bilge pump float switch controls accessories

capnrobalo

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May 15, 2005
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22
Hi,
I'm having some interesting issues with my electrical system in my 96 Robalo 2120. I have a dual battery system with a battery switch. I am wondering if my bilge pump is shorted out internally because here is what happens. The bilge pump does not cut on either by the manual switch or float switch. But, with the battery switch in the OFF position, I can turn the manual bilge switch on, and turn on an accessory like the courtesy lights. At this point, my courtesy lights are off. Now, if i manually raise the float on the bilge pump switch, my courtesy lights come on. It's not just the courtesy lights but any of the accessories. Basically, it looks like I have full power to everything just from the float switch. Could this occur if the bilge pump is shorted out? Can someone give me some hints? Thanks!

Jason
 

bruceb58

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Mar 5, 2006
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Re: bilge pump float switch controls accessories

You have a ground connection problem somewhere.
 

yorkserv

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Apr 14, 2005
Messages
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Re: bilge pump float switch controls accessories

You have a ground connection problem somewhere.

I agree what is probably happening you are from the battery and you are probably making the ground through the bilge pump does it do all this while the on/off switch to the batter is in the off position. and do your courtesy lights come on if you pull the switch to the easiest way to troubleshoot it is make your own wiring diagram of how you think the accesories on you boat are wired and you can start eliminating objects
 

tashasdaddy

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Re: bilge pump float switch controls accessories

there is something definately wire wrong. when the pump switch is engaged, it's feeding the access. circuit. is this one of the auto/ manual pumps. with 3 wires. i think you have the 3 wire connections wrong. sound like one of the + wires has been used as the ground, and the ground as them feed from the switch.
 

bruceb58

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Re: bilge pump float switch controls accessories

If one of the positive wires was used as a ground, a fuse would blow.

Just check your grounds!
 

capnrobalo

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May 15, 2005
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Re: bilge pump float switch controls accessories

Thanks all for the replies. Unfortunately I'm out of town and away from the boat now so I can't verify the wiring. The pump is one of West Marine's - probably the 2200Gph model. And the float switch is a Sure Bail (the blue box). I can't remember offhand how many wires there were. If the pump does have three wires, how should they be connected? I've had this pump for almost 3 years now wired this way and haven't noticed anything funky. But, of course now the pump isn't working and I've got other strange electrical happenings.
 

capnrobalo

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May 15, 2005
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Re: bilge pump float switch controls accessories

yes, all of the accessories have power available when the following conditions are true:

battery switch in the OFF position
manual bilge pump switch (the one on the panel in the console) is ON
float bilge pump switch is raised (ON)

if the float switch is lowered (OFF) then the accessories that were ON go OFF

thanks for the help
 

tashasdaddy

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Re: bilge pump float switch controls accessories

ok the auto switch is fed directly from the battery, the manual is fed from the fuse block, with both switches on you are backfeeding the fuse block. thru the manual switch. do they turn off when the manual switch is off and the auto is on.
 

capnrobalo

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May 15, 2005
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Re: bilge pump float switch controls accessories

yes, the auto (float) switch is fed directly from the battery and the manual switch is fed from the fuse block (breaker panel). and yes, they turn off when the manual switch is off and the auto switch is on.

your backfeeding suggestion is how i understand it. but, is this normal? i'm guessing that since the bilge pump is not working, it is shorted or something and allowing the current to flow through it to the breaker panel and since the manual switch there is on, all of the panel ends up getting power.

is this only happening because the bilge pump is busted, or should i have a diode or something inline between the bilge pump and the breaker panel to keep this from occurring?? thanks!
 

bruceb58

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30,588
Re: bilge pump float switch controls accessories

Tasha is correct.

The float switch is back feeding the fuse panel. A diode would fix this but having the manual switch in the on position while the battery is off is not a normal mode so that is why you really don't need the diode.

Here is basically how the pump is wired:
pump.gif


And this explains why you get power to the +12V switched line.
 

tashasdaddy

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Re: bilge pump float switch controls accessories

i have to total independant bilge pumps in my boat on different batteries, and thru hulls, just in case. one is auto/manual like yours, the other manual. this is just for emergencies, as it is a center console, and not self bailing. i never turn the auto at the dash, other than to check it. thats why you have the float switch. replace your bilge pump, it obviously has power to it.
 

capnrobalo

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May 15, 2005
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Re: bilge pump float switch controls accessories

ok. thanks everyone for the help. when i get back to the boat i will replace the bilge pump (think it is still under a 3 yr warranty) and hopefully i will be good to go.
 
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