Question: This bilge pump: what do they mean by 'maximum head'? (details inside)?

(Posted by: . on 2010-08-07 11:05:50)

This bilge pump: http:/ / www.jamestowndistributors.com/ userportal/ show_product.do?pid=13658 &BECOME On the page, it gives specs. One is for 'maximum head'. I need to know what they are talking about as I may buy this pump. I am not trying to make a joke or say something nasty. Thanks.

Posted by: JetDoc on 2010-08-07, 11:08:07

Maximum head is the distance the pump can lift water from the bilge to the drain.

Posted by: Charles B on 2010-08-07, 11:16:38

It is the maximum height it can deliver the bilge content to your oily water separator/ drain/ overboard

Posted by: David Beierl on 2010-08-07, 11:43:01

That is a very interesting specification. For a centrifugal pump it's the height at which water will just barely flow from the outlet.. However the pump in question is a positive-displacement diaphragm pump; and if it and you were strong enough it could probably pump to the moon. But 10 meters is as high as Whale think you should pump with this pump, for whatever reason. That corresponds to about 15 psi pressure. I suspect that in this case it's the maximum safe working load for the handle, or maybe even your strength of arm. A 1- 1/ 2 " column of water ten meters high weighs ~26 pounds, and the force where the handle couples to the diaphragm will be considerably more than that . I've broken the handle on a Whale pump, although not that particular model (Gusher, I believe). Generally speaking though they're good, robust pumps and I wouldn't hesitate to buy one -- I replaced the broken one with another just like it and it served well for many years. If you're curious about the real reason, ask Whale. You can reach them at whalepumps.com/ contact_us/

Posted by: Girly Brains on 2010-08-07, 21:28:06

It is the maximum height that the pump is designed to lift the intended fluid to, measured from the level of the fluid's surface from where it picks it up. (Which hopefully gets lower, as it pumps!) The vertical height. (Not the distance). -|--)

Posted by: olivercheetham on 2010-08-07, 22:57:04

I think you will find it's the max height the pump will lift to before failing to pump