Johnson Pump 05903-00 Cartridge Combo Automatic Submersible Bilge Pump - 12V, 1000 GPH, red

Working flawlessly for years now.

My bilge is always full of leaves, dirt, etc. my old aluminum leaks pretty decent. This bilge pump works well even with the trash. Easy to disassemble and unclog if needed.

I’ve always gotten a good service life from the Johnson brand. I don’t expect any difference with this pump. I would only caution you to check the automatic feature regularly. In the environment these are used in all it takes is one small piece of trash in the right place, and it’s no longer automatic.

I purchased this pump to replace the one that was broken on my boat. At 1600 gph this pump should keep her bilges nice and dry.

This unit was on my boat when I bought it so I have stuck with it because I have the bases already in place and didn’t want to add more holes in the boat by changing to another brand but after dealing with these for about 5 years I am going to change brands . I can’t believe the quality of something so important can be so bad. I have replaced this unit almost every year. The float will stick causing the pump to run risking a dead battery. Since you are supposed to wire the automatic side directly from the battery in case of emergency your battery switch will not help you. I have to take the fuse out in line with it to be sure it doesn’t run . I have driven home from a fishing trip 4 hours and when I got home it was running and it was so hot it was hard to hold in my hand. I guess a bump on the road made it come on. It was not running when I left the water because I flushed the bilge with fresh water as I do every trip. Next as other reviewers said it looses prime I can’t explain how this can be when the whole pump is under water . I discovered this out also as I was my bilge out each trip . You then have to take a water hose and put in in outlet on the through hull fitting and it will start pumping. I have pulled the cartridge out and checked for debris and it’s totally clean. Last some times the motor will just lock up and you can’t turn the impellers by hand but you can break them free with pliers . I know you say corrosion but I have not had one longer than a year before replacing it and I run fresh water every time I get back to shore . Also once you break it free it turns smooth as if nothing was wrong and it works again. If it was corrosion it would feel gritty or something when you spin the impellers . I have another “store brand” bilge pump on another boat going on 8 years now and have never had an issue and that is an open John boat so it’s always got trash in the strainer but it keeps working.

I seen it was 1000 or 1100 gpm, I thought it would be suitable for 28 foot boat. When I got it, it was small and had 5/8" or 3/4" hose outlets. My boat had 1 1/8" outlet. This pump looks small like a 500-800gpm. I'll install this pump in my 20' boat eventually but I lost outlet screw on nipple. I can get a water hose nipple at hardware store I think? After installation, I can reply on operation.

Everything works as designed and I have already witnessed the auto pump working due to my leaky boat.The wiring diagram is not very clear for those of us who wish to use an existing switch but still allow the float to turn the pump on.

I just wished someone would have pointed this product out years ago. Great product was a simple install