Install a Single Pump Kit

These instructions are written assuming that the pump kit is being installed in a Ridge Spirit Outfitting saddle.

Verify Package Contents

The single pump kit includes the following:

  • 1x pump
  • 1x wiring harness
  • 2x butt connectors
  • 2x ring terminals
  • 1x switch and mounting plate
  • 1x thru-hull fitting
  • 3 ft. of bilge hose
  • 2x zip ties

Supplies You Will Need

  • Tape (optional)

Tools You Will Need

  • A piece of stiff wire, like a coat hanger (optional)
  • Wrench / screwdriver to remove existing thwart hardware
  • Drill motor
  • Drill bits
  • Permanent marker
  • 1-3/8 inch hole saw
  • Wire cutting / stripping tool
  • Wire crimping tool
  • Small flat head screwdriver

Install the Wiring Harness

Feed the end of the wiring harness into the small hole at the back of the saddle until it protrudes into the pass-thru.  If you find pushing the wire difficult, tape the end of the wiring harness to a piece of stiff wire (like a coat hanger) and pull the wiring harness into the pass-thru.

Continue to feed the end of the wiring harness through large hole at the front of the pass-thru until it is protruding from the front of the saddle.

Connect the Pump to the Wiring Harness

Before proceeding, ensure there is enough of the harness sticking out of  the back of the saddle to allow the battery to be connected.

Snip the BLACK wire ONLY inside the pass-thru.  Peel the black wire back in both directions from where you just snipped it.

Shorten the pump’s wires (black and brown) to only a few inches long.  Using butt connectors, crimp the black pump wire to the black harness wire that runs to the back of the saddle where the battery is located.  Next, crimp the brown pump wire to the black harness wire that runs to the front of the saddle where the switch is located.  See the schematic below.  Please note that polarity is important here – hooking up the wires incorrectly will cause the pump to run backwards and pump at a much lower efficiency.

Install the Bilge Hose

Feed the bilge hose through the hole at the front of the saddle so that it protrudes into the pass-thru and out the side of the saddle.

Firmly press the end of the bilge hose over the pump outlet until it stops.  The end of the bilge hose that fits on the pump should be a non-corrugated section of the hose (which occurs every foot).  When fit correctly, the bilge hose doesn’t need a hose clamp to securely attach to the pump.

Install the Switch

Before proceeding, ensure there is enough of the harness sticking out of  the back of the saddle to allow the battery to be connected.

Shorten the wiring harness to an appropriate length to reach where the switch will be mounted.  Crimp a ring terminal onto each wire.

Use a small flat head screwdriver to attach the two ring terminals to the switch.  It does not matter which wire is attached to which terminal on the switch.  Install the switch into the switch plate, with the nut and star washer on top of the plate.

Drill a hole in the switch plate, then mount it on the underside of the thwart.  This location will keep the top of the switch’s toggle below the top of the gunwales on most canoes.

 Install the Thru-Hull Fitting

Please consider the following BEFORE drilling a hole in the hull for the thru-hull fitting.

  • DO NOT mount the thru-hull fitting below the canoe’s water line, or the canoe will take on water.
  • DO NOT mount the thru-hull fitting on a highly curved section of the hull, or the flange and/or nut may not sit flat.
  • DO NOT mount the thru-hull fitting too close to the gunwales, or the flange and/or nut may not sit flat.
  • DO NOT mount the thru-hull fitting where it will interfere with the saddle or the airbags, or in any way that will impede the ability of the paddler to wet exit the boat.

Use a permanent marker to mark the center of where the thru-hull fitting will go on the outside of the hull.  Use a drill motor and a 1-3/8 inch hole saw to drill through the hull.  Install the thru-hull fitting into the hull and tighten the nut.

Complete Installation

Pull the bilge hose from the front of the saddle until the pump is in the pass-thru under the saddle.  Shorten the bilge hose as necessary and firmly press the end over the  thru-hull fitting until it stops.  If necessary, use the included zip ties to fix the hose to the fitting.  A short, direct route of the bilge hose will provide the best performance.