bilge pump question

D

dsm1212

New Member
May 1, 2016
12
NH
Boat Info
2008 Select EX (SLX)
Axius with older VesselView & Northstar 550 Chartplotter
Engines
Twin MAG 350's
I purchased a used 2008 300 SLX in the spring. Very good condition and pretty stock. Documentation is pretty slim. No problem wth water, but I'm wondering about the bilge pump. Is it automatic and directly connected to the batteries so I can turn off the power? It seems I usually have to flip the bilge pump switch to pump out a few gallons (i only get to the boat every couple of weeks).

I see what looks like a float (sort of a round t shape sitting on the bottom between the engines). I'm guessing I just haven't seen it deep enough to come on automatically or I missed it when it did, but I'd like to know it is automatic and what I need to leave "on".

thanks
steve
 
Um, duh, I guess I should just pick up the float thing laying there and see if it comes on next time I'm at the boat.
 
It should be wired straight to a battery and yes, lifting the float should turn it on. Bilge pumps are designed to run automatically if the water raises the float, or you can turn them on manually using the helm switch.
 
Steve195 said:
It should be wired straight to a battery and yes, lifting the float should turn it on. Bilge pumps are designed to run automatically if the water raises the float, or you can turn them on manually using the helm switch.
Click to expand...
+1

And it's good to verify that it is indeed wired straight to a battery. Hopefully no POs changed up the wiring on such a critical item, but you don't want to discover that the hard way! Turn off the battery/batteries and then lift the float.
 
trflgrl said:
+1

And it's good to verify that it is indeed wired straight to a battery. Hopefully no POs changed up the wiring on such a critical item, but you don't want to discover that the hard way! Turn off the battery/batteries and then lift the float.
Click to expand...

better yet is turn off the battery master switches and fill the bilge with enough water from a hose to naturally float the switch to confirm it and the pump are working properly.....if you manually lift the float switch to test the pump you are by-passing a test of the float switch.....it is possible the float switch could work when you manually operate it but it may not naturally float high enough in rising water to activate the pump.....

cliff
 
Last edited:
Excellent point, Cliff--part of the reason I like this forum so much! We all come from different angles on the "gotchas"!!!
 
Thanks for asking this question. I had a bilge pump go bad so we replaced it. All the wires are hooked up correctly but if I turn the switch on at the helm to empty any water in the bilge it won't come on. If I lift the float it works. I am going to try turning off the battery master switch. Not sure that will give me my answer about the helm switch but it might let me know why the float isn't kicking on. I think. lol
 
Searaybio270 said:
Thanks for asking this question. I had a bilge pump go bad so we replaced it. All the wires are hooked up correctly but if I turn the switch on at the helm to empty any water in the bilge it won't come on. If I lift the float it works. I am going to try turning off the battery master switch. Not sure that will give me my answer about the helm switch but it might let me know why the float isn't kicking on. I think. lol
Click to expand...
We have what may be a similar situation--is your helm switch two position auto/manual? Ours is. With it in the auto position, the pump activates when water level rises enough for the float to activate it, as well as when we lift the float manually (even when the batteries are off--ours is wired direct). However, the pump doesn't activate with the helm switch in the manual position. We need to trace the path from the manual side of the switch to the pump--sounds like you do, too. The second diagram in the attachment is our target; this is from a Rule SuperSwitch but the logic should be sound for other auto/manual arrangements. (The fuse probably is in a panel rather than inline, but look to be sure. Two fuses probably is overkill and could explain a failure in this path, if an inline blew and you haven't found it.)

If you turn off the battery master switch and the sump doesn't activate no matter what, you may want to do even more tracing and consider rerouting for optimal.
 

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  • AutoManual_Bilge.jpg
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Thanks for the info and the diagram I will check this tomorrow night. Everything was good until we removed the old pump and replaced it.
 
Thanks for all the responses. Thought I was silly for asking but I guess it's better safe than sorry. I'll do the checks next time I get to the boat.

steve
 
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