Sport 190 - Automatic Bilge Pump?

[dburne]

Hey gang,
So the wife and I went to the lake yesterday, knowing there was a 40% chance of thunder showers.
Well, we did get caught up in a downpour for a few minutes while anchored, and the bilge took on some water.

I looked in there, and the water was up around the bilge pump about a third or so.
I thought hmm, wonder when the automatic pump kicks in?

The switch for my bilge pump, is a two position switch. I was under the impression, that up was on, and down was off but on automatic. ( the manual does not really specify, but specs show it to be an automatic pump).
So I flipped the switch up to the on position, and out comes a good stream of water, for about 30-45 seconds or so. I then flipped the switch back down to the off position , once the water stopped flowing out.

So am I correct, that down should be an automatic setting? Perhaps the water was not high enough to trigger the pump to come on?

Thanks for any tips,

 

[Scott9000]

I had the same question with my 190.... but in a big storm while docked I noticed the pump went off automatically (switch off/boat off). The float must be up pretty high because I have used the manual switch a couple times too.

 

[RollerCoastr]

I looked in there, and the water was up around the bilge pump about a third or so.
I thought hmm, wonder when the automatic pump kicks in?

Do you mean the float switch or the pump itself? A third of the way up the float switch cover isn't likely to be enough to kick on the pump.

 

[dburne]

I had the same question with my 190.... but in a big storm while docked I noticed the pump went off automatically (switch off/boat off). The float must be up pretty high because I have used the manual switch a couple times too.

Ah ok then, that must be it. I was hoping to see it come on automatically so I would know it works, sounds like the water just needed to be a little higher.

Thanks for the info,

 

[dburne]

Do you mean the float switch or the pump itself? A third of the way up the float switch cover isn't likely to be enough to kick on the pump.

I am really not sure, the pump I think - round black thing in front of the engine in the middle of the bilge.
Sounds like it was just a case of not enough water in there to kick the switch on.

Thanks,

 

[RollerCoastr]

Yep, probably so, but it's a very good idea to check that it works. There will be a float switch nearby - typically fwd of the round pump and under a protective rectangular cover. Some switch and cover assemblies will have a lever sticking out of the cover that allows you to trigger the float manually.

 

[Buckeye Boater]

I check mine periodically by running a hose into the bilge or when I wash out the cockpit and leave the plug in. My cockpit drains into the bilge. I usually do this when the boat is on the trailer. It does take quite a bit of water to trigger the automatic switch.

 

[dburne]

Thanks guys, I will certainly check that.

 

[jxg]

depending on the pump, it could also be an all in one unit (no seperate float switch). there still should be a "manual" slide on the boat though (as stated above), so that you can test the switch.