step down pump?

[stevea661]

I'm still working on the never ending project, 1986, 268 sd. There is something called a step down pump as labled on the fuse panel on the dash, it sounds like it is located in the aft cabin bellow the deck, bellow an acess panel. It will run as long as the fuse is in, none of the dash switches seem to effect it. I pull the fuse to make it stop. And the boat is on a trailor. Questions are is this a secondary bilge pump with a float switch? Part of the plumbing system / holding tank system? Anything I should watch out for while I am pulling this apart assuming it might be part of the holding tank system (s%#t storm, etc). Not to worried about me, I'm a plumber by trade and it wouldn't be the third time I got a bath but since it's my boat I would have to clean it up. Thanks for the Info in advance.
Steve:thumbsup:

 

[chris41483]

It is right under the step-down into the cabin. If it is wired correctly it should have a float switch, and constant power from the battery. If the float switch is stuck, and the pump constantly runs, then the switch would not affect it. Remove the step, and check to see if the float switch is either bad, or something has onstructed its path, and is stuck.

 

[stevea661]

Is it for bilge water? Water from the shower? What kind of water does it pump?

 

[WTP07]

Steve,

In my 86' SD, it is in the aft cabin, in the middle, under the bunk, there is a small "step". It's wedged in pretty good, so you will need to get a smalls screwdriver in there to wedge the step up.

It is NOT here:

But here:

Here is the "step" opened up.

It is for the shower drain, you are supposed to put the pump on while someone is showering I suppose...I never use the shower, so it's not a huge concern for me.

Hope this helps. I took both steps apart coming down INTO the boat before I found this.

Cheers,

Randy.

PS: The boss has some cleaning to do!! Some debris from the winter projects that need to be vacuumed still...

 

[chris41483]

It is for the shower drain, or rainwater that may get caught in the cabin in case you leave the hatch open (I know no one has ever done this, of course) and on my old amberjack the locker in the cockpit drained forward into this basin rather than aft into the bilge. If boat has a/c, it can also collect there.

 

[hoosierhog]

My 240 Weekender has a bilge pump with a float switch in the same spot. It has power all the time. My float switch was sticking in the on position and it kept the pump running all the time. Take out the step and replace the switch and you should be good to go.
rgds,
David

 

[stevea661]

Thanks for the info and the pics:thumbsup:. I will put that on my list of things to do.
Steve

 

[amcgarl]

I have a 1981 245 SRV with Fly Bridge. I also had this problem. I pulled up the floor board and found a bilge pump. Problem is when I am not at the boat and it rains, it accumulates water. Solution is to put an automatic bilge pump or add a float swith. If not, you will have nice puddle when it rains or you take a shower.

 

[Tail Chaser 661]

Hey Steve,

With you boating the Channel Islands.

That stepdown is a good pump to have working.
If you would ever take a wave over the stern.
A lot of water would most likely end up below deck.
Pop the hatch to the step down pump and start pumping the water out.
The stepdown pumps for my bathroom shower drain on my boat.

 

[stevea661]

Tail Chaser,
I haven't got to the step down pump, although I have a new float switch and pump ready to go and it's on the list.
Here's the list
1) Finish pumping out the old fuel. I've already pumped out 40 gallons. The old fuel doesn't smell bad and I'm burning it in my old work truck. Pre unleaded and pre cadillac converter, 240,000 miles and still going strong. I don't know how much fuel is left because the gas gauge is not reading.
2) Trouble shoot and repair the gas gauge circut.
3) Replace the wye valve for the toilet, the handle broke off the existing one when I tried to turn it by hand. I have the part waiting to be installed.
4) Finish stripping and painting the outdrive.
5) Aligine the the engine with the drive.
6) Install the drive.
7) Bolt on the exhaust manifolds, risers, and attach to wye pipes at stern. Then plumb the rest of the cooling system and fill with coolant.
8) Install carb and hook up fuel lines.
9) Fill with oil and prime oil pump.
10) Install distributer and wires.
11) Put on the muffs and fire it up. Check for anything bad happening. Run for 20 minutes at 2000 rpm to break in the cam.
12) Get vessle assist membership.
13) Follow you out to that white sea bass spot on the front side of Anacapa with 2 tanks of squid and fill up the hold. Probably Juneish :thumbsup:

 

[Tail Chaser 661]

Tail Chaser,
I haven't got to the step down pump, although I have a new float switch and pump ready to go and it's on the list.
Here's the list
1) Finish pumping out the old fuel. I've already pumped out 40 gallons. The old fuel doesn't smell bad and I'm burning it in my old work truck. Pre unleaded and pre cadillac converter, 240,000 miles and still going strong. I don't know how much fuel is left because the gas gauge is not reading.
2) Trouble shoot and repair the gas gauge circut.
3) Replace the wye valve for the toilet, the handle broke off the existing one when I tried to turn it by hand. I have the part waiting to be installed.
4) Finish stripping and painting the outdrive.
5) Aligine the the engine with the drive.
6) Install the drive.
7) Bolt on the exhaust manifolds, risers, and attach to wye pipes at stern. Then plumb the rest of the cooling system and fill with coolant.
8) Install carb and hook up fuel lines.
9) Fill with oil and prime oil pump.
10) Install distributer and wires.
11) Put on the muffs and fire it up. Check for anything bad happening. Run for 20 minutes at 2000 rpm to break in the cam.
12) Get vessle assist membership.
13) Follow you out to that white sea bass spot on the front side of Anacapa with 2 tanks of squid and fill up the hold. Probably Juneish :thumbsup:

Sounds good steve,
The WSB should be biting on the backside of Anacapa between 2:00AM and 4:00AM :wow::grin:

You only have twelve more things to do?:smt038
You should be ready in about twelve hours :lol:

I wrote a long post. It got lost in cyberspace:smt013
I need to get back to unnecessary work on my boat.
Fiberglassing, waterproof painting, etc,
Beefing up the boat underneath, around the transom door, flush mounts, cleats, etc.
Some of Sea Rays work there could have been better.

Still have to install new 2000 gph bilge pump.
Add a 32 gal aux fuel tank.
Build a 48" X 30" insulated fish hold for my new helm seats to mount on. One mounting plate is back ordered:huh:

I should splash the boat next week.
Just to burned out on doing upgrades all the time.
Maybe after a shakedown run. I will be motivated again.

 

[stevea661]

Tail Chaser,
Didn't get it all done yesterday (imagine that). But I did get walnut shells and paint to finish off the outdrive. I was curious, what is the distance from the ground to the top of your radar dome. I need to build a setup like that for my hole in the water that I keep throwing money into. Rocket launchers with a radar mount. I was wondering what height I could get away with trailering? All the upgrades you have planned sound good. Especially the fish hold / seat deal. Thats the kind of stuff to do when all else is done:smt038

 

[Tail Chaser 661]

Steve,
My dome is 13' 6" from the ground while sitting on trl.

I only went that high because i'm 6' 6" tall.
I did not want to be nuked in the back of the head while standing if I have the radar on.


I got lucky, I thought of the bimini as an after thought.
I can stand under it also while piloting the boat.
Works as a canvas top being 6' long. Having that shade is really nice.

By law, Were allowed 14' height on highways. Semi truck trls are 13' 6" height.
Lower is better, No tree limbs, low overhead clearances at gas stations, lower center of gravity on boat, etc.

My present rate of wrench turning is like....
1 item done per twelve weeks. :huh:
After two years of research and hanging upside down in the bilge.
Guess i'm dragging my feet now days.
The boats really done. But I keep finding more things to upgrade on.
When the boat can make the 200 mile round trips comfortably to Cortez Bank with fuel to spare.
The project will be complete.


Isn't walnut shell used for adding in paint for a non slip deck?
Thats on my things to do list.

Is your boat on a trl or in a slip?

 

[Tail Chaser 661]

Heres a pic of the 6' long stainless bimini that I can stand under.
13'6" height to the top of the dome.
The bimini looks smaller in the pic.
Flush mounts are a quick and easy solution for some rod holders.

Dirty boat pic was taken at ramp of CIH.
Just returned from a four day trip at Santa Cruz/Santa Rosa islands

 

[stevea661]

Tail Chaser
Walnut shells are added to deck paint for a nonskid finish. They are also used as an abrasive blast media. Unfortunatly I made the choice to get corse grind and they kept clogging up my blaster. Instead of a 90 mile round trip to bakersfield for fine grind shells I got some silica sand up here, it's more abrasive and I blasted with that. All the posts say not to use sand. Well I'm here to tell you silica sand works fine for blasting an outdrive, you just need to dry the sand out real good. All those little nooks and cranies are free and clear of old paint and corrosion. I just need to clean it up a bit more hit it with all the surface prep stuff, prime and paint.
The boat lives on a trailer, that way I can launch closer to where the fish are:thumbsup:
I also need a bimini top. I should probably do that before I do the arch so I know where to locate the arch. Where did you get your top from? I would at least need the frame work. I have a guy up here who does canvas work and he is good and priced fair.
Well back to work. The boat won't finish it's self:smt101

 

[Tail Chaser 661]

Steve,
I believe my stainless bimini frame was from Westland.
I bought the frame without the canvas.

A quick google search.... stainless steel bimini tops
Came up with a lot of links.

I still didnt work on the boat. :smt021
I need to install like 12 panel srews and reconnect the batterys.
Could have splashed it on the 12th.

But I did find a brand new Merc 496ci 375 HP engine for 9500.00 A saving of 4K The 8.1 HO 425hp is 10,500.00 another 3K discount.
Typical boat,
Looks like I may be short 1/4" of space from the fuel tank to the front of the 8.1 engine. :huh:
This dealers buying these engines from marine companys that are going out of business. He sold three last week, only has two left.
Better get me one :grin:

 

[stevea661]

Update on the stepdown pump. Finally got to it. Seems the float switch was internally shorted and in the off position was letting about 8 volts through to the pump. I cut the hot positive wire to the float switch and the pump quit. The pump still runs on the manual switch and when I short the float wires. I Got a new and improve float switch yesterday, one that opens in the down position and will be installing it today:grin:.Here's whats left on the list
6) Install outdrive. Don't want to put it on quite yet. Last coat of paint went on about 4 days ago and its been cooking out in the sun since.
7) Fill cooling system
9) Fill engine with oil and prime. And items 10 through 13 as noted previously
I'm almost there:smt038

 

[Tail Chaser 661]

Very Cool Steve :thumbsup:
I just returned from 3 days at the islands.
I'm a little overproped with the 15D x 17P
WOT 28 kts at 4000 rpm GPS #s (Min rpm is 4200 RPM)
Cruise was 3500 rpm doing 22 kts. Burning 13.5 to 14.5 GPH
Little slow getting on plane, Swell surge would cause 14.5 GPH fuel burn also.
I think the return trip was the first time ive ever been in fairly flat seas with this boat. Sure was a nice ride.

I'm way overdue on a tuneup and fuel filter.
4 yrs on Dist cap/Wires
3 yrs on plugs
1 yr on Fuel filter and oil change.:smt009

Boat just lost its tune idling around 20 min waiting on Ramp.
Boat started stalling with the wind blowing me away from the starboard side dock :smt013
CIH has them pylons, Making a Port side approach a bit risky.:huh:

After a complete tuneup, Think I will change out the risers also.
Looking forward to making my first San Clemente island trip.

Nice to get away from all the upgrades, And do just some normal maintenance for a change :grin:

 

[stevea661]

Very Cool Steve :thumbsup:
I just returned from 3 days at the islands.
I'm a little overproped with the 15D x 17P
WOT 28 kts at 4000 rpm GPS #s (Min rpm is 4200 RPM)
Cruise was 3500 rpm doing 22 kts. Burning 13.5 to 14.5 GPH
Little slow getting on plane, Swell surge would cause 14.5 GPH fuel burn also.
I think the return trip was the first time ive ever been in fairly flat seas with this boat. Sure was a nice ride.

I'm way overdue on a tuneup and fuel filter.
4 yrs on Dist cap/Wires
3 yrs on plugs
1 yr on Fuel filter and oil change.:smt009

Boat just lost its tune idling around 20 min waiting on Ramp.
Boat started stalling with the wind blowing me away from the starboard side dock :smt013
CIH has them pylons, Making a Port side approach a bit risky.:huh:

After a complete tuneup, Think I will change out the risers also.
Looking forward to making my first San Clemente island trip.

Nice to get away from all the upgrades, And do just some normal maintenance for a change :grin:

Sounds like a good time! I'm getting close on mine. I got the toilet to work yesterday. I wanted to get one of the kids to stand in front of the discharge when I turned the pump on but figured I would get yelled at:huh: so I didn't. Before I do anything else I need to take all the tools off the boat that I'm done using. I'm tired of tripping over stuff. Right now I need a break. I'll clean up later. Did you kill any fish?

 

[Tail Chaser 661]

steve,
Fish had lockjaw. Didnt catch the right kind. Warm water had just left the area the day prior.
My trl had two leaky wheel cyls :smt089 I left a day later having to replace a second cyl.
I had wishful thinking that one fluid leak was a brake line needing 1/2 turn tighter.
Complete brand new assembly 3 seasons ago. And had 3 of the 4 new cyls go bad :smt013

Lots of baitfish everywhere. Maybe the good fishys were full :huh:
I didn't put a real lot of effort in the fishing. Was getting annoyed having floating kelp patty's getting tangled in my lines.
I was just enjoying being on the boat. Kind of a three day shake down run. Getting cruise speeds, fuel burn rates, etc.
Hoping I can live with my 5.7 engine till the end of the season.

I must have been sleeping good the second night.
First time ever I did not hear my clicker go off.
Something spooled and broke off my 65# Spectra.:wow:

Funny about the toilet discharge. Probably worth being yelled at :lol:
My boat is Ghetto. Only has a porta potty.
I'm guessing your holding tank is in the engine compartment?

With a little rearranging in my engine room. I can install two 30 gal aux fuel tanks if needed.
A single 30 gal should give me a safe 230 mile range after the repower.
These are upgrades I want to drag my feet on.
Say...... Nov till April. :huh:
You know what ever tools you take out of your boat.
Will be the tool you need next :lol:

I need to clean up my garage today. Make room for the Merc 8.1
What a nice change :grin:
Tuesday tune up the boat. And hope that ethanol did not screw up the idle circuit on the 4 barrel.