bilge pump question

[Bob's Garage]

Re: bilge pump question

On another post one of the respondents suggested it would be better to leave out the fuse on the auto side as there is less chance of a fire due to a short, than there is that a corroded or blown fuse could lead to a sinking.

I know that, on my auto system, where the pump cycles every 2 minutes, I found a bad fuse, with no apparent reason. But it did keep the pump from working.

After talking to Rule, we decided that because the boat stayed on a trailer, it might be better to put a cut-off switch in the auto circuit to forestall the battery from being discharged.

This switch gets turned on when the boat is being prepared for launch. I have had no further fuse issues.

So, what do you think; fuse/no fuse?

 

[seabob4]

Re: bilge pump question

can we still be friends ?... I obviously know how to wire this circuit, just thought the OP might be scratchin his head when he saw a second wire coming from his bilge switch...lolol ....plus , that is an excellent drawing now for someone to use to install a bilge system on his boat after a resto...you should make it a sticky on here.
Tight Lines bro !

Stachi,
Like I said, sometimes I assume too much about a particular boater's electrical knowledge. I mean, I know the pump needs a source of power, you know that, but I guess not everyone does...

I don't normally wire floats this way, as I hate fuses (

)! You have to carry spares, the fuse holders get corroded, glass fuses can break in the sockets, just a PITA. I'll use a small breaker panel fed by batt 1 on the battery switch for constant hot items like floats and stereo memory, and I'll feed my trim tab breaker from the common on the switch. That way, if there are any problems, I simply trouble shoot, diagnose and fix, then just push the little button to reset...MUCH easier!

But it is a good illustration of how the pump works from 2 switches, one automatic and the other manual...

 

[seabob4]

Re: bilge pump question

Bob,
Section E-11, AC and DC Electrical Systems, in the ABYC Manual, calls for any lead coming off the battery to be circuit-protected within 7" of the battery, 40" if it encased in conduit or sheathing. Since I work for Proline, we have to follow these requirements.

John Adey, the technical director at ABYC, is a good friend of mine. He has seen more than his share of boating electrical mishaps because of wiring issues. That's the main reason those requirements are in the book.

Now you can do what you want, but even when I'm working on other boats in my sidework that aren't required to follow those guidelines, I still follow them...

 

[findinghomer]

Re: bilge pump question

I can't come up with a good reason to EVER turn OFF an auto float switch...even if the boat sits on a trailer...

this pump i just installed, a rule 500 auto pump, kicks on to check for water every 2.5 minutes and runs for 5 seconds!?!? keep that on while it sits in your driveway your battery be dead in a day or two. personally i think its ridiculous to check every 2.5 minutes, i keep my switch off, and occationally flip it on while im on the boat... only water that enters my boat is rain water, and drip off from swimmers.


i do have a problem though, when i kick the switch on, it runs for a few seconds and empties out water, but then after that, it kicks on to check for water but doesn shoot any water out. problem is, i know there is still water in there bc if i turn it OFF then back ON, it shoots water out. only when its in "Auto" mode does it not pump water.

according to the instructions, when it kicks on to check for water, and there is water, it will continue to run untill that water is pumped out. however it seems like its pumping water only in the 5 second "Check" time . this is a brand new pump, seems like something is wrong.

 

[Bob's Garage]

Re: bilge pump question

As you probably already know, I have the same style Rule. Mine works as intended, but I have checked it by putting water from a hose into the bilge. This will help you verify that the pump is working.

It will also give you an indication on how much water is sitting in your bilge before the pump runs continuously. Some pumps, and some boat designs, will result in a small amount of water being left in the bilge. This water can move around causing the pump to pick up sporadically.

There is even the possibility that some water is remaining in the discharge tube on the "outside" of the pump which is expelled when the pump cycles but is not sufficient to keep the pump running.

Again, this can be verified by putting water in your bilge and observing the results.

If you find that the pump is not working correctly, call Rule. They were very helpful to me, and sent me a replacement pump when one of mine "froze" no questions asked.

 

[findinghomer]

Re: bilge pump question

yea i did that, filled up bilge. Its working properly, guess when you flip it on it pumps, then after that it has to fill up higher than i figured, before it kicks on.