Bilge pump float switch - The Hull Truth

BigBone · 09-05-2006, 03:37 PM

Every now and then I hear my bilge pump humming away, dry. I suspect that it bounces up and down over and over again while running offshore and eventually just stays on. Of course, if I don't notice it has stayed on, one battery gets run down.

Anyone else come across this issue? I'm thinking of switching to another type of switch, non-mechanical.

Glen E · 09-05-2006, 04:03 PM

Quote:

BigBone - 9/5/2006 3:37 PM

Every now and then I hear my bilge pump humming away, dry. I suspect that it bounces up and down over and over again while running offshore and eventually just stays on. Of course, if I don't notice it has stayed on, one battery gets run down.

Anyone else come across this issue? I'm thinking of switching to another type of switch, non-mechanical.

you can find one at boat fix dot com (site will not allow me to post link) and then search for float switch - the johnson controls unit is solid state and non mechanical - I use one as a hi water alarm

BigBone · 09-05-2006, 05:45 PM

Thanks, Glen, sounds like just the sort of thing I was looking for!

Is this it??

ULTIMA ELECT BILGE SWITCH 20A $47.25 $28.18
Save $19.07 JOHNSON PUMPS OF AMERICA

finman · 09-05-2006, 05:59 PM

I have the same problem at times

Glen E · 09-05-2006, 07:12 PM

Quote:

BigBone - 9/5/2006 5:45 PM

Thanks, Glen, sounds like just the sort of thing I was looking for!

Is this it??

ULTIMA ELECT BILGE SWITCH 20A $47.25 $28.18
Save $19.07 JOHNSON PUMPS OF AMERICA

yeppir!

offshorebri · 09-05-2006, 09:06 PM

Go to radio shack and buy a 2 dollar LED and put it some where on the dash so you know when your pump is on.........I have three and wouldn't leave the dock without them.......What if you had a minor failure with a hose or through hull???? Wouldn't it be nice to know your pump was working???? This way if it comes on too often or comes on and stays on you can see it from the helm...................

Glen E · 09-05-2006, 09:11 PM

Quote:

offshorebri - 9/5/2006 9:06 PM

Go to radio shack and buy a 2 dollar LED and put it some where on the dash so you know when your pump is on.........I have three and wouldn't leave the dock without them.......What if you had a minor failure with a hose or through hull???? Wouldn't it be nice to know your pump was working???? This way if it comes on too often or comes on and stays on you can see it from the helm...................

a bright LED is good but I'll take a 100 db audio alarm and flashing LED directly on the dash. I have had mine go off once with 1200 watts of music screaming at me at 45 mph and it gets your attention fast. (sensor came loose in bilge - bad install by me) I'll take this unit -toally digital and no moving parts - 60 bucks from johnson controls - ability to test and turn it off:

BigBone · 09-06-2006, 01:24 PM

Thanks again, Glen, and every one else.

rwidman · 09-08-2006, 10:28 AM

Quote:

a bright LED is good but I'll take a 100 db audio alarm and flashing LED directly on the dash. I have had mine go off once with 1200 watts of music screaming at me at 45 mph and it gets your attention fast. (sensor came loose in bilge - bad install by me) I'll take this unit -toally digital and no moving parts - 60 bucks from johnson controls - ability to test and turn it off:

An audio alarm and light is good. The ability to temporarily silence it is even better. Once you discover a problem, you don't want to be distracted by that screaming alarm while you try to resolve the problem.