Rule-Mate Automatic Bilge Pump

[ggray]

Does anyone have anything good or bad to say about these pumps?


https://www.xylem.com/en-us/brands/r...?facetids=1194


I think they have some sort of a sensor inside that turns on the pump as the water level rises.

Or if there is any other alternative to the traditional centrifugal pump with a separate float switch. I'm not interested in a diaphragm pump for this application.

[Sail4ever]

I have replaced my Rule-mate 1100 twice in two years 🤷🏼*♂️ I think the sensor fails, it would still run on manual mode

[hpeer]

I think there is a loong thread here about these.

IIRC, not a sure thing, they have a float switch which turns the pump “ON”.

The bigger problem is they use a current sensor to turn the pump “OFF.”

When left unattended the battery drains a bit and then the damn pump stays on, thinking it is still pumping water. This further depletes the battery so that eventually the battery dies, the boat accumulates water, and eventually sinks.

But, look for that other thread. See if I am right.

[Bowdrie]

Originally Posted by ggray

Or if there is any other alternative to the traditional centrifugal pump with a separate float switch. I'm not interested in a diaphragm pump for this application.

Without the "traditional" centrifugal or something with a diaphragm, the pickings start getting slim.
You still need some kind of switching device with anything.
Groco makes a vane pump, it's a positive displacement unit, but typically those types are not real high volume.
And, horrendously expensive.
https://www.groco.net/products/pumps...ries-vane-pump

[Sam Woodbridge]

I don’t care much for Rule anymore. The sensor seems like junk. What I did because my Rule still pumped or pushed water out was to bypass the sensor part with a float switch. I actually like my setup with a alarm installed too. Here’s a link to the float switch. You can find these switches cheaper too than this website.

https://www.ultratef-gel.com/product...mini-2432volt/

I trust that float switch and I know the Rule will at least push water out. The alarm is super handy because why should I have water in the bilge with my boat.

Good luck

Sam

[ggray]

Thanks for your posts; I did find the old thread (should have searched first!)

I'll look closely at the Johnson pumps and the Ultra Pumpswitch.

[wyb2]

Another float switch alternative. We had our small main pump on a float switch and a larger backup on one of these. You can test it with a wet rag.

https://waterwitchinc.com/product/mo...-bilge-switch/

[Sam Woodbridge]

Originally Posted by wyb2

Another float switch alternative. We had our small main pump on a float switch and a larger backup on one of these. You can test it with a wet rag.

https://waterwitchinc.com/product/mo...-bilge-switch/

Those are really cool!

Ty

[Peeew]

I had the rule automatic pumps fail, and run continuously but then I discovered what I think was the cause. There is a sensor that detects water. After it gets wet over a period of time a thin slime develops on the sensor and this is sensed as water so the pump runs. For the past few years when my pump seemed to run forever I remove it and wash the sensor with some soap and water and a rag. My current one has been working like this for a few years now.

[ggray]

I'm taking a close look at the Waterwitch.

[deblen]

Another vote for Waterwitch-10yrs & still working / Len