Problem with Sahara pump in shower / air conditioner sump of 330 Sundancer

[IrishCowboy]

Has anyone had problems with the Sahara pump in the shower / air conditioning sump of their Sundancer ? My pump will not switch on without a manual 'tap'. I thought it was a falty float switch but replacing the pump left me with the same problem. It doesn't matter whether the sump lid is on or off, and I can always manually operate the Sahara pump.

When I take the pump out of the unit, the float switch and pump operate just fine. Any help appreciated !!

 

[tbirdvet]

Sounds like a bad connection if tapping makes it work and all is OK on the bench. Are you tapping the pump or the float switch?

 

[testlab]

Are there push-on terminals outside the box? Mine has a set of connectors bunched outside the box with the wires going to the midships bilge pump. The float switch wires come out of the box and join with the wires going to the supply and back to the pump.

If there is a bad crimp it could behave erratically.

 

[ziekman@cox.net]

The float switch is integrated with the pump, right? If so, we probably have the same pump. If you can manually turn the float switch on, and if I understand correctly, you are saying you can do that with the pump in the box, what I would recommend is running a fresh water hose to the box, turn the float switch on, and let the pump run for a few minutes - perhaps that will unclog anything that is in there.

 

[skolbe]

Dump a little Raritan CP in the shower sump each weekend keeps it running well.

 

[islandhopper00]

QUOTE=IrishCowboy;493952]Has anyone had problems with the Sahara pump in the shower / air conditioning sump of their Sundancer ? My pump will not switch on without a manual 'tap'. I thought it was a falty float switch but replacing the pump left me with the same problem. It doesn't matter whether the sump lid is on or off, and I can always manually operate the Sahara pump.

When I take the pump out of the unit, the float switch and pump operate just fine. Any help appreciated !![/QUOTE]

I have a 2006 240da and I have the same problem. I also have changed the pump, to still have the same problem.

I am beginning to think the sump box itself is to shallow, meaning the float switch is right at the edge of operation but won't float high enough to actuate the pump. I am trying to figure out how to attach something to the float to help it float higher, OR I'm going to change out the sump box with a deeper model. I am tired of having wet carpet because I forgot to tap the pump to pump out the condensate from the air conditioner. I could be wrong, but then I have done all thoes things that was suggested by the other members, as I think you have. It's my opinion that most everyone whom has the "wet carpet issue" in the cabin floor has the same issue. I can't explain why some have it and some don't but that might be a difference in pump manafacture or the like.

To add to this, I believe the condensate builds so slowly from the air conditioner, that the float switch can't float high enough or fast enough, to actuate. Meaning the mercury in the float doesn't roll into place to make electrical contact. Just my opinion.

 

[Groucho]

Same here..last 3 Sea Rays. I just replaced mine and it works great....for now. From what I hear the more you use it the better off you are.

 

[wetpaint]

I had the same problem this weekend and cleaned it out real well but the float itself would not work properly......I am replacing tomorrow.......

 

[Havana Shamrock]

I had a different problem today. After a great day, and cleaning the boat the admiral says i think theres a pump running somewhere it was the shower sump pump i smacked the Casing and it stopped. Then ran a few gallons of water from the head sink down the floor drain and it cycled on and off properly. .??? Guess using it is better than letting it sit???

 

[papertrail]

Same problem. Pump and float switch are fine. I also think the box is too shallow. Anyone find an alternative?

 

[Blkbird]

Any long term solution? I've replaced the pump and the external float switch and it seems to work well... for a while. Then one day it overflows and out comes the mop again.

I did install an external switch to hotwire the pump and that works. But for some reason the new float switch isn't reliably doing its job.

 

[Raeoflight]

You guys need to get a Water Witch float switch! I love mine and Zero problems now!!