Rule 500GPH Bilge Pump Blows Fuse

[175Excel]

Hi everyone, I just signed up with the forum but have been browsing the boards for weeks.<br /><br />I recently purchased a Wellcraft Excel 175SSX bowrider. This is my first power boat. I have slipped the boat for the season and in order to keep-out excess water, had a local boat shop replace the standard bilge pump with an automatic Rule 500GPH unit.<br /><br />The other day we had severe rain storms so I went down to the dock to have a look. Much to my surprise, the bilge was fill with water and the auto bilge never ran. The pump was submerged... Upon further inspection, I found the 10AMP fuse was blown out. I have replaced the fuse with a new 10AMP but now worry that it will blow again and again...<br /><br />The folks who installed the pump simply hooked up a hot wire with the fuse to the positive terminal of the battery. Even when the fuse if blow, the manual over-ride switch on the dash will work.<br /><br />Any ideas on what to check or if this might have been a weak fuse to start? I was thinking of upping the fuse to a 15 or 20. Would this be safe?<br /><br />Thanks for all of your help.<br /><br />-Chuck

 

[DJ]

Re: Rule 500GPH Bilge Pump Blows Fuse

175Excel,<br /><br />It all depends on the guage of the wire. I would first look to see if there is anything in the pump that stops it from running. I don't believe so since you say it will run with the switch. But worth a check.<br /><br />Can you make it run on the automatic mode by moving the float switch manually?<br /><br />Take a look at the wires that come from the switch and compare them to the wire that goes to the battery. They should be the same size.

 

[175Excel]

Re: Rule 500GPH Bilge Pump Blows Fuse

OK, so now the manual switch does not work either...<br /><br />The boat is in the water and the shop that did the install will not send a tech down to work on the problem. He is now asking me to haul the boat out and bring it back to him for repair. Is the the usual way it works with boat mechanics?<br /><br />Should I just pay the marina's shop to fix the problem? Will probably be just as expensive as a haul and another launch. Not to mention a days lost work.<br /><br />-CHuck

 

[oldboat1]

Re: Rule 500GPH Bilge Pump Blows Fuse

I would rewire the sucker before pulling the boat and bringing it back to the helpful folks you describe. That is a reliable pump (have had a couple of them) -- have to keep them clean like any other pump, but yours is new. There should be full wiring instructions in the blue and white box that the pump came in. If the shop didn't give the instructions to you, I would go back and get them -- Have them make you a photocopy if necessary. Unless the pump dash switch is new, look for corrosion -- clean all contacts with an emery board. You should have the switch with automatic and manual settings, and a light to show that the pump is operating -- should be a fuse in the switch too. You may want to put in a new switch (Rule makes a good one.)<br /><br />Using the instructions for the pump, buy new wire and install it from the pump to the switch and from the switch to the boats electrical system. If in doubt about the electrical system, get enough wire to run directly from the pump and switch to the battery -- both hot and ground, again following the instructions.<br /><br />Good luck. On the bright side, at least the water is coming from topside and not the bottom....

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Rule 500GPH Bilge Pump Blows Fuse

If the fuse went and you are concerned (rightfully) then follow the above advice to rewire and consider using an automatic reset circuit breaker. They are available at auto parts stores and are worth the $ for piece of mind.<br /><br />Bob

 

[Hooty]

Re: Rule 500GPH Bilge Pump Blows Fuse

Hooty thinks oldboat1 has the hot ticket. I'd bet the yoyo that installed your pump did it wrong. Let us know.<br /><br />c/6<br /><br />Hooty

 

[oldboat1]

Re: Rule 500GPH Bilge Pump Blows Fuse

was talking Rule and thinking Attwood -- had both, though, and both pumps and switches are good (and can be interchanged). You might check in with the marina shop where your boat is slipped. They might have a stake in helping you out (at a minimum getting you a copy of the installation instructions -- and maybe selling you a new switch if you need one.) There is an advantage to wiring it yourself. That way you will know it was done right, by the book.

 

[Joe Colaizzi]

Re: Rule 500GPH Bilge Pump Blows Fuse

Just to put my two cents in, it has been my experience that if a motor pulls too much current, it will blow a fuse. If the motor locks up or doesn't start easy, it will blow a fuse. Any loose connections will cause a fuse to blow. Make sure the wiring is heavy enough. If everything looks good and the fuse is proper, I would be looking at the pump as being defective. You could also use an Amp meter to test the current draw. You would have to connect it in between the battery and the wire going to it. They usually draw more current at first until the motor gets going. Also while running feel the wires to see if they are getting hot. This would indicate either the pump is defective or the wires are too light.<br /> Good luck------Joe

 

[LOLHJ]

Re: Rule 500GPH Bilge Pump Blows Fuse

This is only a Rule 500- you dont need a large gauge wire for these, at my marine store 16 ga is the norm on these unless your running the wire for a long span. It's possible 10A fuse is not enough, I would step up to a 15A personally, this is more than okay.<br />-John