Bilge pump

[rh92]

I had yet to see my bilge pump actually working yet. So I stuck a hose down in there and put the plug in. As soon as a I connected the battery it began to pump. Even though I turned my bilge pump switch off by the steering wheel it continued to pump.

So as long as the battery is hooked up the pump tries to pump. Wont it burn up?

 

[m.qualls89]

Re: Bilge pump

It is probably hooked up to a float switch which is a good thing. When there is no water in there put your ear to the hull and listen to see if you can hear it whirring. If not then you are all good. If its always on I'd start chasing wires.

 

[Another retired guy]

Re: Bilge pump

The panel switch does not bypass the float switch. If there's water in the bilge the pump should operate no matter if the panel switch is on or off. The purpose of the panel switch is to test the bilge pump to make sure it's operating. Leaving that switch on, with no water in the bilge, probably will burn the pump out
Note it is possible that, depending on when and how the float switch was installed, the panel switch may have been disconnected.