Whale 650 Diaphragm Pump

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Pgutierrez's picture
Pgutierrez
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Joined: 5/14/12
Posts: 231
Whale 650 Diaphragm Pump

I am thinking of purchasing a diaphragm pump to install in the bilge.
Under strong consideration is the Whale 650 model because of low intake design, less prone to clogging, has built in reverse flow preventer valve.  Comments would be appreciated.
http://www.whalepumps.com/marine/siteFiles/resources/docs/resource-library/datasheets/SupersubSmartRangeDatasheet.pdf(link is external)

(link is external)

Thank you.(link is external)

peter g

2000 C36, MK2, Hull. #1897
wonderful, wonderful, wonderful ! ! !.   5 th Catalina

 

 

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Chachere
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Joined: 10/27/10
Posts: 826

Peter -
I looked into it at one point but if I recall the dimensions didn't seem to work for the bilge layout in our boat (because of the keel bolts).

There are some arguments against check valves (prone to clogging), which you can find in prior threads on the bilge pump issue.

One other caution -- while on the general subject -- is that if your autopilot compass is located in the area be mindful of potential interference.  I moved one of our two bilge pumps a few years ago into the middle of the three bilge chambers and then started having autopilot issues, turned out the pump was affecting it so I had to relocate back to the after chamber. 

If you do install this pump, let us know how it works out.  It does look like it has some nice design features (tbe centrifical pumps leave a lot of water....)
 

Matthew Chachère
s/v ¡Que Chévere!
(Formerly 1985 C36 MKI #466 tall rig fin keel M25)
2006 Catalina Morgan 440 #30.
Homeported in eastern Long Island, NY

Pgutierrez's picture
Pgutierrez
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Joined: 5/14/12
Posts: 231

Matt, I installed a back flow preventer 3-4 years ago, purchased at West Marine. I do clean it out in the fall at haul out.  No issues with clogging (and our hairy 60# dog deposits hair everywhere).  Most likely going to buy the 650 unit. 

peter g

2000 C36, MK2, Hull. #1897
wonderful, wonderful, wonderful ! ! !.   5 th Catalina

 

 

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Parsons's picture
Parsons
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Posts: 95

I was thinking about installing a small diaphragm pump as a first-use nuisance water pump myself. I was going to use the Floject Quad II sold for under $150 as it was relatively low volume.  I've got a dripless stuffing box, so have very little water, but I like to keep it as dry as possible.

I'm surprised you're thinking about installing it in the bilge at all. The nice thing about diaphragm pumps is that they can draw a suction so you can mount it above the bilge.  You could mount this is the rear lazarette, and just run the intake hose to your bilge area, similar to how your manual bilge pump is run. 

John Parsons
"Water Music" 1999 Catalina 36 Mk II - Hull 1771
Tall Rig, Fin Keel
Bay City, MI, USA

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Catboat Willy
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Joined: 12/22/14
Posts: 387

Peter;
I see by reading the spec's on this pump, that it uses 'electronic water sensing technology'  We had a 'Whale' pump in the bilge with the same 'technology' and replaced it with a more traditional model. The problem was that the' water sensing device' requires that the pump turn-on once every one minute period.
 The pump starts to run, then when the pump sees no water (or current being drawn) - turns itself off. This cycling was a real bother when trying to sleep in the salon. The clicking on and off all night was enough to kill a good nights sleep in a quiet cove........

Bill Dolan 1990 Catalina C-36 MKI - Hull #1041  'Williwaw'
Std. Rig, Walk Through, Wing Keel
M35, Oberdorfer Conversion,
Home Waters; Charlotte  Harbor & The Gulf Islands of Florida
'You are never out of work if you own a boat'

 

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