posted 06-08-2003 08:41 PM ET (US)            

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It's hard to say who is the number one builder of bilge pumps, Rule or Attwood. They are both good but I prefer Rule, I feel like their engineering is a step ahead of the others.
I have had customers return both brands that had problems but it's about equal between the two.

I left Jabsco out of the comparison as they are primarily used on much larger boats but are very high quality.
I also left out Mayfair, as I would rather have a Beckson hand pump.

Dick

posted 06-08-2003 10:23 PM ET (US)            

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Rule by far over the Attwood. Rule uses tinned copper wire and Attwood does not.

Tinned copper wire is mandatory for marine purposes.

posted 06-09-2003 03:20 PM ET (US)         

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Never install one of the Rule automatic "chip" pumps unless you have an "on-off" switch in the positive lead of the circuit.

Otherwise the pump will drive you crazy, and wear itself out prematurely, working 365 days of the year, every 2 1/2 minutes!

These pumps make some sense when you need a bilge pump for limited periods, such as for a trailered boat, or overnight at a dock, during heavy rain while running, fishing, etc. Most of time, the switch will be in the off position to avoid cycling, but can be left on for up to a day.

For serious use such as at a mooring or extended docking, or continuous, frequent use, always use a separate float switch, manual pump and three way switch. This is what BW does and this is the best solution for unattended operation, as there is no cycling and power drain.

posted 06-10-2003 08:02 AM ET (US)            

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I just installed a Rule 500 gallon per hour (GPH) automatic pump as described by Minimontauk in the sump in my 15' Super Sport, replacing a perfectly working Rule 800 GPH that was connected to a float switch mounted on the deck. I didn't like the fact that the float switch was mounted above the sump and apparently always left water on the deck.

I went with the Rule 500 Automatic pump because it would fit in the sump and still allow me to easily access the drain plug. The Rule-a-matic (built-in float switch) seemed to be too big to allow easy access to the drain plug. I think the Rule 500 Automatic pump is the perfect pump for the 15' hull because it eliminates the traditional float switch which doesn't fit in the sump.

The Rule automatic pump has three leads coming from it for use with a three position switch (off/automatic cycling/on). The negative lead attaches to the battery's negative post. The two positive leads should be connected to two of the three posts on a three position switch, with the remaining post of the switch connected to the positive post of the battery. Rule sells switches for their pumps but you can also use traditional pull-out switches, which I had on the console of my 15'.

The pump will not run your battery down to the point that is unusuable unless you left boat out on a mooring or at a dock for the entire year and never used your boat. In the 2.5 minute cycling sensing mode with dry conditions, it has a very low current draw (I believe it is something like 0.2 amp-hours/day). By installing it with the switch as described above you can turn it off when it is on a trailer with the drain plug out or switch it on to bail out the boat manually.

I have had one of these automatic pumps in the motor well in my Revenge 22 WT for several years and it runs in the automatic mode all season (I don't switch it off). I have had no problems with excessive battery drainage and it has not worn itself out prematurely. Thus, contrary to LHG's statement about being left on for up to a day, you can leave it on for the entire season without incurring problems.

When you are using your 15, you will probably use it in the manual mode toggling it between off and on. When you leave it unattended in the water, that is when you would use it in the automatic cycling mode.

posted 06-10-2003 08:14 AM ET (US)         

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This is my second season with the RULE 500 GPH. I used Marine Tex to secure it to the bottom of my sump. I have it wired directly to the pos. and neg. posts of my bus bar. I do have a waterproof fuse on the battery. I never had a problem with the battery.

After heavy rains last week my Newtauk was dry and the 2003 13'Sport next to me at the marina was filled with 8" of water. I chose not to connect to a switch as I want to avoid wondering at night if I turned the switch on.

posted 06-10-2003 06:06 PM ET (US)            

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I love my Attwood500 automatic, mounted in the sump of my 15', with the handy little Starboard cover over it...

Outlet pipe was fashioned out of PVC and runs up and over the transom splash well. From there, water naturally drains overboard.

Having a bilge pump, and having had my drain tube corrode through part way up the drain tube, I keep the plug on the outside of the hull now. Fresh water from rinsing the boat is less corrosive than the salt water the boat is floating in... However, the plug, and the Attwood 500 both fit in harmony inside the sump, under the 1/2" Starboard cover...

posted 06-16-2003 11:14 PM ET (US)            

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I've got a Rulemate 1100 in my Nauset. The leads are NOT tinned.
This is an automatic pump with a built in float switch. I run the discharge out over the starboard transom next to my baitwell discharge. It's a nice pump for an offshore montauk, it'll move a lot of water and still fit in the sump very easily. I haven't fastened it down, it sets in the sump fine without any fastening, and I didn't want to put a screw into the boat there, since that's the wettest part of the hull.

After a year, the impeller broke down, and little pieces of plastic jammed the motor. After I cleared them out, the pump ran and even pumped water, but not at 1100 gph I'm sure.
I took it to my local West marine, and they sent it back to Rule for warranty. Then they (or Rule, depends on who you believe)couldn't figure out what happened with it, after a couple of months they got tired of me bugging them and gave me a new pump, or they "found" it (the "official version"). Anyhow, I've got a new pump to install.

posted 06-17-2003 10:10 AM ET (US)            

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Have used Rule 500's in my 13' classic with a seperate enclosed rule float. a real nice set up. I have replaced the pump @ every other year as the impeller or shaft wears out.have not had to replace the float in over 7 years. I am not comfortable with the automatic 2 1/2 min. version. I leave my boat on a mooring in a cove and was concerned with battery run down.

This year I installed a Rule 750 GPH with internal float switch in my "new" 1970 Nauset. It fits perfectly in the tunnel sump, not screwed down, in front of the drain plug and behind where the control lines, steering cables, and fuel lines exit the tunnel. It is wired to a manual on/off switch on the dash for those times I want to override the auto float, (Rare occurance). The Hot is hard wired to the battery with an inline fuse for circut protection. Highly recomend this set up as it has proven to be a reliable setup with more than adequate pumping capacity for the constant rain we have experienced here in NJ this spring and the occasional green water that comes over the rails!!!. I don't like to run the boat with the drain/sump plug pulled unless absolutly necessary, the pumps capacity handles this issue as well. The boat is also moored in a cove with only a consol cover for protection.