Dick or Anyone - Stuck Bilge Float Switch

[Cincinnati]

Thought I would actually start a thread for once...

My Rule bilge float switch isn't 'floating' anymore. This can be problematic when we get heavy down-pours of rain and the bilge won't automatically come on. I've stuck my hand through the deck plate and have verified that it works manually (by lifting it up by hand) but it doesn't appear to 'float' anymore.

Any thoughts on if this is fixable or if I just should replace the unit. I assume that, for safety reasons, it should be replaced. The issue is that I'll need to remove the deck under the helm seat in order to get to it.

[Tums]

Cinnci, I had the same problem before I started pulling the bildge pump and cleaning the float part out about every 3 months. I found I was getting a build up around the float that was preventing it from sliding up and down. Where I am dust, pollen ect...... often get into the buildge and will be left on the pump after the water is pumped out. After a while the build up becomes sort of like an abrasive surface and stops the float from sliding up to engage the pump. The problem has not happened since I started performing a routine maintenance cleaning of the pump. I do not know if this is your problem but it may be something you want to look into. All it took is about 15 minutes every 3 months to fix the stuck float problem for me.
Tums

[Codfish]

Tums,

I have had the same problem with my switch. Your periodic maintenance is a good idea but I do not think we should have to deal with that. All my previous boats have had the Rule float switch of the type shown in Cinci's post. Never had any problem with them and had plenty of gunk in the bilge. The bilge pump in the 210CC has an internal switch that I do not like. It cannot be counted on to work. This has happened to me and others. I would like to see Triumph use the seperate float switch. Such a simple thing needs to be counted on to work ALL the time. One failure to activate the pump can cause flooding of the under deck area and lead to corrosion problems on all the wiring connections.

Just my two cent rant for today.

codfish

[blakinsmith]

I'm with Codfish on this one. I too had flooding caused by a stuck float switch. It has now lead to me needing to replace my fuel sender due to corrosion and who know what else down the road. I've cleaned out the pump housing but didn't feel there was too much in there.