bilge problem

[John Cooper]

I recently bought a 1996 sun dancer, when the battery is connected, my bilge pump runs for about 3 seconds, is off for about two minutes and twenty seconds then repeats the cycle, if i turn the pump switch on, it runs like it should, i don't know what is causing this, the boat also has a fuel vapor warning unit which is on when the battery is connected, could this possibly be where the intermittent power source is coming from? i'm stumped any help will be greatly apprecieated.

 

[ThomW]

Does your bilge have a float switch that is connected to it? That would typically be wired right to the power source and not a switch. Could be an issue with the float.

 

[flashback]

Sounds like you have an electronic sensor type pump. They do that normally..

 

[Bondo]

I recently bought a 1996 sun dancer, when the battery is connected, my bilge pump runs for about 3 seconds, is off for about two minutes and twenty seconds then repeats the cycle, if i turn the pump switch on, it runs like it should, i don't know what is causing this, the boat also has a fuel vapor warning unit which is on when the battery is connected, could this possibly be where the intermittent power source is coming from? i'm stumped any help will be greatly apprecieated.

Ayuh,...... Welcome Aboard,.... I once bought a rule automatic pump like that,..... it sucked,.....
I rewired it through a float switch insteada that automatic chip,....

 

[flashback]

Ayuh,...... Welcome Aboard,.... I once bought a rule automatic pump like that,..... it sucked,.....

That's what it's supposed to do!

 

[Alumarine]

From a Rule manual.
"The pump checks for water every 2 ½ minutes by running for a second and measuring load against the impeller. If water is present, the pump remains on until the water is removed. Thereafter it resumes its 2 ½ minute check cycle."

 

[Bondo]

From a Rule manual.
"The pump checks for water every 2 ½ minutes by running for a second and measuring load against the impeller. If water is present, the pump remains on until the water is removed. Thereafter it resumes its 2 ½ minute check cycle."

Ayuh,..... What it does, is kills the battery,.....

 

[Chris1956]

Gee, Bondo. I run one of those pumps in each of my boats. I never had a dead battery. I think they work real well.

I have run pumps with separate float switches. They get a piece of jetsam under the float and run the battery dead.

The pumps with built in floats are nice, but the float tend to break in a year. I have several of them laying around as manual pumps only.

 

[mike_i]

What flashback said. What make and model is it, as others have said it may be normal for that pump.

 

[flashback]

It activates every 2 1/2. minutes for a couple of seconds. Not a huge drain if you use the boat often but could be a problem over a couple of weeks.. could mean the difference between starting or not starting...

 

[dingbat]

It activates every 2 1/2. minutes for a couple of seconds. Not a huge drain if you use the boat often but could be a problem over a couple of weeks.. could mean the difference between starting or not starting...

Sensing consumption:

2.7 watts per day
18.9 watts per week
81 watts per month
972 watts per year

If you have a problem starting the boat after consuming 81 watts in a month, your long over due for a new battery

 

[flashback]

Sensing consumption:

2.7 watts per day
18.9 watts per week
81 watts per month
972 watts per year

If you have a problem starting the boat after consuming 81 watts in a month, your long over due for a new battery

I agree with you but that's not the only parasite on most modern boats especially if you throw in a few pump cycles..

 

[Chris1956]

What other parasitic drains are on your boat?

I have no others on mine. I even wire all accessories thru a master go switch so I do not leave the FF or radio on.

 

[dingbat]

I agree with you but that's not the only parasite on most modern boats especially if you throw in a few pump cycles..

Should be no parasitic drain at all if the boat is wired correctly, i.e. nothing but bilge pump(s) wired directly to battery.

Both of my batteries are completely isolated from any load on the boat when I turn the battery switch to off.

 

[04fxdwgi25]

90% of the newer radios require a constant 12V to maintain memory, but I would guess it would be very close to 0 of a drain.

 

[dingbat]

90% of the newer radios require a constant 12V to maintain memory, but I would guess it would be very close to 0 of a drain.

They don’t “require” anything. It’s your choice to power memory or not.

 

[airshot]

My built in radio has a power switch as well as the on/ off button, when the power switch is off, the meter shows NO power going to the radio at all, yet the memory stays, all winter long !! Guessing a built in battery ?? Lawn mower is similiar...removed the battery over the winter, but the hour meter/ oil change reminder readout still works!!

 

[dingbat]

My built in radio has a power switch as well as the on/ off button, when the power switch is off, the meter shows NO power going to the radio at all, yet the memory stays, all winter long !! Guessing a built in battery ?? Lawn mower is similiar...removed the battery over the winter, but the hour meter/ oil change reminder readout still works!!

Must have NVRAM like most computerized things. They saved 50 cents going with the power requirement

 

[airshot]

OK....not an electrician here, or a computor wiz, so what is NVRAM if I may ask???

 

[flashback]

OK....not an electrician here, or a computor wiz, so what is NVRAM if I may ask???

I think it's a memory chip that is non violent..