Fuse on bildge pump?

[TTU_Guy]

I am confused as to whether or not I should have a fuse on the bilge pump. If I need the pump to come on, I don't want a blown fuse to stop it. On the flip side, I don't want the pump to come on and turn my boat into a fireworks show. Should I maybe fuse the automatic lead but not the manual? Both? Neither?<br /><br />Thanks!

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Fuse on bildge pump?

Good question... I never fused mine before, but maybe I should have....I just assumed that if something went wrong, the main fuse at the battery would blow.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Fuse on bildge pump?

Think about it guys. The main battery fuse is 20 or 30 amps meaning it takes that many amps to blow it. The wiring on the pump cannot handle that amount of power so they get hot and ignite anything they touch that will burn. Lets put it this way -- if the pump shorts out and there is no fuse you burn the boat up. And if it happens to be in your garage or a storage lot and you burn it down, would you change your mind about a fuse? Every electrical device on your boat MUST be fused (or protected with a circuit breaker). The main fuse protects the main power lead to the fuse/breaker panel as it feeds everything else. Every other device beyond the panel needs an appropriately sized fuse or breaker for that circuit only.

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Fuse on bildge pump?

What UIS said.<br /><br />Fuse everything, including both bilge pump circuits.

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: Fuse on bildge pump?

If you dont fuse it, at least use an automatic resetting circuit breaker.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Fuse on bildge pump?

Good advice, Upinsmoke. Will heed that in the future....Everything else on the boat is fused...

 

[jlinder]

Re: Fuse on bildge pump?

The auto resetting breaker sounds good. The question is the need to have a working bilge pump vs. the need to protect yourself from fire.<br /><br />How about add a second pump and fuse the pumps separately? A single bad pump will blow that fuse (circuit breaker?) but you will still have the other pump to bail (pun intended) you out

 

[TTU_Guy]

Re: Fuse on bildge pump?

Ah ha, Jack has the ticket. That will solve both problems. Thanks for all of the advice.

 

[Perfidiajoe]

Re: Fuse on bildge pump?

If the boat burns you really don't need the pump. If you have a short, the wire will burn or the battery will die, or some such thing but, in any case the pump won't work. Fuse it, if you are worried run 2 circuts both fused to it or two pumps on seprate circuts. Good luck, Joe

 

[--GQ--]

Re: Fuse on bildge pump?

Lots of good infos. here, but allow me to add a few more cents to make a buck. Fuses are designed and sized to protect conductors from overheating thus preventing fire.<br /><br />Scenario 1: Fused bilge pump. While in operation, a bilge pump suddenly stop. An object found its way inside the pump housing creating a lock rotor condition. Instantely the current flow increases 10 times the normal running amp. prompting the fuse to blow. Electricity is completely cut off to the pump. Boat maybe taking on water slowly. Still time to call for help.<br /><br /><br />Scenario 2: Nonfused bilge pump. While in operation, a bilge pump suddenly stop. An object found its way inside the pump housing creating a lock rotor condition. Instantely the current increases 10 times the normal running amp. cooking the conductor feeding it and burning everything in contact. Boat maybe taking on water slowly, but fire spread fast. No time to call for help.<br /><br /><br />In both scenarios the pump is non operational due to an object preventing the motor from turning. In scenario 2 however, you have the addition of the fire.