bilge

[kywildcat]

My boat (18' bowrider) doesn't have an automatic bilge. Its docked at a nearby marina and I can only get there a couple of times a week. I thought about replacing the entire pump to go auto, but then I noticed an add on float switch at Walmart that should work with my existing equipment. Any feedback on which route to take would be appreciated, and also how difficult would this be to install. Thanks

 

[prockvoan]

Re: bilge

Go with the float switch.If you are docking the boat in the water all the time,you should have 2 bilge pumps.<br />Wiring,bilge pumps should be wired direct to the battery with a in line fuse even if you can turn off the battery power supply to the boat.<br />Float switch,first,black wire from the pump should go to the ground side of you wiring system.Brown wire from the pump should go to one side of the float switch.The other wire from the float switch should go to your power.Now comes a trick,The brown wire from your pump,a wire should run to one side of a switch that you use now to turn it on and off,leave that one in place that way you can turn it on and off if needed.Thats it other then adding a second bilge pump which you should do,it's a must!

 

[MFG197]

Re: bilge

easy to install float switch as above if you have some knowledge of electrical theory and can find a place to mount the switch. test before mouning that the switch travells enough to activate at the level you want the water to get to. make sure the pump is always hot and unswitched as above.