Bilge pump and trim motor issues.

[TheMFA]

Yesterday I took the boat out as it was a nice day. I had just put my freshly charged battery in before leaving and all was good.

Get to the lake, back the boat down and go to drop the engine but the trim motor would not engage. So I pull the boat back up the landing to assess the problem.

After investigating I find that the trim motor will not engage while the bilge pump lead is connected.

Has anyone ever encountered this?

Also the trim and bilge worked together before I pulled the battery to charge it.

 

[PondTunes]

Re: Bilge pump and trim motor issues.

If I read that correctly, then you're saying that the trim motor won't work as long as the bilge pump is hooked up?

Is the bilge pump functioning properly? There is no reason that a bilge pump would interrupt the function of the trim system. Since the only variable you changed was putting the battery back in, go back and double check everything that you hooked up. Make sure all the wires are connected to the proper positive or negative posts. Just a guess but it sounds as if you've got something cross wired.

 

[TheMFA]

Re: Bilge pump and trim motor issues.

If I read that correctly, then you're saying that the trim motor won't work as long as the bilge pump is hooked up?

Is the bilge pump functioning properly? There is no reason that a bilge pump would interrupt the function of the trim system. Since the only variable you changed was putting the battery back in, go back and double check everything that you hooked up. Make sure all the wires are connected to the proper positive or negative posts. Just a guess but it sounds as if you've got something cross wired.

Appreciate the reply.

I checked the wiring and everything is hooked up as it should be.

On an interesting note, when I placed the wires back on the battery, I put the bilge wire on first and then the main wire on. Bilge doesn't work but the trim does.

 

[PondTunes]

Re: Bilge pump and trim motor issues.

A severely corroded terminal won't pass any voltage either, a wire brush/terminal cleaner should ensure that you're getting a good connection to the battery.

Is your bilge pump automatic? If so it should have a float switch and when you raise the switch by hand it should come on. If it has a on/off/auto switch on the dash you may be able to turn it on manually.

Verify that you're getting +12v at the pump if not work your way backwards, switch, fuses, etc. You should find the problem.