Rule Mate auto sensing bilge pump 500 gph

[Potcake boy]

Has anyone had experience with this pump? Mine has not been turning off after water is pumped out while on automatic setting. If I switch it to manual then back to auto it resets, but while I was away it turned on and ran my battery down. I removed and inspected it but found no apparent reason for the malfunction. The automatic function is provided by a "water sensor" which is enclosed in a plastic box and not accessible. I now have it soaking in vinegar but not sure that will solve it's problem. Any experience that yo might share would be appreciated.

[Vectordirector]

Hi Ron,

I have nothing of experience with bilge pumps other than the ones that were on my World Cat which were autos, not sure of the manufacturer as I sold the boat without ever looking at them.  The boat survived two summers of Punta Gorda rain without a problem and was then sold due to lack of use.

Take a look at "the hull truth", thehulltruth.com  web site.  Powerboat centric but some really good seamanship information.  There are multiple threads there about bilge pumps and their care and feeding. 

Without searching for it I seem to remember something about those internal water sensors not working well and the recommended pumps had the external water sensing switches. 

Good luck,

Vectordirector

[brackish]

I can't help you either, I added a 12V bilge pump but it is the old style with a float switch.  I've never had one of those fail, and in the case of my 23 it only runs when I test it, I've never had any water in the bilge to pump out unless I put it there on purpose.  But then I don't have an inboard.  Essential you have reliability with that.

I did notice when I was doing some shopping for some other things the sensor style bilge pumps seemed to have a lot of negative reviews for the failure you are describing.  You might see if you can get back to Rule directly, see what they can tell you, sure they don't want all the negative reviews.  Maybe they have a fix.

[Bristol14]

I had a Rule pump with an automatic sensor on my old Bristol Corinthian. Ran without any issues. It's important to have a check valve in place otherwise the water runs back into the bilge and turns the pump on again. The sensors are very sensitive, probably more than a float switch.

[Potcake boy]

Bristol14 ,

Thanks for the point about having a check valve, it does. It soaked in vinegar for a couple of days, now it's back in place. I'll wait for an actual pumping event to check it's operation. I guess the water sensor eliminated float switch problems, but introduced their own bad habits. As was mentioned, it can always be used in manual mode, and there is very little water intrusion when it's at the dock and the motor is off.

Wishing all you polar bears some weather relief sooner than later.