Want to know when your bilge pump is running?

[BigBabyLou]

If your bilge pump can be turned on by a switch and also a float, it is good to know whether your pump is running, right?<br /><br />What I did is: I had some spare illuminated switches which were almost the same size as the non-illuminated switches in the dash. I replaced my bilge pump switches and blower switch with the illuminated versions and now I feel more confident on the water, knowing when my pumps are on (and the blower too).<br /><br />El. explanation: your bilge pump has two wires connected to it, ground and 12V. The 12V wire is usually spliced somewhere at the pump and runs to the switch on the dash and to the float switch. If the float switch turns the pump on, the 12V will be also present at the switch on the dash which will illuminate the light and you will know your pump is running.<br /><br />Hope this helps someone the same way it helped me<br /><br />Have fun and be safe<br />Lou

 

[blifsey]

Re: Want to know when your bilge pump is running?

Interesting. My bilge pump came with an illuminated toggle switch & auto switch which will light up when I manually turn it on. Never had it kick on auto so don't know if it would light up then or not. Maybe I'll fill the bilge with waterhose and see what happens. Or, better yet, forget to put the plug in next launch <br /><br />BL...

 

[BigBabyLou]

Re: Want to know when your bilge pump is running?

My boat didn't come with any illuminated switches. All of them are just cheap plastic switches for 50c. And since my boat is a mini-cruiser where you can't hear the quiet bilge pumps (got one FWD and one AFT pump), I thought of this inexpensive improvement. It's just for the peace of my mind and it really helps. At least I know what's going on "down there" <br /><br />Lou

 

[jeff_nicholas]

Re: Want to know when your bilge pump is running?

You can get a small inexpensive piezo buzzer (Radio Shack) to wire with that light so you have an audible warning for that bilge pump too!

 

[dsarazen]

Re: Want to know when your bilge pump is running?

Help! First problem is my bilge pump. It works from the switch up top, but not from the float switch...I bought a new float switch yesterday and it worked fine. Today, it doesn't work. I know it must be a short...what's the best/easiest way to track it down?<br /><br />Second problem is water in the bilge. I have a 26' power boat with a prop drive. The bilge takes in about 2 gallons of water over an 18 hour period sitting in the slip. But when I go down to empty it, and look around for the lead, no water drips are visible. I'm going to re-flax the prop box, but I find it hard to believe that all that water is coming from there. Also, I turned off water going to the motor (raw cooling). Help! Thanks

 

[dsarazen]

Re: Want to know when your bilge pump is running?

Help! First problem is my bilge pump. It works from the switch up top, but not from the float switch...I bought a new float switch yesterday and it worked fine. Today, it doesn't work. I know it must be a short...what's the best/easiest way to track it down?<br /><br />Second problem is water in the bilge. I have a 26' power boat with a prop drive. The bilge takes in about 2 gallons of water over an 18 hour period sitting in the slip. But when I go down to empty it, and look around for the leak, no water drips are visible. I'm going to re-flax the prop box, but I find it hard to believe that all that water is coming from there. Also, I turned off water going to the motor (raw cooling). Help! Thanks

 

[martinwinte]

Re: Want to know when your bilge pump is running?

Fullsail, The easist way to track down the short is to rewire the float switch ( it should be just a hot lead to the battery)<br /><br />Don't know about the prop box but alot of water can come in a small hole in a short time.

 

[93evinrude]

Re: Want to know when your bilge pump is running?

Fullsail.Spread a light coating of baby powder around the suspect areas and it may help you trace the source.There may be something else to use;Perhaps someone knows of a spray of some type.<br />Good luck

 

[snapperbait]

Re: Want to know when your bilge pump is running?

Hi Fullsail: On the subject of your leak... Inboard?... Have you thought about the stuffing box for the rudder?... Might be due for repacking too...