Bilge Pump Sensor - Float or Hydro Air

[spartonboat1]

I had a double issue happen last weekend, when I found my stbd bilge full up with water, including into the below engine bunker. Water source was a galvanized nipple at the Water Heater inlet, that finally rusted through, after 40+ years and was shooting an 1/8" stream of water into the bilge.

Ironically, I would not have noticed the bad leak, had my bilge water level switch not quit working. So I had to run the bilge pump manually to catch up. I then bypassed the Water Heater.

I have read in the past, about the Rule float levels hanging up and not working. I have already installed one Jabsco Hydro-Air sensor (holding tank), which seems to work well, so I am thinking of replacing the float type bilge level switch with a Hydro-Air switch.

>> Any thoughts comparing the two type of switches: Float vs. Air over Water?


P.s., got lucky and found a plumbing shop (Sheid's, White Lake, MI) who wasn't afraid to come aboard and showed up the very next day! He fixed the leak and installed new fittings, in short order; the old nipple crumbled, when he tried to remove it! So now am good for another 40 years.

 

[Boatsb]

Ultimate float switches. Especially the ones with dual sensors for the high water alarm. I seek them to commercial customers who need backups.

 

[SEVEN]

I had a double issue happen last weekend, when I found my stbd bilge full up with water, including into the below engine bunker. Water source was a galvanized nipple at the Water Heater inlet, that finally rusted through, after 40+ years and was shooting an 1/8" stream of water into the bilge.

Ironically, I would not have noticed the bad leak, had my bilge water level switch not quit working. So I had to run the bilge pump manually to catch up. I then bypassed the Water Heater.

I have read in the past, about the Rule float levels hanging up and not working. I have already installed one Jabsco Hydro-Air sensor (holding tank), which seems to work well, so I am thinking of replacing the float type bilge level switch with a Hydro-Air switch.

>> Any thoughts comparing the two type of switches: Float vs. Air over Water?


P.s., got lucky and found a plumbing shop (Sheid's, White Lake, MI) who wasn't afraid to come aboard and showed up the very next day! He fixed the leak and installed new fittings, in short order; the old nipple crumbled, when he tried to remove it! So now am good for another 40 years.

The nipple might last 40 more but the hot water heater will hopefully last 10 years tops.

 

[GJH]

Ultimate float switches. Especially the ones with dual sensors for the high water alarm. I seek them to commercial customers who need backups.

You mean the Ultra Pumpswitch, I'm sure. The gold standard, IMO. I put them on every bilge and sump I had. Didn't do the Senior woth high water alarm because my Hatt had HW alarms built in. Sounds like rhe OP does not, so all the better to get the Senior system.

https://www.tefgel.com/contain.php?...tefgel.com/contain.php?param=pumpswitch_infor

 

[Boatsb]

Yes. Spellczek is driving me crazy.

I almost always sell the dual (with the high water alarm)

 

[spartonboat1]

Great replies on sensor - thanks! Will research the Ultra!!

Yes, true, the HW heater is on its last lap around the track. Will need to open up a panel behind it, to change it out. Hope to hold out for this year, then install same size Raritan. (20 gals).

 

[rustybucket]

I know it's not my thread, but thanks for the feedback guys, just ordered a couple of the ultra switches. One going in the aft bilge, one going in the shower sump. Both of these never worked right with float switches, hopefully the ultra switch will cure the issues. If it does I'll be buying more for the rest of the bilges.

 

[Cricket]

For me the Ultra float switches are the only ones I will have on a boat, have them on all 3. Some are over 20 years old.