journal k ayaker’s TECHNIQUE BY DOUG ALDERSON Get Pumped
EMPTY YOUR COCKPIT EASILY WITH THIS CHEAP HOMEMADE ELECTRIC BILGE PUMP
Pump Assembly
Pump Wiring
tages and I have always outfitted my kayaks with a foot-operated bilge pump. However, in the back of my mind has always lingered the desire for an electric pump. Recently I took on the challenge. My first
H
limitation was a personal rule that all my kay- aking electronics are powered by AA NiMH rechargeable batteries. Second on my list was a simple design and third was a modest bud- get. Tis pump setup uses parts that should all be readily available at an electronics or marine supply store for about $100. Te system has exceeded my expectations
on all accounts. Most notably the battery power has proven to be more than adequate. Eight times I sat in the cockpit flooded so that the water level was over my thighs and eight times the pump cleared the water in about four minutes. I learned that I did not need any fancy
switching on deck. Held under the deck by two snug bungies, the switch on the battery box can be toggled left or right (on or off) by means of my shin.
26 ADVENTURE KAYAK | EARLY SUMMER 2010
aving a hands-free means of pumping out a flooded cockpit has great advan-
Te basic system is easily adapted to various locations for the pump and the battery box.
Pump Assembly Te fully submersible pump, 600 gal/hr (38 l/min), is connected to the battery box with the wire provided with the pump. Tis pump came with an alternate 90-degree elbow. Te rubber tricuspid one-way valve provided with the pump was of poor quality and was replaced with a new 3/4-inch one-way valve shown near the end of the clear plastic tub- ing. Te toggle switch is covered with a rubber protective sleeve.
Pump Wiring Twelve 2500 mA, 1.2-volt NiMH batteries are held in a combination of one eight-cell and one four-cell battery holder wired in series to pro- duce a maximum of 14.4 volts—well within the tolerance of the 12-volt pump. An optional 2.5-amp fuse and a simple tog-
gle switch are wired into place. Te wires and toggle switch have been fitted snugly through holes drilled through the case. Inside the case the wires have been tied in a knot to prevent any tension on the internal wiring. Te toggle
switch is fitted with a supplemental rubber cover from the marine supply store. Waterproof the holes drilled into the case
with some seam seal or marine caulking. Wires can be connected with solderless connectors, or soldered and then insulated with shrink wrap. A small piece of foam sits on top of the batteries to keep them in place when the box is closed. Te battery holders come out of the box easily by unsnapping the connector.
Parts List Pump ............................................................ $25 Plastic box .................................................... $13
Toggle switch, connectors, fuse holder (optional), battery holders, waterproof case .......................................... $25
One way valve ............................................ $12
3/4-inch tubing, hose clamps, wire connectors, through-hull fitting .......... $10
Note: Through-hull fittings vary greatly in cost. I use inexpensive nylon fittings that cost about $2.
PHOTOS: DOUG ALDERSON
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