I don't like putting water inside the boat unless there is a reason. Cleaning is a reason. I use Simple Green or another good degreasing cleaner. Spray it around the bilge and use the hose to wash it off. And I leave the plug out because I don't want water filling the boat.
It's better to lift the float up to turn on the pump. If you do fill it with water, use the tongue jack to raise the bow as much as possible and only put enough water in to turn on the pump.
I am assuming you have a float switch with a movable float. Do you have this type of switch?
i pulled bilge out and put in bucket fill with water ,just spun no water picking up ,found the problem ,2 broken tabs on base of bilge pump when i squeezed together it sucked up all water ,so i am glad pulled out and checked before putting on water gonna replace with larger volume pump ,and will put another pump but with manual switch for back up
I have 4 bilge pumps on my 22 footer...I have three 750 gph and one 1500 gph, Better to have at least a couple... I sunk my last boat , Had only one bilge pump...
You live and learn i guess...
Could not get the water out of the boat fast enough...
I have them set in stages, As the water raises in my boat the pumps start to kick on and remove the water...
One pump is usually all that comes on, When I see # 2 pump kick on I know I have more water below then normal..
If the 3rd pump kicks on I know theirs something wrong... And if # 4 turns on theirs really something wrong...
