Lenny3
Active Member
- Mar 19, 2021
- 131
- Boat Info
- 2007 Sea Ray 310 Sundancer
2006 Sea Ray 220 Sundeck (Previous)
- Engines
- Twin 5.7 350 MPI
5.0 Mercruiser Bravo III
I’ll install it over the Thanksgiving weekend and report the results.
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Details, please. Is that a timer we see in the second picture? Or, do you have a moisture sensor in the bilge?
All items purchased from Amazon.
Only have the timer setup for now. You can program it for 1 day or all 7 days or anything in between, 20 times a day on/off. I have it set for 3 days for 8 minutes a day. The timer was $10 bucks and I think a quality and reliable water switch could be $50 bucks so I went with the timer 1st and I can always add the water switch later.
This is was good information for me
https://lifeempirically.com/2018/03/12/build-your-own-diy-arid-bilge-or-dry-bilge-system/
I would think you could tee into one of the scupper deck drain fittings. Those are usually pretty good sized (1"?) which would allow you to drill and thread for a 1/4" barbed fitting to be screwed into it.I would absolutely do this if I had somewhere to run the discharge hose.
That's a good idea. The only thing I'd add to that is to use a short upward loop right off the fitting to avoid some of the deck water "possibly" going down the little tube and back into the bilge.I would think you could tee into one of the scupper deck drain fittings. Those are usually pretty good sized (1"?) which would allow you to drill and thread for a 1/4" barbed fitting to be screwed into it.
... But for $140 for an off the shelf unit, I think I might just buy it. I would have to read up on it, see if its just timer activated, or if a water witch could activate it. ...
I'm not sure a water witch type switch would work for this application. The main purpose to get small amounts of water out of the bilge. The water witch and other field effect switches I've seen turn on at 2" and turn off at 3/4" or 1/2" of water. Seems like you need a much smaller range.I bought a pump planning to make one, but we just finished our basement, and you can guess how many boat projects got worked on lately.
But for $140 for an off the shelf unit, I think I might just buy it. I would have to read up on it, see if its just timer activated, or if a water witch could activate it. Regardless, that might knock one more item off the list.
But to @Lenny3, nice work!!
Really a sweet setup. I like the diaphragm pump as it doesn't require water to cover the inlet/sponge to remove every drop like a centrifugal bilge pump does. It'll pump air just as effectively as water.View attachment 136926 View attachment 136925 Always had water in the bilge between the engines on the 310 so I decided to take a shot at a DIY project I seen online. I plan on plumbing it to the shower sump.
I’ll install it over the Thanksgiving weekend and report the results. View attachment 136924
I do believe that one of my dripless seals is leaking. I have notice water in the bilge ever since I purchased the boat last year. My bilge pumps only remove part of the water. When I take the boat out of the water this January I will address the issue. ThanksThat's a good idea. The only thing I'd add to that is to use a short upward loop right off the fitting to avoid some of the deck water "possibly" going down the little tube and back into the bilge.
Lenny, have you figured out WHY you're constantly getting water down there? In your boat, that should be a dry bilge. Getting water down there means there an issue somewhere. Personally I'd track down the reason rather than using what may be a "band aid". Unless you're talking about water from after washing the bilge? But a big towel can take care of that water.
Sure - it was just a side comment as addressing that would help. But, yeah, regular bilge pumps aren't designed to take it all out. Neat idea!I do believe that one of my dripless seals is leaking. I have notice water in the bilge ever since I purchased the boat last year. My bilge pumps only remove part of the water. When I take the boat out of the water this January I will address the issue. Thanks
This will be installed in my 2007 310 Sundancer with V-drives not my old 2007 Sundeck.......Sure - it was just a side comment as addressing that would help. But, yeah, regular bilge pumps aren't designed to take it all out. Neat idea!
FYI... you don't have dripless seals. You have outdrives. That's why I mentioned that your bilge should be dry.