Most Frequently Asked Questions:
01
Q: What do you mean by quad pumps? Is this one pump with four pickups?
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A: The multiple pump systems have dedicated pumps for each of the individual pickups. Example: The quad pump (four pump) system has four independent motors with diaphragm pumps for each of the four inputs to the pump. The outputs are joined inside the enclosure to allow easier plumbing of a single discharge hose.
02
Q: What is the maximum distance a bilge water pickup can be run from the BILGE-B-DRY pump, and from the BILGE-B-DRY pump to an overboard discharge? Can I install my BILGE-B-DRY pump in any orientation?
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A: Thorough testing has proven that a maximum run of 25 feet from the pickup to the pump and 25 feet from the pump to overboard discharge is acceptable. This is not a limitation - it is only what has been tested to date. You can install a BILGE-B-DRY pump in any orientation - horizontal or vertical.
03
Q: Can I add a "T" or "Y" connector to my BILGE-B-DRY pickup tubing to add an additional pickup to my unit?
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A: Unfortunately, no. We designed our BILGE-B-DRY systems so each diaphragm pump within the enclosure has a dedicated input hose and pickup. Splitting an input hose creates very poor pump performance and reduces the pump's ability to pull water efficiently, if at all.
04
Q: I have an angled deadrise in the lowest spots in my bilge (deep "V"), and I can't place my bilge water pickup(s) on a flat, horizontal surface. Can I use the input tubing without a water pickup?
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A: Yes! If you find that your pickups do not fit in tight bilge spaces, you can use a 1/4" Garden Mesh Water Filter. This allows you to place the open end of the tube without a pickup in the location you need to pull water. Micro Filter
05
Q: How much tubing is provided with my BILGE-B-DRY purchase and what is the tubing diameter?
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A: BBD Single Pump -
10' of input tubing provided / 10' of output tubing provided
OD input tubing - 1/4" OD output tubing- 1/4"
ID input tubing - 1/8" ID output tubing - 1/8"
BBD Dual Pump -
10' of input tubing provided / 6' of output tubing provided
OD input tubing - 1/4" OD output tubing- 3/8"
ID input tubing - 1/8" ID output tubing - 1/4"
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BBD Triple Pump -
20' of input tubing / 6' of output tubing provided
OD input tubing - 1/4" OD output tubing- 3/8"
ID input tubing - 1/8" ID output tubing - 1/4"
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BBD Quad Pump -
20' of input tubing / 6' of output tubing provided
OD input tubing - 1/4" OD output tubing- 3/8"
ID input tubing - 1/8" ID output tubing - 1/4"
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Please use Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) or Polyurethane (PU) tubing if purchasing more.
You can find extra tubing online from Home Depot: Home Depot tubing
or Amazon: Amazon tubing
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06
Q: What is the maximum suction or head height?
A: The maximum demonstrated total vertical height is 8 feet, as demonstrated on a sailboat with a pickup placed five feet below the BILGE-B-DRY pump in the keel and additional three feet vertical rise from the pump to the overboard discharge. This is not a limitation - it is only what has been tested to date.
07
Q: Can I intersect my BILGE-B-DRY discharge tubing with my current bilge pump outflow tube to an existing thru-hull? What are my other discharge options?
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A: Yes - you need to ensure your primary bilge pump has a backflow preventor, or water will re-enter the bilge. Or you can ensure that the discharge is on the downward side of your bilge pump hose discharge loop.
Some customers choose to discharge via a sink drain, overboard cockpit drain or into a shower basin. "T" fittings work well in most installations. Black HDPE Hose Barb Tees
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Our standard 3/8" OD outlet tubing on our multi-pump units is sometimes too small to transition into the larger tee fittings required for most bilge pump hose, so you can increase the size of our outlet tubing by using one of these stem adapters: LIQUIfit™ Hose Stem
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The nature of the diaphragm pump(s) within the BILGE-B-DRY unit inherently prevents backflow for water to come back into the bilge.
08
Q: What gauge wiring should I use to wire my BILGE-B-DRY pump to my boat's battery?
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A: Please refer to our Online Installation Guide page 12 for more information on wiring gauge selection: Wiring Gauge Chart
09
Q: Can the Mobile App control each individual diaphragm pump within the BILGE-B-DRY unit, or do the pumps run simultaneously? If the pumps run simultaneously, can a pump run dry?
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A: The pump(s) within a BILGE-B-DRY unit activate and run simultaneously, and the diaphragm pump(s) can run dry without damage to the BILGE-B-DRY unit. The Mobile App cannot control usage or activation of each pump separately, but since the pump(s) can run dry, having all the pumps run at once does not affect the lifespan or performance of the unit.
10
Q: Why does my BILGE-B-DRY run at different times than selected in the Schedule?
A: If power was disconnected from BILGE-B-DRY, the internal clock resets to 8:00 AM. Once you connect again with the Mobile App, the internal clock will be restored to your local time.
The BILGE-B-DRY internal clock can “drift” over time. To update, re-connect to BILGE-B-DRY with the Mobile App and the internal clock will be updated automatically.
11
Q: Why is my BILGE-B-DRY pump running, but no longer pumping water?
A: Water flow may be restricted due to debris or petroleum. If your bilge experienced a significant oil spill, the pickup filter will become oil saturated, restricting water flow. Please check and maintain the pickup filter material. Learn more about Water Pickup Filter Maintenance.
Visit our YouTube link to learn how to clear any potential debris or petroleum-based liquids with our syringe technique. Video Link: Syringe Clearing Technique
*Caution: Excessive pumping of oil, diesel or fuel will cause the diaphragm and rubber valves to swell and lead to pump failure. If you know you pumped petroleum-based liquids, immediately rinse with Dawn dish soap to help prevent permanent pump damage. * Please refer to the Troubleshooting procedure in the Instructions on our Installation page.
12
Q: Why won't my mobile device or tablet connect to my BILGE-B-DRY unit?
A: Verify your fuse has not blown or circuit breaker tripped
Force close the mobile app and restart
If still unable to connect, remove power from your BILGE-B-DRY unit and re-apply power after 15 seconds and try again.
Verify you see the light as shown in the Troubleshooting section in the Instructions on our Installation page. If you do not see the light and are unable to connect, please reach out via our Warranty Page to submit a warranty claim.
13
Q: I have installed two BILGE-B-DRY units. How do I connect to both with my Mobile App?
A: Wireless connectivity will not allow for connecting to multiple systems at the same time; therefore, our design is based on first-in connection followed by first-out with a delay to reconnect. (What does that mean? The last system connected will not advertise its location for 10 seconds, allowing connection to the other unit).
Example: One unit is in your cabin bilge, the other is in your engine room bilge. Upon opening the BILGE-B-DRY Mobile App, the App will randomly connect to either the cabin or engine bilge. You will be able to schedule and run the timer for this unit only. When done, close the BILGE-B-DRY app (swipe-up) and re-open the app within 10 seconds to auto-connect to the other bilge unit for scheduling or timer operation. Each unit will now have saved your changes and will run the schedules you programmed.
14
Q: I have water in two separate compartments of my bilge - forward and aft. Can I install two water sensors with one BILGE-B-DRY unit? Do I need two BILGE-B-DRY units and a sensor for each?
A: You can definitely install two water sensors (wired or wireless) with a single BILGE-B-DRY unit, but you would need at least a BILGE-B-DRY Dual Pump, since the water sensors need to be placed near or zip-tied to a water pickup. When either sensor (forward or aft) detects water, the pump will activate and pull water from BOTH pickups. If one area at that time does not have water, then that pickup will pull air and run dry, which does not negatively affect the unit. Some customers choose to purchase two separate pumps with a dedicated sensor for each, in order to better manage pump performance or maintenance.
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15
Q: Do I need to winterize my BILGE-B-DRY pump?
A: Yes! If you are living in an area where you are sure your BILGE-B-DRY pump could be prone to freezing temperatures, we recommend running antifreeze through the pump for 30 seconds, then allowing the pump to run dry for 2 minutes.