Automatic Bilge Pump and Electric Question- HELP NEWBIE

[Raansom21]

We have a 245 Weekender 2001.
#1. We are trying to find out if we need to leave one battery on in order for the bilge pump to work. We have it on a lift and when it rains it does not pump it out.

#2. We also want to know if we have shore power plug in. Where do we look?

Thanks,

Raansom21:smt021

 

[Larry&Leisa]

The bilge pump should be wired as to work without the batteries being on. Are you sure it's enough water to actually make it come on? Does it work when you manually turn it on?

 

[Four Suns]

As Larry says... the bilge pumps should be directly wired to the battery avoiding any switch.

 

[fwebster]

But, some smaller trailerable boats do not have automatic bilge pumps with float switches.

Are you sure the boat has an automatic bilge pump from the factory? If it does, then Larry and Gary have given you the right answer. You can easily test the pump by raising the float with your hand to see if the pump itself runs. If it does not, then you more than likely have some corroded terminals in the butt splices where the pump and switch are connected to the boat's wiring harness. Cut them all out and replace them with new shrink or silicone filled butt connectors.

If your automatic pump....i.e. float switch has been added by a previous owner, then it is probably not automatic and will not work unless the dash switch is on. If there is a float switch, verify how it is wired to be sure the voltage source is active even with the battery switches off.

 

[Raansom21]

We have a float switch and BP but It does not come on until we turn on the battery selector switch?

How do we know if it is automatic or not?

Twice we have a foot of water in there!

Thanks
Worry wart

 

[fwebster]

"We have a float switch and BP but It does not come on until we turn on the battery selector switch?"

It obviously is not automatic. given your situation I would rewite the bilge pump and float switch circuit to a fused hot lead so the pump/float switch is active all the time.

As an option, you can remove the plug from the boat when the boat is on the lift.