I’ve been busy preparing everything before I leave – one of the important bits of safety kit (especially for paddling solo) is an electric pump. I hope I never have to use it. Here is how I installed it:
![Skin fitting just behind the front bulkhead.](https://2013.guyatsea.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/skin_fitting-300x225.jpg)
First I fitted the skin fitting (using a torch inside the boat and a chinagraph pencil to mark the position of the front bulkhead). The skin fitting was then sealed with a some sikaflex.
The pump I am using is a Whale SuperSub 650. This is very compact, can empty the cockpit of the kayak in a couple of minutes, and has a built in solid-state sensor which allows it to be used under either automatic or manual control.
![SuperSub 650 Pump connected to the skin fitting.](https://2013.guyatsea.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/supersub_650-300x225.jpg)
With the pump installed behind the front bulkhead, there is enough room to fit a non-return valve between the pump and the skin fitting, while keeping a straight run of pipe to maximise efficiency of the pump. A cable gland was then fitted to take the pump wiring through the front bulkhead to the battery box.
![The battery box in the front compartment](https://2013.guyatsea.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/pump_batterybox-300x225.jpg)
For the battery box, I am using an otterbox onto which I have fitted a side entry cable gland. Inside the box, is 5A fuse, a 12v remote switch receiver and a 6Ah lithium battery (more about these later). This all fits so tightly into the otterbox that I didn’t even need to add any padding to stop it rattling. The battery box is not mounted in the front compartment as I think having it loose makes it easier to pack the boat when it is very full.
![Remote switch sealed and stored in a pocket.](https://2013.guyatsea.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/pump_remote-300x225.jpg)
I’m using remote switches as this minimises wiring, while still allowing manual control of the pump. The remote switches are each sealed in a vacuum bag to keep them dry, with one in the pocket of my cag, and the backup switch stored somewhere in the day hatch. If I lose the remotes or there is problem with the receiver, it only will only take a couple of minutes on the beach to change the pump back to automatic control.