bilge pump

[jlscjs]

should my bilge pump only run if there is water to pump out, I turn the switch on but it runs constantly, never shuts off.

 

[tpenfield]

Yes, only if there is water to pump

 

[alldodge]

should my bilge pump only run if there is water to pump out, I turn the switch on but it runs constantly, never shuts off.

If your turning the switch on the dash to ON then it will continue to run. The switch should have two positions and when on it sends power to the pump, in the "Automatic" position the power is controlled by the float switch in the bilge. Note the Off position should not be there in pic below

 

[airshot]

Need to consider the type of pump you have, my particular pump has a built in float so there is no extra float switch as shown in the posted diagram. In my case only two wires are needed and the float switch is built in without additional wiring. Just thought I would throw this in the mix in case you had a pump with a built in float switch. Switch on dash operates pump all the time, switch off allows float switch to take over pump operation. Hope this helps

 

[steelespike]

Your pump is setup for on demand. if you need it turn it on.
If you get a lot of stray water do a float setup.Only problem is if it sticks you end up with a dead battery.

 

[fhhuber]

The float switch is "optional" and you are switching on to the position that bypasses it (if you have a float switch) and forces the pump to run.

Common to see a bilge pump on a 3 way switch for:
off- float- on
Where float = the float switch turns the pump on when needed.

But the float will turn the pump off when there's still enough water in the bilge for the pump to be able to remove a significant amount, so put the pump to the on position until no water is being pumped out after the float switch had the pump running.

 

[robert graham]

For my purposes I prefer a " manual only" bilge pump....it's either on or off as I set the switch on the dashboard.....no automatic switches to screw up and run my battery dead....of course the downside to this is if I leave the boat moored overnight and it rains a lot....lots of water in the bilge....if I did a lot of mooring uncovered I'd have to consider the automatic bilge...

 

[airshot]

I have noticed a number of people concerned about the float switch sticking and draining the battery. I do my own maintenance and do check the area around the bilge pump for debris however, in more than 50 yrs of boating I have never had a float switch stick, mabey just lucky or mabey the preventative maintenance I don't know, but I will always have an automatic float switch for the just in case moment.

 

[robert graham]

I have noticed a number of people concerned about the float switch sticking and draining the battery. I do my own maintenance and do check the area around the bilge pump for debris however, in more than 50 yrs of boating I have never had a float switch stick, mabey just lucky or mabey the preventative maintenance I don't know, but I will always have an automatic float switch for the just in case moment.

So I'm just a worry wart about automatic devices, switches, dashboard/instrument lights and other potential battery drains....we camp on the boat in some remote areas so a dead battery is a concern. I'm confident the automatic float switches are generally dependable....

 

[airshot]

So I'm just a worry wart about automatic devices, switches, dashboard/instrument lights and other potential battery drains....we camp on the boat in some remote areas so a dead battery is a concern. I'm confident the automatic float switches are generally dependable....

I worry about them also and that is why I have two batteries on board. One is for starting main engine only and a large deep cycle battery for all accessories including bilge pumps. I do have a backup bilge pump on the starting battery but it is set higher than the main one. It would take a major leak for that one to kick in but the idea is I always have starting power and the deep cycle lasts a long time. I normally only charge it a couple times thru the entire summer.

 

[poconojoe]

Your bilge pump may be manual only. Mine was manual and I replaced the entire pump with the automatic type. You can add a float switch if you want. You don't have to change the whole pump. I did that for ease of installation and piece of mind.
My new pump has 3 wires. A negative, a positive constant hot and an over ride for manual operation by the helm switch.

 

[fhhuber]

The new type of float switches actually have no float to get stuck. They work on the principal of change in inductance of a coil when its surrounded by air vs water. No moving parts.

 

[Blind Date]

IMHO any bilge pump without an automatic switch is next to worthless. Having a dead battery because of the remote possibility that a switch might stick is a 1000X better than a boat full of water. Never had a switch stick, but I have had 2 boats fill with water while I was basically standing right next to them. Both times an automatic switch would have alerted me to the problem before it became a problem. 2 is also the number of times that an automatic bilge pump saved me from a possible catastrophe.

My advice is to install a bilge pump with an automatic switch ASAP. Some of the best money you can spend on a boat.

 

[roscoe]

The new type of float switches actually have no float to get stuck. They work on the principal of change in inductance of a coil when its surrounded by air vs water. No moving parts.

And many people have had problems with these automatic float less pumps.

 

[eddie haskell]

You guys that are worried about a pump draining your battery, there is a simple "flow switch" you can plumb into the discharge line. If no flow of water to "close" the circuit it won't energize the pump, like what the oil injection systems have.

 

[poconojoe]

You guys that are worried about a pump draining your battery, there is a simple "flow switch" you can plumb into the discharge line. If no flow of water to "close" the circuit it won't energize the pump, like what the oil injection systems have.

Nice idea!