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Old 09-11-2017, 11:25 PM   #21
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This is a work in progress, and attempt #2 works well.
I cut up an old 20 gal poly drum that made a fine breakwater, and was easy to configure to the bottom contours and cut slits around the bottom edge to allow the water in. This worked better than the 3/8" holes, and acts as a kind of strainer as well.
My boat has no sump hole, so water runs all over the forward 2/3 of the bilge, with some velocity at the centerline limber holes, and was slamming the float switches hard.
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Old 09-12-2017, 04:57 AM   #22
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The only switches I buy are the type in the pic. Brand doesn't seem to matter.

Just being sure I understand your meaning...

You're saying the only switches you will buy are the Ultra Safety Switch and the Lovett switch?

Hadn't heard of Lovett before; quick search suggests these are all combined pump/switch in a single unit?

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Old 09-12-2017, 05:01 AM   #23
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I built a kind of "breakwater" around my main pump about a foot away, it's a barrier drilled with many 3/8" holes that flow enough water to keep the pump running until the float switch turns it off.

Sounds conceptually like the design built into the Ultra Safety Switch? With the small holes around their tube?

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Old 09-12-2017, 05:29 AM   #24
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For those familiar with the Ultra Senior...

Is the alarm sound device included with the package? I think I understand the alarm switch is built into the Sr. float switch, but I can't quite tell whether the actual battery-powered sounder is also included from their website or from various vendor sites. The installation video suggest it's included...

I queried tef-gel via e-mail yesterday... but I hadn't realized they're in FL... so it'll maybe be a while before they can get to minor detail questions like this...

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Old 09-12-2017, 05:41 AM   #25
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In my experience, the longest lasting float switch is one that stays out of the water. In my sailboat, I fastened the float switch to the top of the pump so it was out of the "remainder" of water and was never left soaking. I had a three way switch that I would hit to get out any water whenever I was at the boat. It never got high enough between visits to trip the switch.


Hmmm.... in our engine room, with the switch above the pump, that'd potentially allow a LOT of water in there... both before the pump activated and still remaining even after it shut off again.

Normally, our ER is completely dry; any water in there at all sends me into search mode to identify whatever the problem (source) might be...

I mis-spoke on my first note; the pump is a Jabsco 1950. Looks to me like Xylem has re-positioned Jabsco and Rule products in the marketplace, and maybe their bilge pumps are only in the Rule "domain" now. The Rule 2000 looks similar...

-Chris
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Old 09-12-2017, 06:09 AM   #26
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One thing I would find useful is a pump which allows an over-run, once the switch has reset itself. I'm pretty sure my old Rules used to do this. It would allow some very useful fine-tuning.

I'm sure they're out there: does anyone know of any?
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Old 09-12-2017, 12:12 PM   #27
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I awoke at 3am, to a struggling bilge pump. It normally squirts out a few pints or so, in a second or two. It was taking a long time to do so now.

I had a look, and found that the hose clip had come apart, completely corroded. So the Ultra switch was riding up with the water, and occasionally tripping....now I wonder who put that in!! Blush. Name:  IMG_2224.JPG
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Old 09-12-2017, 12:13 PM   #28
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So, every component is a potential fail-point.
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Old 09-12-2017, 12:26 PM   #29
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Originally Posted by ranger42c View Post
Sounds conceptually like the design built into the Ultra Safety Switch? With the small holes around their tube?

-Chris
Yes thats where the concept started, however the one I built encompasses the pump and switch.
So far its working well, and the diaper that is always floating nearby has little chance of getting into the pump.
Hopefully this will reduce cycling and slamming to extend the life of the floatswitch.
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Old 09-12-2017, 03:54 PM   #30
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Ultra. Nothing else can compare.. Made in south Florida.
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Old 09-12-2017, 09:21 PM   #31
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I awoke at 3am, to a struggling bilge pump. It normally squirts out a few pints or so, in a second or two. It was taking a long time to do so now.

I had a look, and found that the hose clip had come apart, completely corroded. So the Ultra switch was riding up with the water, and occasionally tripping....now I wonder who put that in!! Blush. Attachment 68474
Looks like a low grade clamp; and it should be installed above the trip point of the switch.
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Old 09-13-2017, 06:58 AM   #32
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Thanks, all, for input. I've ordered an Ultra Senior. Believe I've figured out the alarm sounder is NOT included, so I ordered one of those, too.

(We actually already have a high water alarm in that bilge; one of the Safe-T-Alert sensors that came with the boat. OTOH, I reckon more is maybe better, when it comes to alert warnings. The Ultra sounder seems inordinately expensive, given the activation switch is incorporated into the Senior float switch, though. OTOH, it'll be a matched pair, I guess. Debating whether I might want to eventually change my aft bilge switch to a Senior, too, so I can easily have an alarm back there as well.)

Hadn't originally realized Tef-Gel/Ultra is in South Florida. I'm assuming that'll impact shipment dates...

In case it'll help anyone else shopping on these, and since navigation on their website isn't all that perfectly-intuitive, here are some relevant links:
http://www.tefgel.com/contain.php?pa...mpswitch_price
http://www.tefgel.com/contain.php?pa...mpswitch_infor
http://www.tefgel.com/contain.php?pa...ch_instruction
http://www.tefgel.com/contain.php?param=battery_price
http://www.tefgel.com/contain.php?pa...ry_instruction

The wiring video compliments the pumpswitch wiring diagram:


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Old 09-13-2017, 07:53 AM   #33
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Quote:
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Have a look at their site, either the Junior or Senior products. You'll see that as the water rises, it raises a piston inside a tube..... this ensures that no crap can get in the way, as can happen with a flipper. Also, it can't stick in the ON position.

I swapped my rules out two years back, and the Ultras haven't missed a beat.
I really like my Johnson Ultima. The redundant pump and alarm hasn't activated since I installed the Ultima; over a year.
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Old 09-13-2017, 09:25 AM   #34
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I had Ultras on my old boat, latex 22 year when I sold it with no problems. New owner still has them.
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Old 09-23-2017, 01:08 PM   #35
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Installed the Ultra Safety Systems Senior pumpswitch (UPS-01) along with their surface mount High Water Alarm (A-201-S) last Thursday. Conceptually an easy enough installation, although slightly hampered by reach and access in this case. And stuffing 12-gauge boat wire into pre-installed USS 16-14 gauge butt connectors took some finesse.

The switch looks like worth the money. The noisemaker seems overpriced (given the activation mechanism comes from the switch), but maybe it's gold-plated inside or something. OTOH, it's a "matched set" (so to speak) and it was an easy way to add a redundant and pumpswitch-driven high water alarm to complement our existing system.

-Chris
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Old 09-23-2017, 01:40 PM   #36
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IMHO you installed the best.
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Old 09-23-2017, 06:37 PM   #37
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BTW, I typically found Hamilton Marine in particular, or Depco to have the best price on the Ultras.
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Old 09-24-2017, 06:02 AM   #38
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Now you tell me.



But that'll help for subsequent installs, either when the other two float switches start to go... or preemptively if I decide to do that. Interesting that the Depco link leads to an alternate identity for the USS/RG guy, and that he sells the alarms for about $35 less via that identity. The switches are only about $5 less that way, though... whereas Hamilton has the switches for about $30 less. Not to worry, not huge buck$$ (although the alarm price still seems higher that reasonable just for a noisemaker), useful to know, thanks.

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Old 09-24-2017, 04:03 PM   #39
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I was curious about the Tefgel high water alarm so looked at their online brochure. Does the one you have use two nine volt batteries for power? If so it is better yet since it does not rely on the DC electrical system to alarm. It is alerting high water even if your batteries are dead.

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Installed the Ultra Safety Systems Senior pumpswitch (UPS-01) along with their surface mount High Water Alarm (A-201-S) last Thursday. Conceptually an easy enough installation, although slightly hampered by reach and access in this case. And stuffing 12-gauge boat wire into pre-installed USS 16-14 gauge butt connectors took some finesse.

The switch looks like worth the money. The noisemaker seems overpriced (given the activation mechanism comes from the switch), but maybe it's gold-plated inside or something. OTOH, it's a "matched set" (so to speak) and it was an easy way to add a redundant and pumpswitch-driven high water alarm to complement our existing system.

-Chris
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Old 09-24-2017, 04:17 PM   #40
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I was curious about the Tefgel high water alarm so looked at their online brochure. Does the one you have use two nine volt batteries for power? If so it is better yet since it does not rely on the DC electrical system to alarm. It is alerting high water even if your batteries are dead.

Yes, it's an 18V surface mount alarm, with two 9V batteries, and a test/mute/on switch.

Yes, useful that it's independent of the boat battery system.

Looks to me like about $20 worth of hardware, not much different than something like a battery-operated CO detector or smoke alarm. OK, maybe $30.

Best price I've seen so far (now) is $135, from that tip above to check Depco. I hadn't found any links like that when I was searching for retailers earlier <sigh>... so got it direct from RG Products (the Tef-gel and USS guy)... and paid $170 plus a little for shipping. Still looks like about $20 worth of hardware. OK, maybe $30.

I'm guessing any $20 (OK, $30) battery-operated alarm with two wires ought to work equally well.

Unless there's some internal gold plating or something similar that I can't see...

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