Looking for recommendations and/or feedback from anyone that is using a Neputunian Sky Bilge B Dry system, SEAFLO Dry Bilge System or similar set up in their boats. I have a 330 Express and am aware that these boats typically have some level of water in the bilge but I'd love to minimize it as much as possible. Thanks!
Bilge B Dry - SeaFlo Dry Bilge
- Thread starter mg1826
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I was not familiar with this type of system so I did some research on the Seaflo Dry Bilge product. Being the devil's advocate as I tend to be, I have reservations about this type of product when run in the automatic mode. My concerns may not apply to your case specifically if you have a battery maintainer running on the battery that would power the product. I would assume that that battery or battery bank would be the same as the regular bilge pump uses.
When operating the pump will draw power from the battery ( there probably is also some standby power that runs the timer but I can't find that spec in the documentation).
The pump does not sense water but rather runs once or more times per day for a predetermined amount of time. If your house batteries are not on a charger and the boat lays idle for longish periods of time, my concern is that the product will eventually run down the house battery. It draws a reasonable amount of current when running. The amount of time it needs to run is proportional to how much water it needs to pump out. I suspect the flow rate will be a lot less than a typical bilge pump.
Optionally it can be configured as manual operation where you turn it on and off as you see fit. In that mode, it should be wired to a switched feed and not a constant feed like an automatic pump.
The install needs power of course' a through hull for it's outflow to go through' and a suitable place to place the pickup.
It kind of doesn't seem to be a necessity but to be honest I can understand the annoyance of always having some water in the bilge.
When operating the pump will draw power from the battery ( there probably is also some standby power that runs the timer but I can't find that spec in the documentation).
The pump does not sense water but rather runs once or more times per day for a predetermined amount of time. If your house batteries are not on a charger and the boat lays idle for longish periods of time, my concern is that the product will eventually run down the house battery. It draws a reasonable amount of current when running. The amount of time it needs to run is proportional to how much water it needs to pump out. I suspect the flow rate will be a lot less than a typical bilge pump.
Optionally it can be configured as manual operation where you turn it on and off as you see fit. In that mode, it should be wired to a switched feed and not a constant feed like an automatic pump.
The install needs power of course' a through hull for it's outflow to go through' and a suitable place to place the pickup.
It kind of doesn't seem to be a necessity but to be honest I can understand the annoyance of always having some water in the bilge.
Sardinia306Canyon
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Yep,
surprisingly Seaflo did not add (or did not specify) the electronics to sense if pump is running free or pumping ans many other bilge pumps successfully do. The usual system that pump start pumping every xxx minutes for a few second and senses if pump is pumping works very well and is more safe than the floats.
As you stated, probably not a good idea for any boat what is not hanging on shore power and battery charger/tender as it may drain the battery.
I have many Seaflo membrane pumps and they do very well for the price, but this bilge dry system has a design flaw.
The Whale SuperSub Smart is a low profile bilge pump without float but water sensing and she can suck up water to a very low level.
Chris
I too have a 330 and built the do it yourself system in this video. My bilge is dry as a bone with this.
I had an extra switch at the helm panel and can activate the pump manually anytime. Mine is not automatic though that can be done. The system works great. I have two pickups basically right underneath the generator. After some experimentation, I found using smaller diameter clear hose is best. I think it might be 1/8" ID but I don't exactly remember.
I have the water exit come out of the lowest rod holder hole back at the starboard stern. The bilge water dumps out near the cockpit drain there. The scotch pad filters need to be cleaned 3-4X per year as they collect alot of small debris down there (which I think is a good thing). Additionally, I zip tied a couple of 4 ounce torpedo lead weights to the top of the plastic light switch panel to ensure the sponge pick up does not float in the bilge water. The lead weights also keep the pickups from moving around down there.
The pump + hose, fittings, wire, etc, will all cost under $80 total I think. I actually have two pumps now wired together so I can remove water in another section of the bilge. Good luck if you go this route.
I had an extra switch at the helm panel and can activate the pump manually anytime. Mine is not automatic though that can be done. The system works great. I have two pickups basically right underneath the generator. After some experimentation, I found using smaller diameter clear hose is best. I think it might be 1/8" ID but I don't exactly remember.
I have the water exit come out of the lowest rod holder hole back at the starboard stern. The bilge water dumps out near the cockpit drain there. The scotch pad filters need to be cleaned 3-4X per year as they collect alot of small debris down there (which I think is a good thing). Additionally, I zip tied a couple of 4 ounce torpedo lead weights to the top of the plastic light switch panel to ensure the sponge pick up does not float in the bilge water. The lead weights also keep the pickups from moving around down there.
The pump + hose, fittings, wire, etc, will all cost under $80 total I think. I actually have two pumps now wired together so I can remove water in another section of the bilge. Good luck if you go this route.
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Put a bilge be dry in my 330, ran it through the wire chase at the back of the small cabin, has options to run daily 2-20 min or manually on/off. I have it setup on a monster lithium I have hooked to inverter. Very little draw, bildge b dry won’t empty a lot fast but will keep it down.
Thanks for all the great feedback. My 330 is in a slip with shore power and a battery maintainer is connected to my batteries.
These products would be great if some kind of sensor was built in to know when water is detected and when it’s dry.
I do currently have low profile auto bilge pumps that work well but they need an inch or two of water before they start pumping. I typically use a small hand pump/sponge/cup/etc to get the remaining water out but that gets old quickly.
I have access to dealer pricing on the Bilge B Dry units so I might give it a try, obviously with the understanding of its limitations and actual capabilities. I’m looking at it more of a convenience amenity to help out with the annoying low bilge water.
I do keep the A/C always running while docked at the slip and the drain from the A/C can sometimes cause a little water build up in the bilge so I’m hoping this might help mitigate that as well.
Probably a coin toss at the end of the day whether or not it’s actually worth the $$
These products would be great if some kind of sensor was built in to know when water is detected and when it’s dry.
I do currently have low profile auto bilge pumps that work well but they need an inch or two of water before they start pumping. I typically use a small hand pump/sponge/cup/etc to get the remaining water out but that gets old quickly.
I have access to dealer pricing on the Bilge B Dry units so I might give it a try, obviously with the understanding of its limitations and actual capabilities. I’m looking at it more of a convenience amenity to help out with the annoying low bilge water.
I do keep the A/C always running while docked at the slip and the drain from the A/C can sometimes cause a little water build up in the bilge so I’m hoping this might help mitigate that as well.
Probably a coin toss at the end of the day whether or not it’s actually worth the $$
Kind of a side point/question here... MG, are you saying that the AC drain pan is plumbed directly to the bilge? I'm surprised that Grady does that instead of running it to a small, sealed sump box that then pumps directly overboard. Some other boat brands do that. Often the shower drain and sometimes other sink drains are routed to that, as well (if they're not high enough to be plumbed direct overboard.
Google for "boat sump box"
Google for "boat sump box"
Hi Dennis, the A/C drain pan is plumbed to the head/shower box but I do get some leakage into the bilge at times. I'm planning on cleaning out the AC drain pan and replacing the drain lines over the winter.
Oh, good. I'm glad to hear that you at least have a box. It could be that it's the box/fittings that are leaking? Maybe try just filling it up while observing it - if you haven't already done so, of course.
I can appreciate the want of a dry bilge!
So it looks like the people at Bilge B Dry listened to all the concerns and feedback. It will be interesting to see exactly what the updates will be and what the "optional connection to a helm or float switch" will look like.
I just instaled the new bilge b dry on my 36 after a buddy told me bout it. Since the install my bilge has been really dry and i connected the pump to a switch. i may change the conneciton once they come out with the water sensor this summer. Ive never been able to get all the water out of my bilge so the cost is worth it so far.
Thanks for the feedback. What model/how many pick ups did you go with and where did put them?