48DA Simple upgrades

I just ordered the Water Witch rather than replacing the pump, which I think is a Rule, since that is what the float says. The pump is pretty robust. The RM2000 is $200. I got the Water Witch for under $40. Now, I'm pondering where to mount the switch. It has to be high enough to not have the pump cycling with an added drop of water, but low enough to keep the water level away from the overflow tube when going on plane. Any suggestions?
 
DGAM said:
anyone silence the vibrating cockpit refrigerator creatively?
Apparently the frig doesn't sit on its feet rather is suspended in the cut out opening via the 4 screws / flange
was thinking to either add plywood to raise support under unit or wedge with shims to stop vibrating
Click to expand...

The two Norcolds on my 340 sound exactly like the two Norcolds on my 410...which I bet sound like yours...vibrating at start...I think it must be "the nature of the beast"...
 
DGAM - On my previous 48DA the cockpit fridge always rattled when underway but it was actually the cabinet door and not the fridge itself. Sounds like in your case it's the fridge itself but just thought I would mention.

JV II - I mounted the water witch directly to the pump using two black tie wraps, it worked perfectly but as you pointed out the height is critical. Took a little experimenting but I did get it to work reliably (and the tie wraps held it there perfectly) that way. At least in my sump on the 48 I couldn't find or figure out any other decent mounting location.
 
If you pull the refer and replace both fans on the back, you will notice it quiet down. Easy cheap fix. Make sure that when you stock the refer, keep bottles away from each other. When there is a little vibration while running, the bottles will make a heck of a racket!
 
JV II said:
I just ordered the Water Witch rather than replacing the pump, which I think is a Rule, since that is what the float says. The pump is pretty robust. The RM2000 is $200. I got the Water Witch for under $40. Now, I'm pondering where to mount the switch. It has to be high enough to not have the pump cycling with an added drop of water, but low enough to keep the water level away from the overflow tube when going on plane. Any suggestions?
Click to expand...

I mounted a very simple "L" shape bracket onto a screw that used to hold the Rule float switch in to the bottom of the sump, and that gave me several options of height to mount the Water Witch at. Played around with it a little, the only disconcerting thing I find is that when having a shower, the pump does not go on for a very long time, and initially you imagine all the water flowing from the sump into the bilge where it is mounted.

I can just hear the pump running when in the shower, and a green light shows up on the panel next to the toilet when the pump runs, always happy once that green light comes on, the rest of the shower is without concern.

If there is water in the sump when you go up onto the plane, the Water Witch should see the water and pump out anyway, and then the sump will be empty. Alternatively, before motoring anywhere, turn a tap on and wait until the pump starts, turn off the tap and the sump will be effectively empty for your trip, so no problems with spilling water.

Just remember when testing your Water Witch, it must see water and will then wait 5 - 8 seconds before it sends power to the pump.

Graham
 
COD

I just swapped out the old pump and separate float for the all in one rule2000. I traded the 48DA end of the 2011 season and really don't remember if the original discharge tube had a check value. I didn't install or remove one.

Rich
 
In reference to the ce maker Target is selling the Emerson model this week for 119.00 . I'm on my second unit as the first lasted three seasons with heavy use.they are fantastic and with my cockpit ice maker which holds temps at 7 degrees I simply put the non refrigerated ice in the cockpit ice maker. Between the two I now can make close to 50 lbs a day!!!
the reviews on these things aren't that great but you can buy a 2 year warranty for 17.00.
I also took out my rear stateroom TV had a custom slide out shelf built to hold this little wonder.

Just an idea,

Tom
 
Anyone had the windshield vent stop working?

Checked breaker - Breaker ok., Switch tested ok

What could i check next?
 
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Finally, installed the Water Witch after dealing with a stuck float in the sump 3 times this season. I thought I fixed the old float after it behaved itself on a 10 day trip, but all it took was a week at the dock with the dehumid running to flood my bilge again. I love it. No more wet bilge when I go on plane. No more bailing out the bilge and pouring bilge cleaner into the sump. Best $40 spent this season.
 
JV II, I bought two water witches - one as a backup. I never needed the backup, that one $40 switch ran in my sump box without fail perfectly for three years and is still running. Best $40 I spent in boating ...
 
DGAM said:
Has anyone had issues with the rule rm2000?
Click to expand...

I removed my shower sump inop float switch and bilge pump and put a Rulemate 750GPH automatic pump in my aft shower sump. It works great. I connected the the black wire to ground, the brown wire to power, and capped off the pump's brown/white wire. I only have two problems:

1. The pump was taller than the sump box, so one corner of my lid is not fastened, and 2. My Systems Monitor shows the Aft Sump Pump running all the time - even though it is not. I am going to switch the brown wire with the brown/white wire and see if that solves problem #2.

Great thread, BTW - lots of info - thanks.

I have not tried a Water Witch, but I have not had any luck with the Johnson Ultima Pump Switches which work on the same principle...I've had two fail in a short period of time...
 
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DGAM

Never had an issue with the rule 2000 for the 4 years I ran the boat. funny you should mention the vent window. I'm got stuck one day, couldn't figure out why, I had my son reach up and double check all the wires plugged in behind the helm switch, then had him gently push the window when I hit the switch. It began working and never had that problem again. Just one of those things I guess

Rich
 
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