Model Boat Mayhem

The Shipyard ( Dry Dock ): Builds & Questions => Yachts and Sail => Topic started by: Richard M on October 27, 2010, 05:39:47 pm

Title: Bilge Pump
Post by: Richard M on October 27, 2010, 05:39:47 pm
I thought about fitting a bilge pump to my WIP Robbe Atlantis, either fully automatic or switched via the R/C but I have no idea how to go about it or what hardware to use. Any suggestions?

RichM
Title: Re: Bilge Pump
Post by: Martin (Admin) on October 27, 2010, 06:01:31 pm
Loads of stuff on here, do a search for "Bilge Pump"
Title: Re: Bilge Pump
Post by: Richard M on October 29, 2010, 02:51:35 pm
Taa, I will
Title: Re: Bilge Pump
Post by: Netleyned on October 29, 2010, 06:29:22 pm
Go for automatic
You will have a problem knowing when it needs to switch on when the boat is in the middle of the pond O0 O0

Ned
Title: Re: Bilge Pump
Post by: Captain Jack on October 30, 2010, 12:07:44 am
Well, there's an easy solution. This unit is self contained, and readily available.

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXDZ48&P=0
Title: Re: Bilge Pump
Post by: Richard M on November 03, 2010, 02:44:38 pm
Thanks for advice. Middle of pond comment makes sense.

Warwickshire exhibition coming up so will look for UK version of Captain Jacks suggestion there.

Rich.
Title: Re: Bilge Pump
Post by: triumphjon on November 03, 2010, 10:54:44 pm
would it not be safer to locate the source of the leak ? i have a kysosho seawind that took on water when i first got her , traced my leak to the original hatch bending & letting water in , solved my problem with some 5mm clear prespex , 5 x 40mm x m4 stainless steel nuts & bolts 7 5 m4 wing nuts and a length of 6mm half round neopreen rubber , ive made my own hatch and cured the leak !   
Title: Re: Bilge Pump
Post by: HUNTER on November 04, 2010, 11:37:49 am
We manufacture and retail a Bilge Pump Control plus pump and yes we will be at the Warwick show stand 28.
See you there!!
Regards
Graham
Title: Re: Bilge Pump
Post by: Richard M on November 04, 2010, 07:05:08 pm
I agree it would be better to prevent leak but I was thinking belt and braces, also I like bits of technology.

Rich
Title: Re: Bilge Pump
Post by: Jimmy James on November 06, 2010, 11:07:02 pm
I used to have an old square rigger that weaked like a basket in hot weather (Twas and old singled planked hull)  I used a car windscreen washer pump and a cork with a contact strip glued on it as a float switch connected to its own battery ...as soon as the boat got 1/4 inch of water in it the pump did its work ..,very low tec... very cheap ...worked every time
Freebooter  :-))
Title: Re: Bilge Pump
Post by: Richard M on November 07, 2010, 03:44:42 pm
Great idea, I need to find a scrapyard, they all seem to be turning into trading estates

Richard
Title: Re: Bilge Pump
Post by: Jimmy James on November 11, 2010, 08:33:53 pm
Richard
  Most auto shops carry the pumps,  (£7.00 to £14.00) the trick is to find one that works on 6v, most cars are 12v ,thats why I fitted mine with it's own battery
Jimmy
Title: Re: Bilge Pump
Post by: Landlocked on November 13, 2010, 10:06:44 pm
Thanks to Capt Jack for the Tower Hobby steer.

The RAM 45 Boatsaver w/ pump looks like it will do the job.  Would like to see a pickup tube option but the base mount should work
Title: Re: Bilge Pump
Post by: Boomer on January 31, 2012, 04:27:51 pm
Just thought I'd share afew photos that show the Ram Boat Saver installed in a two of boats. The product is a very simple and effective devise that is actuated when water in the bilge contact a two pronged plug that you locate in a place in the hull that the water would go first, once the water touches the two contacts it completes the circuit the pump activates and it also activates a warning light that can be located at some point on the boat you can see from the shore. It is power by a separate 9V so there is no drain on the boat's batteries. It shuts off when the water level drops below the contacts.

It is a bit large for many RC sailboats - could work on boats larger than 1 Meter. I installed them in two of my electric scale boats that I felt could easily sink in the event of a major influx of water. These things are not expensive, and provide a peace of mind worth the investment. I have added some foam to the larger Coast Guard boat, but the Chris Craft doesn't offer much space to enough foam to keep it afloat,  thus the pump.

Windchaser.

(http://s14.postimage.org/3xtsjy9z1/boat_saver.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/3xtsjy9z1/)

(http://s9.postimage.org/xr8kaor9n/Boat_Saver_auto_bilge_pump_and_proper_battery_location.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/xr8kaor9n/)

(http://s16.postimage.org/qcflujl75/IMG_5082_compressed.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/qcflujl75/)

(http://s14.postimage.org/z2qxjznr1/PICT0035_compressed.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/z2qxjznr1/)

(http://s13.postimage.org/62iqys0z7/PICT0034_compressed.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/62iqys0z7/)