Bilge Pump System

There are three bilge pumps installed in Nadagato a primary, secondary and a manual pump.  There is also a high water alarm installed that will produce an audible and visual alarm if activated. 

Operation

The primary bilge pump is a 12V Rule submersible pump mounted in the bilge sump floor.  An automatic float switch located on the port side of the sump operates this pump.  This pump also has a manual operation switch on the upper region of the electrical panel.  When activated this pump lights an "active" light on the main electrical panel and on the electrical panel located in the cockpit.  As well there is a "BILGE PUMP COUNT" counter on the nav station panel that counts bilge pump activity.

The secondary bilge pump is a Jabsco diaphragm pump located under the navigation station.  This is a dual purpose pump that also drains the fridge and freezer sumps.  The pickup for this pump is a strum box in the sump.  The discharge for this pump is the forward through hull under the aft wash basin.  This pump is activated via a float switch located on the starboard side of the bilge sump.  Note for this to work properly as a secondary pump the selector valve in the engine room must be on bilge. 

The float switch for the high water alarm is located on the port side of the sump approximately 18 inches above the sump floor.

The manual pump is a Gusher located on the port side of the engine room pod.  The handle is kept inside the aft engine room door just below the pump.  The pickup for this pump is also in the bilge sump.

Recommended Maintenance 

TASK -- Frequency

Test primary pump -- weekly
Test secondary pump -- weekly
Test manual pump -- weekly
Clean strum box for secondary pump -- Bi monthly unless known contamination
Clean entire bilge sump area -- 3 months unless  known contamination