Bilge pump float switch install

[Cajunchuck]

Hi folks this is my first post after lurking for years. I have a question regarding wiring in float switches. My boat has a single pump wired into a manual helm switch. The switch is a rocker shared with the livewell aerator (can only have one running at a time). I would like to add a float switch for peace of mind on overnight trips,etc. How best to proceed? I think I could wire the float straight to the battery (fused of course) so it would always be there if needed. I could also manually run the pump from the helm switch if desired but I could leave it "OFF" most of the time. Is this correct? If so it would simplify things greatly for me. Not a fan of running more wiring than needed Any help appreciated!

 

[alldodge]

A bilge pump should be hard wired direct to the battery thru the float switch. The switch at the helm should only be there to run it in manual mode. In the pic below the switch supplies power to the pump from the helm for manual mode. The alarm can be a light or sounding device, but not necessary

 

[Scott Danforth]

many bilge pumps have 3 wires to make life easy. ground, dash switch, float switch.

 

[Cajunchuck]

Got it thanks! So hard wire the float switch to the battery. That way it will kick on even when the helm switch is off. Thanks it really makes it easier on me. I hate running wires and I can access the pump/battery without too much trouble. I wish it would have been that way "out of the box" though. I guess that's what I get for buying a Tracker though LOL.

 

[alldodge]

Hey, don't be just a lurker, say something every now and then.

 

[dennis461]

check your bilge pump make and model, many have the float switch built in.

 

[sam am I]

I added a diode so my buzzer/alarm only sounded when the float happened to be running the pump....... As I sometimes manually run the pump if i washing the bilge out or something, didn't want to hear the alarm in that case, otherwise, the float coming on-line means trouble and it sounds.

BTW and totally a sidebar here but, IMHO, this particular wiring scheme shown here and above that Don/Dodge provided is the safest as it doesn't allow the user to accidentally leave a/the pump switch in a position (off) such that the pump won't work........I have seen some schemes where a switch used(on/off/on) as "auto/off/manual" can be left/bumped into a "off" position and I'm not really sure that is the wisest way to wire a bilge pump.