Boats For Sale:
Automatic Bilge Pumps |
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Randy_in_Ohio 
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Joined: September-13-2006 Location: N. Canton, OH. Status: Offline Points: 1891 |
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 Topic: Automatic Bilge PumpsPosted: October-19-2006 at 12:53pm |
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My '93 Sport has two 1100GPH bilge pumps. One in front of the engine, one in the rear below the fuel tank. The pump in the back was not working, So I replaced it. once I had it replaced I switched on the automatic bilge switch and they both started running but the bilge was dry. I thought maybe I wired it wrong so I took out the pump I had just installed, tried the auto bilge and it still ran the pump in the front.?? If my memory serves me right, before i did anything the auto switch would not turn on the pump unless water was in the bilge. The switches are both "Water Witch" brand they don't seem to be a "float" type switch but rather a sensor type switch.??
How are these supposed to work? I am thinking they should work independently from each other in auto mode and switch on if water is detected. Any idea what went wrong? |
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TRBenj
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Joined: June-29-2005 Location: NWCT Status: Offline Points: 21115 |
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Posted: October-19-2006 at 1:18pm |
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The bilge pump should run for a minute when you first turn on the auto switch, even if there is no water in the bilge. I know my boat and our '92 had the float style switch, so they would only run after that if water got in. The new type on my dad's '03 doesnt work on a float switch and cycles on periodically even if its dry.
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Randy_in_Ohio
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Joined: September-13-2006 Location: N. Canton, OH. Status: Offline Points: 1891 |
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Posted: October-19-2006 at 1:53pm |
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TRB -
Yep, your right. It takes at least a full minute but they shut off... I'm sure this is covered in the owners mannual that I don't have... My friend, The previous owner is still looking it. If he ever finds it I will scan it and send it to Keith to post in the reference section. |
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9360SAN
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Joined: August-31-2006 Location: Hong Kong Status: Offline Points: 23 |
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Posted: October-19-2006 at 2:25pm |
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The water dectect circuit should run the pump for 5 sec when key turn on and periodiculy,1 min is too long when bilge is dry.
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Go on wakeboard
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63 Skier
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Joined: October-06-2006 Location: Concord, NH Status: Offline Points: 4234 |
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Posted: October-19-2006 at 2:26pm |
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While you guys are on the subject I have to buy a bilge pump. Which is better, the float type switch or the non-float sensor?
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'63 American Skier - '98 Sport Nautique
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boat dr
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Joined: June-27-2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 4245 |
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Posted: October-19-2006 at 3:17pm |
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63
both have their own good and bad points,if the float gets stuck,debris etc.,it will run down your battery and possibly ruin the pump(float type)sensor type cycles at a set timetable,if it senses an increase in "load" it stays on till "load" is removed,not pumping any water.both can kill a battery in a rather short time,my choice is the 3 wire,then you can man. turn it on or a hot wire to a enclosed float switch for times the boat is left to sleep alone in the water...........boat dr |
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tjlake
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Joined: June-23-2006 Status: Offline Points: 129 |
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Posted: October-19-2006 at 3:46pm |
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Randy, sounds like you've caught "tha boat bug" bad... I know what it's like...keep having fun..Joe
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David F
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Joined: June-11-2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 1770 |
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Posted: October-23-2006 at 11:50am |
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I have heard that if the two "sensors" on the floatless switch are dirty, then the pumps will stay running. The water witch sensor has two round metal contact patches that when submerged make an electrical contact through the bilge water.
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63 Skier
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Joined: October-06-2006 Location: Concord, NH Status: Offline Points: 4234 |
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Posted: October-23-2006 at 12:21pm |
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David, are you saying that the water witch sensor is electrical and other floatless pumps use something different? It would seem like the electric sensors wouldn't allow the pump to keep running but if dirty would possibly not turn on, which is worse!
I'm thinking I'm going to end up using 2 pumps, at least one with float switch and possibly both. |
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'63 American Skier - '98 Sport Nautique
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David F
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Joined: June-11-2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 1770 |
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Posted: October-23-2006 at 12:34pm |
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I guess that is what I am saying. Let me say that I am not 100% on any of this BUT...
I believe there are basically three types of automatic bilge setups: 1. Physical float switch. Fairly basic. The water in the bilge floats a bouyant float that turns on the pumps. When the water level drops the float switches off the pump(s). 2. Automatic pump. basically, the pump activates itself on a set interval. If the pump spins easily (i.e no load), then it turns itself off. If the pump sense a load (meaning water is being pumped) then it runs until the load is removed (no water). 3. Electronic sensor (i.e. Water witch). The sensor is sort of like a moisture meter. The sensor has two probes (really two electrical contact patches about 1/2" apart from each other). If water bridges the two contact patches, then the switch is activated and turns on the pump. Once the water level drops and contact patches are not connected with water, the pump stops. HOWEVER, I have heard that oily water can leave a "bridge" of slime/crud that permanantly keeps the two patches electrically connected. I hope all that makes sense. |
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63 Skier
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Joined: October-06-2006 Location: Concord, NH Status: Offline Points: 4234 |
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Posted: October-23-2006 at 2:03pm |
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Thanks David, that clears it up for me. I certainly don't want #2, something that has to turn on to learn that it doesn't have to turn on doesn't make much sense to me.
I have a pump now with a separate float switch. I of course left a hose in the wrong place and obstructed the float earlier this summer, and ended up with water in the boat. It made me wonder if I wanted a pump with a sensor or self contained float instead. I think I'll keep the existing setup and buy a 2nd pump with integral float. I realize it sounds stupid to have redundant pumps just because I screwed up once, but I'd actually feel better with the 2 pumps anyway. By the way, this is not for my CC (which stays dry as a bone), its for a jet boat that has some water leakage issues. |
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'63 American Skier - '98 Sport Nautique
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Randy_in_Ohio
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Joined: September-13-2006 Location: N. Canton, OH. Status: Offline Points: 1891 |
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Posted: October-23-2006 at 4:30pm |
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hmmm, I think I need to clean my contacts... maybe dirty/oily. I spilled some tranny fluid in the bilge, i have since cleaned it out but did not pay much attention to these sensors.
Thanks David |
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81nautique
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Joined: September-03-2005 Location: Big Rock, Il Status: Offline Points: 5768 |
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Posted: October-25-2006 at 8:17am |
About as much sense as clicking the START button to shutdown your computer. There's my Microsoft dig for the day. I feel better already |
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You can’t change the wind but you can adjust your sails
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63 Skier wrote: