Hit bilge switch by accident; was on for 3 hours (without water to run). damaged?

[insttech1]

I can hear the bilge run with cover up, but it doesn't sound quite as smooth or as loud. Do they get damaged without running water? Should I put some in and run it a while?
Boats sealed pretty well. don't use bilge much, and only a cup or two comes out when I pull the plug and lift the bow.

Do these overheat or have a thermal setting?

Model: Regal LSR 1700 1999 volvo penta i/0 135hp

Thanks All!

 

[reddogg]

Re: Hit bilge switch by accident; was on for 3 hours (without water to run). damaged

I'd put some water in the bildge and give the pump an op-test. Running it for 3 hours without water may have overheated something. Can't hurt to be sure it works ya know.

red

 

[insttech1]

Re: Hit bilge switch by accident; was on for 3 hours (without water to run). damaged

I'll give that a shot. Haven't run it much yet with water; any idea what output stream should look like? And thanks!

 

[insttech1]

Re: Hit bilge switch by accident; was on for 3 hours (without water to run). damaged

Oh and I'll be finding some of my daughters finger polish to paint the indicators red on all of my switches so I know what position they're in at a glance!

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Hit bilge switch by accident; was on for 3 hours (without water to run). damaged

generally they can run dry for days or even weeks without damage... do a search... this has been covered more than once before

 

[reddogg]

Re: Hit bilge switch by accident; was on for 3 hours (without water to run). damaged

The output should be a good solid stream of water. If the hose is corrugated it can be a good stream but not so solid. Like was posted above, there may be nothing wrong with it, but I believe it's better to check and make sure, just my 2 cents

red

 

[MAXXIE]

Re: Hit bilge switch by accident; was on for 3 hours (without water to run). damaged

Rather than the nail polish you could swap out the switch's with lighted ones. When the power is on the switch lights up, easy to see at a quick glance. As far as the pump go's, test it, just fill the bilge area with some water & turn it on. I have a 500 GPH pump & when it's running with a lot of water in it, it fills a 1/2" drain hose with a pretty stronge flow. I've done the same thing to mine without damage.

 

[soggy_feet]

Re: Hit bilge switch by accident; was on for 3 hours (without water to run). damaged

Diaphragm pumps can be run dry without damage, the centrifugal pumps need water for cooling, and possibly it may work as a bit of lubrication as well.

If it doesn't sound like hell when you turn it on, I'd take a guess that you haven't really hurt it.

 

[insttech1]

Re: Hit bilge switch by accident; was on for 3 hours (without water to run). damaged

Alright guys I'll throw some water in there and see how it does. Thanks much!

 

[mike343]

Re: Hit bilge switch by accident; was on for 3 hours (without water to run). damaged

No Problem

 

[Quad82]

Re: Hit bilge switch by accident; was on for 3 hours (without water to run). damaged

Easy tip. Pull the drain plug and back-fill bilge with the gargen hose. Hit the switch and see if it pumps out. I do this after all outings to rinse the livewells and bilge area. Gets the stinky lake water smell out too.