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Old 05-18-2017, 07:54 AM   #1
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High Water Alarm

What brand/model do folks recommend for a bilge high water alarm?

Thanks!
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Old 05-18-2017, 08:02 AM   #2
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What brand/model do folks recommend for a bilge high water alarm?

Thanks!
I have thought about that. If I did it, maybe have it wired to a bilge pump sitting much higher up that normally won't ever come on. Alarm-horn, wired to go on and off with the bilge pump switch. You can activate with a relay so power to pump is constant not drained by the alarm. So with high water, you get extra pumping and an alarm.
Maybe alarm could be digital voice saying 'help me, I am sinking'.
And be nice if the boat could notify you somehow with a text message?

All that gets sophisticated.
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Old 05-18-2017, 08:16 AM   #3
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As a simple "partial" solution I have placed a few battery powered alarms (from the big box stores) where ever water may come into the boat. These are continuity alarms with two probes that close the circuit when a conductive medium comes in contact with them, water. The alarm is very loud. I have placed them where the dock water comes into the boat, under all of my sinks, galley and heads.
I am sure boaters realize that if a hose clamp on a galley faucet fails, the boat could fill up with water from the dock side and sink. We always shut off the dock water when leaving the boat even for a few hours. I also installed a shut off valve inside the boat for ease of access and safety.

Some of these alarms are as small as a cigarette pack.
I am not sure if that answered your question, but it is a lesson I learned so I figured I would pass it on.
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Old 05-18-2017, 09:13 AM   #4
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Old 05-18-2017, 09:25 AM   #5
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We have an Aqua Alarm system and the 2 high water alarms are part of it. The big red bell/noisemaker gets your attention real fast if you have an alarm.


20001 Five Systems Monitoring Kit, Sngl, with 5 Detectors & Bell [] - $349.00 : AQUALARM, Warning Systems For Land And Sea
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Old 05-18-2017, 09:41 AM   #6
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I have thought about that. If I did it, maybe have it wired to a bilge pump sitting much higher up that normally won't ever come on. Alarm-horn, wired to go on and off with the bilge pump switch. You can activate with a relay so power to pump is constant not drained by the alarm. So with high water, you get extra pumping and an alarm.
Maybe alarm could be digital voice saying 'help me, I am sinking'.
And be nice if the boat could notify you somehow with a text message?

All that gets sophisticated.
This is my idea also. I already have the pump. I am, sooner or later, going to mount it on a platform above the main engine room bilge pump.
My hesitation has been deciding if I want yet another thru hull or to use the galley sink drain that is handy.
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Old 05-18-2017, 10:10 AM   #7
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I have a proper, "nautical" alarm that came with the boat. But the boat has three bilge sections separated by low bulkheads.

So I got these for the other two bilge sections and as a back-up for the main bilge section:

https://www.amazon.com/Honeywell-RWD...arm+Multi-Pack

Not sure how loud they are and if they can be heard through the floor and over the engine noise but I will sacrifice one to find out.
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Old 05-18-2017, 10:41 AM   #8
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This is my idea also. I already have the pump. I am, sooner or later, going to mount it on a platform above the main engine room bilge pump.
My hesitation has been deciding if I want yet another thru hull or to use the galley sink drain that is handy.
Would your galley sink drain be large enough for a high capacity bilge pump?
I would think the thruhull for your bilge pump would be larger than the sink drain.

L.
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Old 05-18-2017, 10:45 AM   #9
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I have two different types of high water alarms.

The older one uses float switches ard wired to a siren and the "old" alarm system which is a sensaphone web600. This system will send me a email and text message in the event of a alarm condition.

Ther newer one uses two electronic wireless battery operated water sensors that are connected to my Lowes Iris alarm system.

This will sound a siren on the boat, as well as send messages, and even call my contact list.

I have tested both and they are extermely effective.
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Old 05-18-2017, 11:43 AM   #10
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Really no big deal...

Any flapper bilge switch connected to a 12V bell or alarm with a light in parallel works just fine.

"Proper" is a waste of money unless you cant rig one yourself or like the looks.

I tried one of the Johnson Ultima (electronic) switches and it didnt work...went back to a simple flapper. High out of bilge water, they last a long time even if unreliable as a primary bilge switch.
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Old 05-18-2017, 02:46 PM   #11
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That's what I installed, psneeld. A second bilge pump with flapper switch normally sitting high and dry. I bought a loud weatherproof electronic alarm for $3 and wired it in parallel with this second bilge pump. Too easy.
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Old 05-18-2017, 03:46 PM   #12
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I put in a system from Borel Mfg. Very nice, they make it to your needs. I have high exhaust temp alarm on the main engines and generator, 2 high water alarms and 2 water in fuel sensors for the main engine racors. I think it cost around $400. I have 2 - 2" horns that fit in just like a small gauge on the instrument panel. They label them according to your directions. Simple install and they draw no power unless there is an alarm.
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Old 05-18-2017, 03:53 PM   #13
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Ours is Safe-T-Alert systems from MTI. Supposedly detects gas/propane (fumes), high water, and fire... 3 separate sensors.

Not necessarily a recommendation. Can't say whether it works or not, no experience... although it tests OK.

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Old 05-19-2017, 07:51 AM   #14
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Thanks for all the input. For those of you with a second, higher bilge pump, does it just T into the same thru-hull as the main bilge pump?
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Old 05-19-2017, 08:05 AM   #15
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One I would (in the future) stay away from is the Rule alarm with the dash mounted 'speaker' Turns out, the 'alarm' is actually a high pitched whine, which is exactly the same note as my tinnitus. I've had it go off and was literally shaking my head thinking, "I need to get these ears checked." I've now noticed the same alarm on other boats when they go off. Not a good choice.
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Old 05-19-2017, 08:17 AM   #16
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Thanks for all the input. For those of you with a second, higher bilge pump, does it just T into the same thru-hull as the main bilge pump?

No and hell no.
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Old 05-19-2017, 08:45 AM   #17
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If you Tee into an existing through hull, it may back flush into the bilge via the other bilge pump. Put another throught hull in. Use smooth bore hose.
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Old 05-19-2017, 12:17 PM   #18
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No and hell no.


That's clear enough. [emoji1]
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Old 05-19-2017, 12:19 PM   #19
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If you Tee into an existing through hull, it may back flush into the bilge via the other bilge pump. Put another throught hull in. Use smooth bore hose.


OK. That makes sense. I'll just do the alarm for now and think about another thru-hull in the future.
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Old 05-19-2017, 01:50 PM   #20
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"The big red bell/noisemaker gets your attention real fast if you have an alarm."

YOU BET!

A bell is noticed even by modern folks that are used to beeps , chirps and strange electronic computer noises.
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