Auto Bilge Pump Operation

[BoLin]

I'm ca-fused!<br /><br />I just installed a new Rule 500gph automatic bilge pump in my Grady. I decided (for now) to wire it up only for auto operation. I fused the brown lead and ran it to the positve battery terminal and ran the black lead to the neg battery terminal. (I capped off the brown/white lead for future use.)<br /><br />Now the interesting part. I have two batteries and a Guest switch - 1 / Both / 2 / Off positions. I assumed that since I wired the pump directly to the #1 battery, it would come on whenever the water depth reached the preset (2.75") no matter what position the Guest switch is in. Not the case! The pump will only come on when the Guest switch is in the "Both" position.<br /><br />Can anyone explain this to me?<br /><br />Thanks,<br />Bob

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Auto Bilge Pump Operation

The only logical explaination is that your #1 batt is dead........ but when is boat wiring logical? <br /><br />Aldo

 

[cbcrawford]

Re: Auto Bilge Pump Operation

You can test this theory (dead #1) by turning your switch to off and taking your leads (use the striped + so you get an automatic "on") to the pos + neg of #1, if it runs, that battery is good. Repeat for #2. Frankly I think that Dunaruna is correct.<br /><br />You may have been leaching off of #2 for some time now and not known it . . . One dead with the switch on BOTH will also seriously shorten the life of #2.<br /><br />Try to always have matched batteries for best performance.

 

[BoLin]

Re: Auto Bilge Pump Operation

First off, thanks all for the help. And yeah,boat wiring is RARELY logical!.<br /><br />OK, I can buy the possibility of a dead #1 battery. I'll check that out tomorrow. ( I charged both batteries last week and they both seemed to take the charge fine.)<br /><br />FYI - logical doesn't come anywhere NEAR this boats's wiring. <br /><br />I bought the boat from a guy who, among other things, apparently decided that the factory didn't know how to wire the Off / Auto / Manual bilge pump switch. For some unknown reason he spliced the solid brown and solid white wires (Auto and Manual) coming from the switch together. And then spliced that to the Brown and White striped wire form the old pump. Meanwhile, the solid brown from the pump went to the positive terminal of the battery and the solid black went to the neg terminal.<br /><br />Guess what, when the switch was activated the ground wire to the switch had a terminal meltdown. With smoke billowing out from under the dash. It was a very interesting experience while drifting in the middle of the Chesapeake Bay. ;-)<br /><br />Bob

 

[BoLin]

Re: Auto Bilge Pump Operation

Just to let y'all know - couldn't check out whether or not I have a dead #1 battery as both batteries were dead when I got to the marina this morning. <br /><br />According to my multi-tester battery #1 showed 3 volts DC and #2 showed 8 volts.<br /><br />Tomorrow's adventure, bring a known good battery to the boat and see what happens.<br /><br /><br />Later,<br />Bob

 

[cbcrawford]

Re: Auto Bilge Pump Operation

That would likely support the dead #1 theory, as it would draw #2 down to it's level.<br /><br />Course, being on the lake using your accesories could also explain a drained battery, but who's counting!!!!

 

[BoLin]

Re: Auto Bilge Pump Operation

FYI - #1 battery was not only dead, it was fried. Put the known good battery in #1 place and physically isolated it from everything but the auto bilge pump. working like a charm.<br /><br />Took the original #1 to an auto parts place and the tester said No Go. Apparently, it wouldn't even take the small charge the tester gives it. And, BTW, it was showing 1.75 volts on the tester. About enough to crank a pea-shooter.<br /><br />Extended Q - that battery shipped from the manufacturer (Exide Nautilus) in Nov '03. I assume it was purchased in the spring of '04. One season and dead? Not promising.<br /><br />Thoughts ???<br /><br />Bob

 

[cbcrawford]

Re: Auto Bilge Pump Operation

Poor charge discharge habits? Faulty manufacturing? Could be about anything . . . <br />A battery that sits discharged will degrade quickly, it's best to get the boat on a charger right away after every use . . . and use a proper three stage charger.<br /><br />A good quality on board charger is your best bet with multiple batteries, one with two banks, maybe three in case you decide to expand.