Replacing manual bilge pump with automatic?

[BlueDart]

My old boat had a manual (operated by switch on dash) bilge pump which is beyond repair.
I'm replacing with a Seaflo automatic which gives me (as I understand) the option of having manual control as well.

It's easy enough for me to just wire directly to the battery for automatic use but feel I would like to try running it to a switch as well.
I understand the switch would have to be changed to a 3 way so it could be left in the automatic mode.

How do I run the three available wires to achieve this manual/automatic approach.
Wiring diagrams always intimidate me.

Thanks

 

[wrvond]

My boat also came with a manual only pump which was replaced with an auto. It's wired into the original switch on the dash and works automatically or from the dash switch. It's been so many years I don't remember how it's wired, so I'd have to look at it, but I don't believe you need a 3 way switch. At least I didn't.

OK, just checked, and mine is a three wire pump - one ground, one to the battery, and one to the switch.
The black wire goes to the negative post on the battery, the brown/stripe wire goes through a fuse to the positive battery terminal, and the solid brown wire goes to the switch, which should already be fused.

 

[Watermann]

Personally I wouldn't use a bilge pump with the internal float switch because they can and do become jammed. With the external float switch you can wire the pump much easier. Most boats the pump is or should be wired hot all the time even if the main battery switch is off. Be sure you have an accessible fuse for it too.

You'll need one of these type 3 way switches too for that type of pump.

http://www.iboats.com/Seasense-3-Wa...2027788--session_id.333999400--view_id.237292

 

[KnotConnected]

Why would you use a 3-way switch that allows someone to turn the pump off? Doesn't that defeat the purpose of the auto feature? Knowing me / my luck, the day something springs a leak would be the day someone (or myself) accidentally flips the switch to OFF.

(just trying to learn / understand)


Below is how I wired mine. (Per ABYC the bilge pump is one of the only things that can be wired directly to the battery. )

 

[BlueDart]

Thanks to all for responding and stay afloat.