Unusual Bilge pump power issue

[crazy charlie]

Had a bilge pump crap out so I got a Rule 1500 and a 2000 to replace it.Hooked the 1500 up exactly the way old one was (only 2 wires) and the pump was acting like it only had 1/2 power going to it.The battery was nearby so I touched the pump wires to that and big difference ,it was full power.I did same with the Rule 2000 and same low power result.Very unusual.Wiring does not appear to have been changed from the factory setup as all wires were still in casing and I had to cut casing to access the pump wires.I plan to check the power with my 1st use of a multimeter but I have to assume there is reduced power to those wires.Anyone ever deal with this before??Puzzled... Charlie

 

[alldodge]

There is corrosion somewhere and could be on the wire, wire connections or inside the float

 

[dingbat]

Had a bilge pump crap out so I got a Rule 1500 and a 2000 to replace it.Hooked the 1500 up exactly the way old one was (only 2 wires) and the pump was acting like it only had 1/2 power going to it.The battery was nearby so I touched the pump wires to that and big difference ,it was full power.I did same with the Rule 2000 and same low power result.Very unusual.Wiring does not appear to have been changed from the factory setup as all wires were still in casing and I had to cut casing to access the pump wires.I plan to check the power with my 1st use of a multimeter but I have to assume there is reduced power to those wires.Anyone ever deal with this before??Puzzled... Charlie

Black wire disease is real
Typically occurs in the first 4-6" of wire back from a connection.
Could be ground, but positive side is more common.

You'll need an ammeter unless you measure the voltage with the pump running

 

[crazy charlie]

There is corrosion somewhere and could be on the wire, wire connections or inside the float

Black wire disease is real
Typically occurs in the first 4-6" of wire back from a connection.
Could be ground, but positive side is more common.

You'll need an ammeter unless you measure the voltage with the pump running

Thanks guys,I will be cutting out any connections and replacing with new connectors.As far as "Black wire disease"..I have seen green or powdery crap creeping up some wires over the years.(Not these) After stripping these wires I didn't see any of this at all.I may take these wires back as far as I can and cut and replace with new.I have to get to the bottom of this.Thanks again!! Charlie

 

[Scott Danforth]

Check the ground buss

 

[crazy charlie]

Check the ground buss

??? Not sure what you are referring to??? Fusebox??

 

[alldodge]

??? Not sure what you are referring to??? Fusebox??

Some boat manufacture use a ground buss bar (usually brass plate with lot of wires connected) to connect and run main power. Your boat may or may not have one

 

[Scott Danforth]

the fuse box if it exists is normally only the + VDC side of the system. many boat manufacturers use a ground buss, some like AD mentions - a brass plate with ring terminals screwed to it.

some use a combo buss bar
some use a cheap stamped buss bar with 1/4 spade connectors.



all of them can develop corrosion

 

[crazy charlie]

Some boat manufacture use a ground buss bar (usually brass plate with lot of wires connected) to connect and run main power. Your boat may or may not have one

the fuse box if it exists is normally only the + VDC side of the system. many boat manufacturers use a ground buss, some like AD mentions - a brass plate with ring terminals screwed to it.

View attachment 408221some use a combo buss bar
View attachment 408222some use a cheap stamped buss bar with 1/4 spade connectors.
View attachment 408223


all of them can develop corrosion

Thanks guys,I will have to take a look behind my breaker panel.I dont recall seeing one of those anywhere. Possibly under the dashboard? Will look.Thanks again! Charlie

 

[alldodge]

My Formula have a Pos and Neg buss bar behind the helm
and a few Neg bars in the engine room

 

[cyclops222]

It is possible that the floats switch / switches are a worn out high resistance. Happens

 

[mike_i]

Have you taken a voltmeter and measured the voltage?

 

[crazy charlie]

Have you taken a voltmeter and measured the voltage?

I have not as of yet.I have a multimeter that I dont know how to use but I guess it just needs to be on the correct setting..??

 

[alldodge]

I have not as of yet.I have a multimeter that I dont know how to use but I guess it just needs to be on the correct setting..??

Yes, post pic of meter

 

[mike_i]

There should be a 20vdc scale. Clip the black lead to the pump wire ground, no other ground, and the red lead to whatever wire you're measuring the voltage on.

I have not as of yet.I have a multimeter that I dont know how to use but I guess it just needs to be on the correct setting..??

 

[crazy charlie]

Yes, post pic of meter

There should be a 20vdc scale. Clip the black lead to the pump wire ground, no other ground, and the red lead to whatever wire you're measuring the voltage on.

WILL DO!! Thanks!! Charlie

 

[crazy charlie]

Here it is, not a clue what to set it on. BTW found a small block under the dash.Was very clean looking approx 8 screw heads and coated with a protective black coating .Screws have an extremely small slot so I was not able to tighten or loosen with the screwdriver I had on hand.

 

[alldodge]

Turn knob to the left to 20, this is 20 volt DC setting

 

[alldodge]

Meter settings
Always choose a setting that is higher then what you expect to find, in this case measuring 12V so we go to 20. Its ok to select 200 or 300 its just the reading will look something like 0.012 instead of 12

AC volts is for house outlets

DC amps is best not to mess with do to the max reading is 200 milliamps. Most things on a boat will draw more than that

Ohms is for measuring continuity and resistance. There should be no voltage on the wires when doing this

 

[mike_i]

Be sure to set the meter to measure dc voltage before you connect the leads to the wires. And be sure you connect the neg. lead to the pump ground and not to a common or battery ground, this way you'll be measuring the voltage at the pump. if you connect the neg. lead to either battery ground or buss bar and had a bad ground at the pump you would not know there is a problem at the pump connection.