Question on bilge pump

[Don S]

Re: Question on bilge pump

edit : don, did you not mixed up your second drawing ? i think manual is auto and auto is manual on the three way switch in your picture- in one case the + current goes directly via the switch ( manual ) and in the second case via the float switch ( auto )

Test a real switch, and that is how I have it labeled will be how the switch works. Take a switch apart sometime and then you will understand. The toggle is on a pivot and the lower part of the switch (inside the switch) goes the opposite direction of the toggle handle.
Here is a drawing I found that shows how they work, and why it looks backwards.

 

[sublauxation]

Re: Question on bilge pump

I installed a float a couple years ago. It worked great. Then one night there was a big rain storm. I even thought about going out to check on things but it was raining too hard. In the morning when it stopped I went out and was almost afraid to step into the boat because the switch failed and my boat was within an inch or two of going under. I stepped in gently, reached into the bilge and tapped the float switch and it kicked right in. That was a Rule float switch, it was less than 3 months old, and it's worked every time since then with no problems.

Moral of the story: It only takes one failure to sink a boat and it isn't cheap to pull them back out when they're on the bottom. Add a float switch to your current pump, wire it like Don's diagram, and add another automatic pump. Use two batteries if possible with two separate trough hulls. Two is always better than one.

 

[aerobat]

Re: Question on bilge pump

Test a real switch, and that is how I have it labeled will be how the switch works. Take a switch apart sometime and then you will understand. The toggle is on a pivot and the lower part of the switch (inside the switch) goes the opposite direction of the toggle handle.
Here is a drawing I found that shows how they work, and why it looks backwards.

View attachment 180954

never thought of it , just wired the switch like stated in the manual. you are right and it seems logical after realizing it- the true contacts inside the stitch go in the opposite direction of the visual upper part . so sorry- you picture is right , and i learned something new !

cheers