bilge wiring

reefrunner7

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Sep 20, 2009
Messages
124
Almost finished with my boat project, tackling the bilge wiring here's what I've got 3 wires running from the bilge pump to the console
red - to on/off switch
black - to panel ground
green - to panel ground

red - from auto float switch (fused directly to battery)
when I lift the float the bilge works but have no power to the bilge switch up on my helm, nervous about the bilge getting stuck on and killing my battery
 

seabob4

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jun 10, 2008
Messages
1,603
Re: bilge wiring

Almost finished with my boat project, tackling the bilge wiring here's what I've got 3 wires running from the bilge pump to the console
red - to on/off switch
black - to panel ground
green - to panel ground

red - from auto float switch (fused directly to battery)
when I lift the float the bilge works but have no power to the bilge switch up on my helm, nervous about the bilge getting stuck on and killing my battery

Put the red and green wires together, then try your helm switch...the float requires two wires, as it is a switch, and when it is lifted, the switch completes the circuit and turns the pump on...

I take it alls quiet on the CW front...:)
 

reefrunner7

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Sep 20, 2009
Messages
124
Re: bilge wiring

yes one wire from float is spliced to the bilge wire and red to battery, then at the fuse box there is black on ground, and green on ground, and red directly to the switch on the helm that says bilge, so it works when float is lifted but no power at the helm, but what would that switch do anyway if the float is directly hooked to the battery? or should I change something?
 

seabob4

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jun 10, 2008
Messages
1,603
Re: bilge wiring

Out of curiosity, what make and model bilge pump do you have?

Did some research. Red from the pump to your helm switch. Green to one lead of the float Black to ground. Other lead from float to batt (fused).
 

reefrunner7

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Sep 20, 2009
Messages
124
Re: bilge wiring

I will check the brand and get back to you, I still have no power at the console bilge switch
 

seabob4

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jun 10, 2008
Messages
1,603
Re: bilge wiring

Did you take the green off ground and connect it to the other float lead?
 
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