Installing a small electric bilge pump in Arwen. Part 1

Thus far, I have managed to get away with having a large bucket, a kayak pump and a bailer as my emergency stuff on-board Arwen.

I have every intention of installing a Whale Gusher Urchin with removable handle along the centre case when funds permit.  In the meantime, good friend Dave very generously donated a small Whale Orca electric bilge pump to Arwen.  It is a 12V DC pump with a 1.5 amp draw and pumps 450 gph or 28/lts/min with a 1m head. 

Followers of the blog will know that I have avoided installing a large 12v battery system for powering small electronics on Arwen. Still cycling, camping and travelling, I buy equipment that will cross sports. Thus I went for a series of small power banks and a Solar panel system for recharging and powering up my VHF radio and camera battery equipment and gimbals.

So why install a small electric bilge pump?

• to pump out rain
  
  
  water that cascades off the sails during showers and collects along various points throughout the cockpit
• to pump out the rainwater that leaks through Arwen's tarpaulin and collects against the front thwart bulkhead (the drive is steep sloped). 
• to have a movable system which can be put in forward or rear cockpit sections as necessary

So, what is the set up I am going to attempt? Well its a idea shamelessly stolen from kayakers and open canoeists.....a small 12V 7amp battery in a box with associated wiring and switches and a pump that can be moved about. The box and pump on its plywood base can be placed under bungee straps that will adorn front, centre ad stern thwarts and also at various corners of the forward and aft cockpit areas. 

It is always difficult trying to sail and use the kayak pump during a shower - so hopefully this system will make things easier.  Below is a list of the components and a simple wiring diagram (forgive my poor drawing skills). There will be a video telling the story of the installation later on this spring. 

The components:

• a sealed lead acid Yuasa rechargeable battery 12V 7amp

• a Lock n Seal plastic box

• one 12v on-off switch

• 1 thru-hull fitting - 3/4" internal diametre

• a length of smooth bore, reinforced plastic pipe 3/4" internal diametre - I avoided corrugated pipe as it can reduce discharge rates by up to 30%

• a 2 amp fuse and in-line fuse holder

• the Whale Orca 500 pump
• a piece of 9mm plywood which will be varnished and act as the base for the strainer to be screwed to

• various spade and butt connectors

• several lengths of heat shrink tubing
• a small 12V battery charger 

The wiring diagram:

Of course, people who know me well will tell you that I have no idea what I'm doing most days. so, this will be an interesting experiment! I really have no idea whether its a good idea or not; or whether it will work or not; but nothing ventured, nothing gained.  'You don't know what you don't know' and 'necessity is the mother of all invention'. 

The intention is to put the battery, fuse and switch inside or on top of the box. I know that a lead acid sealed battery can still vent hydrogen and therefore should never be put in a sealed box. Consequently, I need to find a way of venting the box whilst minimising possible water ingress. I have no idea on this issue so if any readers do - please drop me a comment in the box below.