When rain water gets in my bilge, which happens after any hard rain, the bilge pump sucks down until it is losing suction. Water flowback from the discharge line then fills the small bilge compartment to the point where it starts up again in 3-4 minutes. This can go on almost continually. I've replaced the check valve with a new, good quality unit and also substituted a different float switch, which made no difference - both it and the pump seem to be working well. There's just too much flowback for the small sized bilge compartment. I have the normal 'limber holes' between compartments.
Has anyone else encountered/found a fix for this problem?
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Ralph Gorby
S/V Silver Flight, 1991 C36 #1153
M35B (2000)
Member, SNSYC
Victoria, BC
If you raise your float switch it may solve that problem, it did for us on our previous boat. It will allow more water to accumulate before it cycles but it will not trip again from backflow. We only needed to raise it 1/2" to solve the problem.
I ran into a similar problem on my MKII. For me, the float switch was going since the "on/off" connection became very "narrow" and casued "close to" continous running. I replaced the original float switch and the problem went away.
Not sure why this didn't resolve your issue. I do not use a check valve (for fear of the line getting clogged), but you may need to move it closer to the pump.
Jack
Solstice
Hull #1598
1996 MKII/TR/FK - M35AC - 3 Blade MaxProp
Lake Texoma
www.texomasailing.org
Ralph,
I have the same problem as you do. Not only due to rain water (coming down inside the mast) but from the A/C condensation lines, fore and aft that drain into the bildge. I'll be on the boat today and may try shimming the switch up a little to see what happens. I can temporarily stop the problem by leaving the pump full-on for about 15 seconds. more water gets out and then it takes a while for the cycling to start up again.
I'm glad you brought this up.
Sam
Capt. Sam Murphy
1994 Catalina 36, Hull 1327
Shoal draft, two cabin model.
Panama City, Florida
Ralph and Sam,
You could also add a second smaller bilge pump for the nuisance drips:
[URL]http://www.c36ia.com/node/944[/URL]
Tom Sokoloski
C36/375IA Past Commodore
Noank, CT
Tom, I like that idea a lot. Especially the reduntant pumps. I've printed your article and will make that my next project, if something else doesn't break first.
Thanks
Sam
(why is the water in your bildge red?)
Capt. Sam Murphy
1994 Catalina 36, Hull 1327
Shoal draft, two cabin model.
Panama City, Florida
Sam,
The liquid in the bilge isn't water, it's anti-freeze. The picture was taken after the boat was winterized. Us poor slobs north of the Mason-Dixon line have to do that every fall, ya know??? :-)
Tom Sokoloski
C36/375IA Past Commodore
Noank, CT