Bilge pump question

[Lancerdad34]

I have a 95 Bayliner Classic that I just bought. It has a midship bilge pump that I am trying to get working. It would not turn on so I took it out and tested the wires with my voltmeter and there was 12 volts there. Just for the heck of it I took the pump back to the batteries and put the wires right on the terminals and the pump ran. Can anyone give an idea on how to proceed? I was thinking new pump anyway because that one is old.

Thanks,
Brian in MI

 

[alldodge]

There should be a float switch in the bilge with the pump. Was the float switch raised ?

 

[Lancerdad34]

I will go back and look thanks! I have a photo but this dumb site will not let me upload it!

 

[alldodge]

I will go back and look thanks! I have a photo but this dumb site will not let me upload it!

Might be to large, there are limits
I select the paper clip on top right. Then select button lower left to upload

 

[tacx]

Yea, strange rule??? You have to have 10 posts before you can upload a pic..Something to do with National Security

 

[Old Ironmaker]

Is the pump wired to a fuse panel? If yes a fuse may be blown on the panel, if it's wired directly to the battery there should be a fuse on that line that may also be toast. I would change it out with an automatic bilge regardless while you are at it. They aren't

Yes this is a stupid site. Because of it's stupidity people join everyday for help. I'm just bustin' your stuff buddy. Welcome to iboats.

 

[Maclin]

Yea, strange rule??? You have to have 10 posts before you can upload a pic..Something to do with National Security

Everybody else can post pics after 3 posts, you got the special rate.

 

[Old Ironmaker]

I have 1677 posts and still can post a picture. Because I lack the skills to do so. I've tried believe me I've tried.

 

[alldodge]

How to post pics
If you select the wrong size you can remove and repost

 

[alldodge]

How to, and forgot to reduce the pic in front so the pic in back is point to select size. Once size is selected it paste where ever your curser is at the time, so make sure its where you want it

 

[Lancerdad34]

Thanks for the help here! I figured out how to reduce and post pics! I am uploading one of the wires for the midships bilge. I get 12 volts but as you can see the two wires short wires that where connected to the original pump are connected to the main wires from the fuse block. Could I be losing enough amperage that the pump will not start? It sure ran good when I touched the wires to my battery!

Thanks again!

Brian

 

[alldodge]

Could I be losing enough amperage that the pump will not start? It sure ran good when I touched the wires to my battery

Yes, due to corrision. You should have a fuse feeding it and check there

 

[Lancerdad34]

Well guys I have come to the conclusion it is wire issue. There is 13 volts there but not enough amps to start the bilge motor. Not sure what to do at this point because wires go off to the left with no room to see past where they come out. Not sure how I could run new wire there. I sure am open to any suggestions! The one good thing is that there is a brand new stern pump and that is auto and running good.

Thanks again,
Brian

 

[alldodge]

Without seeing, Electrical fish tape to pull new wires through, or if the old wire can be pulled thru, connect a new one to it

 

[Bt Doctur]

leave what there and use new wire direct from the battery pos and neg thru a fuse for the automatic function

 

[tacx]

Well guys I have come to the conclusion it is wire issue. There is 13 volts there but not enough amps to start the bilge motor. Not sure what to do at this point because wires go off to the left with no room to see past where they come out. Not sure how I could run new wire there. I sure am open to any suggestions! The one good thing is that there is a brand new stern pump and that is auto and running good.

Thanks again,
Brian

Brian,
Batteries do not "supply amps". Amperage is a result of volts and load (watts) put on the battery. If you have 12 volts on the wires at the pump, then that pump should run off those wires.
How are you checking the wires? You must check only between both wires. If you are checking each wire separately to a remote ground then you are checking incorrectly. You could have voltage from one wire (positive wire) to a remote ground, but not on the other wire (negative). If you are checking like that then you could very well have a broken negative wire from pump to ground.

Tom

 

[Sea18Horse]

My recommendation would be to first cut out those butt connectors. those cheap unsealed wal mart connectors don't belong on a boat and especially not in the bilge. That's 4 connections right there. any one of which could be the problem. Then you need to connect the bilge pump back up and check your voltage across the wires with the pump connected and powered on. You could easily have 13 volts there with no load. But drop to nearly nothing with the pump connected. If you find the voltage drops to nothing then you want to check your voltage drop on both circuits. Connect your positive lead to battery positive (the actual positive post) and your negative lead to the pump positive wire (brown). You should see 0.1 volt or less. Then if that checks out move your positive lead to the negative side of the pump (black) and your negative lead to battery negative. Not a remote ground location As Tom points out above but the actual negative battery post. Again it should be 0.1 volt or less. If you find your voltage drop on the one circuit or the other then you can start your tracing. Good luck!

Cheers..............................Todd