Bilge pump float switch..

[Krazzeeddie]

The float switch on our Baja finally gave out after 31 years of service, it is a Mayfair ( made by Johnson ) It is a non mercury type that has a ball that rolls on to a micro switch. I went to order a new one and a lot of the reviews for new the ones were not that great.

So my question is what is a good float switch these days? What are you guys using?

Thanks
Ed

 

[Gofirstclass]

Ed, most likely what you're going to find these days is a float switch that is enclosed in a plastic housing. When the water rises it lifts the float which then makes contact with a circuit and closes the circuit which turns the pump on.

No roller balls included.

 

[Krazzeeddie]

Ed, most likely what you're going to find these days is a float switch that is enclosed in a plastic housing. When the water rises it lifts the float which then makes contact with a circuit and closes the circuit which turns the pump on.

No roller balls included.

That’s seems to be what I have read too, Most have gone to the mercury switch style, the problem I am having in trying to find a new one is people are complaining that Rule and new Johnson ones are only lasting about a year, and where this thing is located on the Baja I really don’t want to change it again in year.

 

[b_arrington]

I installed one of these roller ball switches a few years ago. No issues. I also was leery of the poor reviews of the encased switches.

https://www.westmarine.com/buy/johnson-pump--bilge-pump-float-switch--10204196?recordNum=9

You could also consider one of the solid state type switches, like Water Witch. Johnson makes one too.

 

[Krazzeeddie]

I installed one of these roller ball switches a few years ago. No issues. I also was leery of the poor reviews of the encased switches.

https://www.westmarine.com/buy/johnson-pump--bilge-pump-float-switch--10204196?recordNum=9

You could also consider one of the solid state type switches, like Water Witch. Johnson makes one too.

That is actually the same switch that failed after 31 years of service, I was just leery like you said of the reviews, I was afraid that maybe they changed the design or something.

Thanks
Ed

 

[b_arrington]

That is actually the same switch that failed after 31 years of service, I was just leery like you said of the reviews, I was afraid that maybe they changed the design or something.

Thanks
Ed

It's worked OK for me for a few years. Reviews on West Marine are pretty good, so IDK? At the time I bought mine, it had better reviews than just about anything else out there. Most of the other float switches had terrible reviews. Like you I didn't want to replace it soon.