Bilge pump wiring question

[Brandon5778]

Hello, so I have been searching around reading about bilge pumps because mine needs replaced. My boat now has a manual on/off switch at the helm as well as a float switch that would turn it on at a certain point of course. However, all I see is guides on how to wire it and replace it with a 3-way switch for on, off, and automatic (I really don't want to change the factory look at the steering wheel). How would I wire just a direct on/off switch as well as the float switch?

 

[tpenfield]

It sounds like you can use the wiring that is already in place. Here is a picture that I Googled of what you probably have. . .

If you are just replacing the pump, then you will just be connecting to the existing wiring at the pump.

 

[gm280]

That is a very good schematic tpenfield supplied above for the correct wiring for such a float/manual switch. Only thing I would add is, with such a setup, the float switch is always connected to the battery even with the battery disconnect switch opened or turn off. I say that so you realize that even sitting at you home, the float switch is still able to turn on the pump. And that is a good thing for rain water and such getting into the hull. But also remember that you have to keep the battery charged or it could run out of power. JMHO!

 

[Brandon5778]

That is a very good schematic tpenfield supplied above for the correct wiring for such a float/manual switch. Only thing I would add is, with such a setup, the float switch is always connected to the battery even with the battery disconnect switch opened or turn off. I say that so you realize that even sitting at you home, the float switch is still able to turn on the pump. And that is a good thing for rain water and such getting into the hull. But also remember that you have to keep the battery charged or it could run out of power. JMHO!

My regular routine is to disconnect the battery every time I put the boat in storage, so I'm not worried about that. Thanks for the diagram tpen.

My next question is what kind of pump to buy? I'm looking at like a 750 gph one but to wire it up like this I can just buy a regular manual pump not an automatic, right? I already have a float switch.

 

[tpenfield]

Correct. You don't need an automatic pump, the float switch does that.