Rule 360 GPH - Plumbing; Discharge Piping Factors; Siphoning Prevention and Valve Usage; Maintenance and Winterization Best Practices

Plumbing:
Thisbilgepumphasbeendesignedtobeusedwithexiblehose.Rigidpipingortubing
maydamagethepumporthepump’sdischarge.
Factorsthatreducetheowofabilgepumpmayincludebutarenotlimitedtothe
following:
• Thelengthofdischargepiping(longerrunsreduceow)
• The number or radius of bends
• Theroughnessoftheinteriorsurfacesofpipingandttings(smoothborehoseisbest)
• The reduction (hose restriction) in cross-sectional area of discharge system
components such as check valves and thru-hulls
Attach the discharge hose to the hose barb using stainless steel hose clamps.
Thethru-hulldischargettingshouldbemountedatleast8”(20.3cm)abovethe
heeled water line to prevent water siphoning in from outside the vessel or the
discharge may be located below the maximum heeled waterline if the discharge
line is provided with both of the following:
• A seacock installed in accordance with the requirements of ABYC H-27, Seacocks,
Thru-Hull Connections, and Drain Plugs, and
• A vented loop or other means to prevent siphoning into the boat. A check valve
shall not be used for this purpose.
If the discharges of several pumps are manifolded to discharge through a single
thru-hulltting,thesystemshallbedesignedsothattheoperationofonepump
will not back feed another pump, and the simultaneous operation of each pump will
not diminish the pumping capacity of the system. A check valve shall not be used in
the discharge manifold system.
Best practice: Use two stainless steel hose
clamps to attach hose to hose barb.
A check valve may be used only when necessary to prevent an automatic bilge pump
fromcyclingonandoffduetobackowfromthedischargeline.
Hose connections shall be secured with a non-corrosive type of clamp, or be
mechanically fastened with permanently-attached end ttings, such as swaged
sleeve. Threaded inserts shall be attached with corrosion resistant metallic clamps.
6
During the winterization of a vessel, it’s
recommended that you remove the check
valve (if equipped) and drain any residual
water from the plumbing.
Periodically remove, clean and inspect bilge pump,
check valve and its surroundings for damage or
debris that may reduce the performance of the pump.