Rule 1500 automatic bilge pump sensing

[menos22]

Happy Veterans day to all those who served.
I have a Rule 1500 automatic bilge pump I installed last year. It has worked fine until recently, the pump would cycle on every 2 1/2 minutes and run for 2.5 seconds and shut down as advertised. If it detected water it would stay on until water was pumped out and resume its cycle of 2.5 minutes off and 2.5 seconds on.

Now it will be idle for only 1min and 50sec, then turn on for about 10seconds. Any ideas why the normal cycle has changed from 2.5minutes off and 2.5 seconds on. to 1.5minutes off and 10seconds on. There is no water in the bilge, and I worry about battery drain. Thanks.

 

[Jaybeaux]

What would happen if you were to completely remove power to the pump for a few minutes? Like a hard reset on a computer. Just a thought.

Jaybeaux

 

[hughespat57]

I would thoroughly clean the sensor it may have crude buildup that is keeping it moist.

 

[Ericinmich]

I would thoroughly clean the sensor it may have crude buildup that is keeping it moist.

I think the auto bildge pump OP mentioned don't have a float sensor but they turn on every few minutes and measure the current it takes to spin the pump which indicates water or not (higher current to pump water). I hate those... would rather have a float. They can run the battery dead just doing nothing...

OP, I think it needs to be replaced.

 

[hughespat57]

I think the auto bildge pump OP mentioned don't have a float sensor but they turn on every few minutes and measure the current it takes to spin the pump which indicates water or not (higher current to pump water). I hate those... would rather have a float. They can run the battery dead just doing nothing...

OP, I think it needs to be replaced.

Correct no float, they use a capacitance sensor inside the housing.
This is why they will not pump spilled oil only water, one of the supposed features...

If crud builds up on the housing it can confuse the sensor. A good cleaning has helped some.
If that doesn't solve the issue then yes, internal problem.

 

[menos22]

Thanks for the responses and suggestions. will pop it off the base and give it a good cleaning.

 

[Ericinmich]

Correct no float, they use a capacitance sensor inside the housing.
This is why they will not pump spilled oil only water, one of the supposed features...

If crud builds up on the housing it can confuse the sensor. A good cleaning has helped some.
If that doesn't solve the issue then yes, internal problem.

I had to look it up. As you said, it turns on by capacitance sensor. It turns off when water gets below sensor OR if it detects a freely spinning impeller (no water being pumped). If the pump is running every 2.5 minutes then the capacitence sensor is turning it on... so dirty, etc.

I still have 2 older rule pumps with the mercury switch in the box ready to go. They seem to run forever...

 

[BlueYonder]

Rule switches are crap. If you want an all-in-one bilge pump, look at the Johnson Ultima series pumps or a Whale Orca.

 

[LMBoat]

I use the Johnson Ultima float switches and have been very happy with them.