Bilge Pump HELP? 230DA

[dazza_ca]

Bilge pump HELP.

I have a 94 230DA, my bilge pump will not work from the switch on the dash, it has a inline fuse in the wire connecting to the battery, and when I take out the fuse and reinstall it, the pump runs for a few seconds then stops. Is this normal? It is on a float switch, looks like the ball type, not had a good chance to look properly. Not sure why it won’t work from the dash switch? ANY IDEAS???

Also I noticed about 2” of dirty water in the bilge in the midcabin, I do not have a pump there so just sponged it out, not sure where the water came from there, as I have not long purchased the boat and not had chance to leave it in the water. Could this just be old rain water or water from the head or something? As it looked OLD. ( if water can look OLD?)

Thanks for any HELP folks…

 

[jpk33]

Try replacing the in-line fuse first (it may look good, but one of the internal contacts may be faulty); With a volt meter or test light test the power on the lead from the power source side of the fuse (without the fuse installed) and see if you get power to this point. Does the bilge pump work when the float switch is manually activated? The bilge pump (float switch) SHOULD be wired directly to the battery and the dash switch should just be a "manual" override of the float switch. Start with the power path and determine if it a issue with a wire or connection being bad. Does this boat have a battery selector switch? If it does, is it "on" as most power to control station (switches) is off when battery is "off".
Check to see if there are "drain" holes that may be plugged in the mid cabin bilge area - that should drain into the main bilge (spiders, and gunk can plug those drains up). Good luck

 

[electricaldoctor]

Bilge pump HELP.

I have a 94 230DA, my bilge pump will not work from the switch on the dash, it has a inline fuse in the wire connecting to the battery, and when I take out the fuse and reinstall it, the pump runs for a few seconds then stops. Is this normal? It is on a float switch, looks like the ball type, not had a good chance to look properly. Not sure why it won’t work from the dash switch? ANY IDEAS???

Also I noticed about 2” of dirty water in the bilge in the midcabin, I do not have a pump there so just sponged it out, not sure where the water came from there, as I have not long purchased the boat and not had chance to leave it in the water. Could this just be old rain water or water from the head or something? As it looked OLD. ( if water can look OLD?)

Thanks for any HELP folks…

Where in Ontario do you live? You really should take a moment and set up your signature with some pertinent information. Take a look at some others to get some ideas.
~Ken

 

[boatmailster]

there should be two separate fuses
one to supply power to float switch - always on, connected to battery
second for manual switch - this is (usually) affected by position of main battery switch
did you check switch itself?

 

[dazza_ca]

Thanks for all the info, Found the culprit.... all seems to work now...