Another Auto Bilge Pump Issue

[Ron's 195DC]

I'm sure all you guys are tired of hearing about Auto Bilge pump issues. Seems there's a run on them recently. Well I got another one, here we go again....

Just got back from Hawaii on the 3rd, just in time for the 4th of July party out to my place on the lake. Been away for 3 weeks, so went out and figured I'd put a charger on the battery. As soon as I put the charger on, the bilge pump started whirring. Battery was dead as a doornail, boat was dry as a bone, bilge pump running. Huh? Of course the toggle switch was on Auto. Of course I switched it on / off. I needed to have the boat the next day, so I disconnected the battery and charged her up.

The next day, she was fully charged. Connected the cables, bilge pump starts. I pulled the red AND black lead on the circuit breaker beneath the bilge pump toggle. It still RAN, disconnected all the wires on the switch. It still ran!! Bilge pump was haunted!!!

I went to disconnect the battery leads again and noticed one of the red leads says "Auto Bilge Pump". Took that baby off, pump stopped. Reconnected all toggle switch and Circuit breaker leads. The switch then worked like an On / Off switch. Interesting.

I haven't tried to trace out the circuit, but I'll have the dealer take a look at it (gotta love new boat warrantees). Probably something wrong with the float / water sensor. I'll fill you guys in. Interesting that the Auto Bilge circuit is independant from the Bilge Pump Switch Circuit Breaker.

By the way, had a fantanstic time on the lake. I do love this boat. We filled her up with people and it's a joy to operate.

[rudderhinge]

Originally Posted by Ron's 195DC

Probably something wrong with the float / water sensor. I'll fill you guys in. Interesting that the Auto Bilge circuit is independant from the Bilge Pump Switch Circuit Breaker.
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I think that you called it right. Sounds like the auto float switch is stuck. The auto bilge circuit is hooked up that way so the pump will kick on anytime the water level in the bilge floats the switch. This will pump the bilge when nobody is around or you don't know that you are getting water in the boat.
My pump float switch has stuck before several times and when I pulled the pump I would find something that caused the float to to stick. I don't know if you have the same pump as I have but it easy to pull the pump and check. On mine just push in on the two side clips on the pump and pull the pump off of the pump base. Turn the pump over and inspect the float and see what is making it stick. Good Luck, Bob

[MolarBoater]

Some RULE "auto" pumps don't have "float switches".

They cycle on or are switched completely off.

If on, every 3 minutes the pump runs to check for water. If it runs freely with no suction, it stops after 3-5 sec. If water is present, the pump will run until no more suction occurs.

The only problem I have encountered is if the pump in a Bay 190 becomes clogged with debris, due to very poor access, you have to back flush the pump from the thru hull.

I just bought Rule's new portable water washdown pump/hose. Hope not to have to use it much but now I will be able to also backflush a clogged pump!

[Thfireman]

I agree that it sounds like a stuck float or sensor. Try cleaning it out good or replace if that isnt it. Just a short story.... Sunday we were coming back from the lake with the Ol 195 DC in tow. A storm with heavy rain caught us half way home. Im talking massibve water here. We pulled off the highway to go home and had to stop at the light at the end of the exit ramp. A car pulled close behind ans "SPOOOSH!" The bilge came on and a ton of water was pumped on the hood. They pulled around and the Fingers flew as they sped away dangerously in the rain. Had to laugh at the tailgater! Man that thing will throw som water.

[OspreyVic]

Love the story. That should go into Readers Digest. Wonder if they will tailgate a boat being towed that close again????

[PileDriver]

Funny story, those bilge pumps will put out some water!

When I was having my boat repowered last year I got a call that it was done. So after arriving the sales manager wanted to show me the new motor. Now the boat had been stored outside and we had some heavy Houston rain! Anyways, he went to starboard side to raise the motor (the old hondas had the switch was on the port side not sure why they changed) as soon as he hit the switch I heard to pump kick on so I jumped out of the way. Unfortunate for him, he didnt and the look on his face when the river of water hit him was priceless. It was like he was a deer in the headlights and couldnt move at first! About that time the shop manager came around the boat and was rofl and told me that he had gotton the triumph shower twice before he disconnected all the batteries!

[Ron's 195DC]

Great story about the bilge pump washing the following car, think I'll leave my boat plug in just to see it happen myself!

I brought the boat in for the break-in service. The guys over there checked the bilge pump float and it was free (which I had already done). Guess the internal circuit was closed and they had to replace the pump under warranty. She's back in business again.

Did I tell you guys how much I love this boat? My son and I made a trip down into Penobscot Bay yesterday. Lovely day with 6 footers out near Belfast, stopped into Castine to get my son some books at Maine Maritime Academy (starts this fall). The boat handled the weather very well, we stayed dry and had a ball.