bilge pump

[jlsmith]

I have a bilge pump with an on off switch on my 98 bass tracker. I have to replace the pump and would like to upgrade to an automatic pump. How would I wire it so that it will still be automatice with just the on off switch and not a three way switch.

 

[Starman8]

Re: bilge pump

Automatic meaning float when it senses water or automatic meaning it sends a periodic call to see if water is there?

I use both. The ones that you can leave on and only activate when the switch is on and water is detected by the float. I also bypass any IGN switch power meaning the boat won't sink at the dock when you split for the day and take the key. I shut that off while on the water and use the other one as needed on the water. Thing is, all my recent boats are Starcraft rehab/resto's, so I had the opportunity to make them bone dry.

I can't give electrical advice, but practical. If you ever leave the boat docked in the water for extended periods, you should have one directly powered away from the KEY.

 

[jonesg]

Re: bilge pump

I have one pump on the hull with manual switch..
The second pump is mounted 4 inches higher w/ auto switch.
The reason is auto switches tend to burn out quicker if theres water sloshing around in the bilge flicking the switch on and off.
If the auto pump goes on, there definately water and I turn the manual pump on.
The auto pump is direct wired to battery without fuse.

As to how are they hooked up, follow the directions in the box, try to buy complete setups.

 

[seabob4]

Re: bilge pump

I'll assume you're going to install a Rule-a-Matic pump with the built in float. Solid brown is constant hot, run either to the batt or to batt 1 or 2 on a batt switch, protected by a 10A fuse within 7" of the batt. The brown with a stripe runs to the bottom terminal of an on/off switch at the helm, also protected by a breaker or fuse, should be 7.5A. The black simply to ground...