Bilge Pump

[lcmains1]

My boat is newer to me and I have never used the bilge pump. I flip the switch and can hear the high pitch sound they put out but have never had enough water in the bilge to pump out.

Would a guy dump some in there to be sure the bilge is working correctly? I assume that since I can hear it it dies work buthave never seen it pump water....

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Bilge Pump

you need to test it; sometimes the motor runs but the impeller doesn't turn or th ehose is blocked or disconnected. Just dump a bucket of water in there.

It should also have a float switch, so look around in the bilge near the pump, or it may be integral with the pump. You should be able to operate it manually by lifting the float or turning a small knob if it is encased in a box. If it doesn't have a float, install one.

This is your first line of defense to sinking, so be sure it works and you know how it works in case you need to fix it underway.

 

[mlrman]

Re: Bilge Pump

like Home Cookin' said, it's easy to test. Put the plug in your boat, pull the motor cover, and fill up the bilge with water so the level goes over the pump. The pump should have a "float switch" that rises whith the level of water and turns it on.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Bilge Pump

The pump should have a "float switch" that rises whith the level of water and turns it on.

not necessarily. I recommend against the single unit, personally, and have never owned one. He needs to figure out if there is a built-in, seperate, or missing float switch

 

[reddogg]

Re: Bilge Pump

If when you test it, it dosen't pump water, first take a water hose and stick it to where the water comes out of. Allot of differant bugs love to build nests in there and it may just be blocked. Try that before you replace it.

red

 

[MAXXIE]

Re: Bilge Pump

The bilge in my boat, with outboard, was really old. It did have a seperate float switch, but it must have had a hole in it or something because it did not "float" when water filled up in there & never turned the damn pump on. I was out in the middle of the lake last week & for some reason I just stuck my head in there & saw a large amount of water. I paniced, I reached in & lifted the float & the pump began to pump it out. Because I was alone I just gave the float switch a really hard punch & snapped it open. It kept running & all water was gone. I'll be picking up a new set up before I head out again. Sorry to dribble on, check your system like these guy's are telling you before you go out. It's a strange feeling when your out in the middle of the lake, alone, & think your sinking.