Battery Switch Set to "OFF" - Auto Bilge Sill Works or Not?

[LawyerMan]

On a 270 SLX, with the battery switch set to "OFF," will the automatic bilge still function?

 

[sdarc]

It is supposed to. Bilge pumps are to be wired directly the battery(s).

 

[Bucit]

It is supposed to. Bilge pumps are to be wired directly the battery(s).

With a float switch or something tied in.

 

[RollerCoastr]

On my '99 280, the pumps are wired through the battery switches.

 

[moparlvr4406]

On my '99 280, the pumps are wired through the battery switches.

the auto switch should be battery direct...possibly hooked on the hot side of the switch

 

[Lazy Daze]

There were some boats that didn't have a float switch. On some models, it was dependent on the year (even within the same model). Although you should probably put the year of your boat in the signature, your boat has one (regardless of year) and, unless something has been rewired since new, the bilge pump will function regardless of the battery switch position.

 

[RollerCoastr]

the auto switch should be battery direct...possibly hooked on the hot side of the switch

Yep - I agree it should be! We discovered this years ago, when the boat was on the trailer with the plug in. We climbed aboard and turned the batteries on and several gallons of rain water was pumped overboard. That wasn't a pleasant realization!

 

[farwellbooth]

My bilge has a knob on the side that turns it on when twisted. If you have this, this will at least tell you it's wired directly when battery is switched to off.

 

[trflgrl]

There were some boats that didn't have a float switch. On some models, it was dependent on the year (even within the same model). Although you should probably put the year of your boat in the signature, your boat has one (regardless of year) and, unless something has been rewired since new, the bilge pump will function regardless of the battery switch position.

Be diligent in identifying how your boat IS wired, including whether there are any dash/helm switches, panel switches, etc. at play, and regardless of what the original specs show or what others with the same model have. As Dennis notes, things can change over time/through multiple owners. A neighboring boat had some issues because of exactly that--bilge pumps not wired battery direct as expected.