Question about bilge pump

[Riverken]

I just installed a new Rule 1100 pump in my Blackfly Option. I've placed it just in front of the bulkhead and the hose runs to a thru-hull fitting that is also just forward of the bulkhead. When it's pumping out water it does a great job. But there is a problem. It will pump for a little while and then cease to spit out water. The pump is running and there is water in the boat, but the pump is not pumping out the water. If I turn off the pump for a few seconds and then restart it, it will pump out some more water, then (although the pump is still running), it will stop pumping out water, and then if I want it to continue to pump out water I have to turn it off and then on again. Eventually, no more water comes out and at that point I assume the level is low enough that the pump can't get at it. The battery is new and seems to be working fine.

What is causing this, and how do I get it to just keep pumping until all the water is gone down to the level of the pump intakes?

Thanks for your ideas.

[Smurfwarrior]

I'd suggest replacing the pump with a tsunami 1100 from walmart for about $35. It will continue to pump with air pockets an doesn't need to be reset like some if ran dry or has an airpocket. I've had about eight of those pumps without a single problem.

Do make sure your battery is hooked to the pump correctly and that it's not reverse wired, which causes problems.

[ian123]

I definitely agree with surf.

I have a Rule 1100 and it sucks in a bad way... basically everything you described. I tried different configurations and different batteries... nothing really helped. Now I have a tsunami 1200 and it's WAY better.

[hazardharry]

tsunami 1200 will pump out the titanic or at least my 15' wwcanoe.

[clarion]

Do you have a low spot in the hose? The hose should continually rise. You could have air.

[marclamenace]

The tsunami rocks, but the rule should at least pump what you have without stopping in the middle. If an air pocket is forming like this before all the water is out then your pump location drainage may needs to be worked. Look to make sure the water in the boat can flow quickly enough toward the pump location, carve some foam and work it out until it's OK. The tsunami won't stop if it sucks air but it won't function at its best if it just can't access the water in the boat fast enough.

[Riverken]

The problem has been resolved. The boat was bow-light, and as a result the water wasn't getting up forward to the pump. I hollowed out the knee holes a little bit, which allowed me to sit more forward (only a tiny bit) and that did the trick It wasn't the pump after all (sounds like the Tsunami might have been a better choice, though).

Wonderful boat, and not just for creeks.

[phreon]

I have a Rule 1100 with the exact same problem; once it sucks a small amount of air, it won't recover. In my case, it was sucking air through a seam in my saddle even with inches of water in the boat.

Maybe it's time for a Tsunami.

Doug