Test Bilge Pump

[treehan]

I would like what steps i need to take to make sure the bilge pump is working. I have a 1986 Wellcraft 190 American w/ 140 Mercruiser. The bilge pump is labeled "1100 GPH Trac". I dont see any lights on it. It also seems very loose, rattling around in the black mounting. Thanks in advance again1

 

[ziggy]

Re: Test Bilge Pump

when i got my boat. my bilge pump was in the same shape as yours, unknown shape and loose.
i removed mine, and cleaned it up. powered it up to see if it worked on a spare batt. after that, i glued (sillyconed it, some other glue may work better, i don't know) to the bottom of my bilge in the lowest place. connected the hose and put some water in the bilge enough as to see if in fact the bilge pump, pumped water overboard... only time i've seen it work. i don't take on any water i guess. or not enough to cover the bilge pump pickup. if i listen closely, i can here the pump run. but it's very quite... i have no lights either..

 

[mphy98]

Re: Test Bilge Pump

Without knowing how old that bilge pump is, and as cheap as they are to replace, I would buy 2 new ones. 1 to uses as needed, the 2nd as a backup with an automatic switch for when boat is just sitting in the water. It is a lot cheaper than replacing a boat that has sunk do to an old pump. Generally they can be had for under 50.00