that turn on periodically...make sure it is a RULEMATE. The only reason I bought a new one is I upgraded from the 750 to the 1100. (1100 needs a bigger fitting).
Click to expand...

227 said:
With an auto how do you know if your bilge is working unless you stick a hose in your engine comp before your ride or get out in the water and discover it hasn't kicked in, in a while? In overhead surf that could be a big mistake. Besides, Auto bilge pumps have a switch (that can go out) just like a manual set up does, it's just they're automatic. If you're too lazy to roll your thumb up and hit a manual button, this may not be the sport for you.
Click to expand...

They ALWAYS work, ALWAYS. Never had or seen one fail, EVER. I ran the same one for 13 years, did not fail once...ski has been full of sand, salt water, never fails. If you want to see if they work, just let a little water in at the ramps. IT WILL WORK. The switches ALWAYS fail. Nobody has ran a switch as long as I've ran my pump without it failing and having to replace it. How many skis have sank tied to a dock (hundreds) ............not mine.

D-Nice said:
i wouldnt use it in ocean, maybe non salt water though. never used an auto but i could imagine any lil bit of sand/salt water messen up that float switch.
Click to expand...

Nope. You could imagine it, but you'd be wrong.

WET BOX said:
This is absolutely true. I run the same setup. No issues since 2006. You can still put a switch on the rulemates is you can't resist.

later
Click to expand...
Yep, everyone who runs them never goes back. Do not get the AUTOMATIC RULE, get the RULEMATE and you will not be disappointed.
 
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