bilge pump wiring. My head is going to explode

matt167

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Sep 27, 2012
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I was doing some investigation on my new boat and figured out that my bilge pump is powered by the radio power ( AM/FM/ bluetooth ), and that it's actually a 7 conductor 16 AWG Monster speaker cable going back to the battery.. Obviously that isn't going to fly on an important circuit, especially with the 800 GPH Rule pump that I bought to replace the bottom of the barrel 450 GPH that was in it.

Now I bought 14/3 marine tinned wire for use with bilge pumps, a Ruleomatic float switch and a bilge pump switch panel that will help cover up the mess on the dash.

With the 3 conductors going up to the switch panel, how do I wire this?
 

Bondo

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Ayuh,...... 1 wire is ground,.....
1 wire is switched power, to over-ride the float switch,......
The 3rd wire is constant power for the float switch,.....
 

matt167

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thanks guys.. I think in my head I was making it more difficult than it is
 

matt167

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Digging up my old thread for more bilge pump wiring..

Big boat has 2 bilge pump outlets so I bought 2 new Rule 800s and an Atwood float switch. The switch is rated to 12a. The pumps are 4.5 each. Is it safe if I wire them as one controlled by the same switch? The switch has the rating but is it okay to go that close to rating? The dash switch is a new Seachoice push pull switch I think is good to like 20a

Or I could wire one automatic and one manual
 

dubs283

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Jul 27, 2005
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Many bigger boats (30' class +) will run multiple bilge pumps.

Some do a standard bilge pump in the engine room with auto/float/manual control along with a high water (failsafe) bilge pump that is auto/float controlled only with a warning horn/light at the helm

Others do the above with a third bilge pump midship/sump/fwd designation and in most cases will be auto/float/manual controlled

The choice is yours as to how you set up your system. Just ensure the pumps are rated for volume/flow based on hull displacement/mass and the float switch(es) are oriented proper
 

Scott Danforth

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the rule pump curves are accurate. you will be fine
 

matt167

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My boats an 18’ StarCraft and I’m not sure how original it actually is, but it has a bilge outlet in the same spot port and starboard. When I bought it it had a Rule 500 tossed in the bilge

I never thought about adding a warning horn but it’s not a bad idea.. the float side of the circuit will be powered off the engine block connections
 

warmhamsandwich

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Sep 30, 2021
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Can anyone tell me where these wires go!?!? Stupid me never took a photo before taking the wires off my bilge switch!
My boat is a 2007 G3 185F, it sank last year because my bilges died! I replaced both bilges with Rule 1100's. I'm ready to sink it again!!!!
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
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Can anyone tell me where these wires go!?!? Stupid me never took a photo before taking the wires off my bilge switch!
My boat is a 2007 G3 185F, it sank last year because my bilges died! I replaced both bilges with Rule 1100's. I'm ready to sink it again!!!!
Suggest you start your own thread regarding your own boat.
 
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