Switches have lights for a reason.

[Thad]

Well, I don't know if this is a SHT or not, but I think I will be replacing my bilge pump.

We took my buddy and his kids out on Sunday. He is thinking of buying a boat. We had a great time.
Got on the trailer about 8:30 and went back to my place for pizza.
Last night, I was turning everything off in the shack when I heard a noise and I could not figure out what it was. As I am following the sound, I realized it was my bilge pump. It had obviously been running for at least 24 hours.
My set-up is an automatic float switch with an override at the helm. So, the switch, on the dash, with the little red light on, that I never look at, and should have seen got turned on sometime Sunday and ran for a long time.
I don't know what the set up is in a pump, but I doubt that running without water for any length of time is good for it. So, I am going to have to replace it.

That will teach me to be a little more aware of those lights on the dash.
What is weird is, I was sure that I always double check everything in the boat BEFORE I get out. Oh well, at least I know my Interstate battery will last a long time if I ever need it to.

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: Switches have lights for a reason.

I left my blower on for 3days- it still works . Big light on the dash- duh!
last Friday night I went to pick up my buddy Mark from his houseboat and the slip next to him has a very nice 35ft sport cruiser that is rarley used but 3or4 times a year and the bow spotlight is on for hours blinding everyone leaving the marina. it was off when we came back in.

 

[bamadave]

Re: Switches have lights for a reason.

I doubt it hurt it running dry. They aren't like a pump that depends on water to lubricate bearings. As long as it doesn't squeal, should be fine. But if you'd feel better, stick the pump in a bucket of water and check it for flow. If it pumps good, let it go.

 

[j_martin]

Re: Switches have lights for a reason.

I doubt it hurt it running dry. They aren't like a pump that depends on water to lubricate bearings. As long as it doesn't squeal, should be fine. But if you'd feel better, stick the pump in a bucket of water and check it for flow. If it pumps good, let it go.

Just put the plug in and run a little water in the bilge to test the pump. If it doesn't work, pull the plug and drain it.

I doubt the pump was hurt. Happens all the time with bilge and livewell pumps. They are centrifugal pumps, and dry they draw very little power. Assembly is simple, with no special wetted seals.

The battery is what got hurt. Don't forget to charge it up.

hope it helps
John

 

[Thad]

Re: Switches have lights for a reason.

The battery is what got hurt. Don't forget to charge it up.

hope it helps
John

Good call. I was not going to charge it. Figured if the pump still ran, had charge.
Duh, starter need MORE power than a pump.

 

[wvstriper]

Re: Switches have lights for a reason.

Another good reason for having two batteries.

 

[CaptainKev]

Re: Switches have lights for a reason.

The only time my switch light are visible is at night & a couple of the three way rockers are very hard to see whether they are on, or off. I agree with J_Martin, do a real world bilge pump test and charge the batteries. Just because it runs doesn't mean it pumps water.
Kev.

 

[sox 1]

Re: Switches have lights for a reason.

Well, I don't know if this is a SHT or not, but I think I will be replacing my bilge pump.

We took my buddy and his kids out on Sunday. He is thinking of buying a boat. We had a great time.
Got on the trailer about 8:30 and went back to my place for pizza.
Last night, I was turning everything off in the shack when I heard a noise and I could not figure out what it was. As I am following the sound, I realized it was my bilge pump. It had obviously been running for at least 24 hours.
My set-up is an automatic float switch with an override at the helm. So, the switch, on the dash, with the little red light on, that I never look at, and should have seen got turned on sometime Sunday and ran for a long time.
I don't know what the set up is in a pump, but I doubt that running without water for any length of time is good for it. So, I am going to have to replace it.

That will teach me to be a little more aware of those lights on the dash.
What is weird is, I was sure that I always double check everything in the boat BEFORE I get out. Oh well, at least I know my Interstate battery will last a long time if I ever need it to.

save yourself some time and money, put a garden hose in the bilge and check the output of the pump.

 

[wajajaja02]

Re: Switches have lights for a reason.

another good reason to have a battery cut off switch, I have a pergo on one boat that has a dual battery set up, and a simple cut out on the single battery boat, and u can go with a quick disconnect battery terminal also. less than 5 bucks.

 

[lowkee]

Re: Switches have lights for a reason.

Bilge pumps have a hard plastic wheel, unlike your leg water pump. In all reality itisn't much different than your blower motor, just smaller and with higher pitched 'fan' blades. The hard blades work by not actually touching the pump walls, but coming close enough to let the viscosity of water complete the pump seal when water is present.

Bilge pumps for deeper areas may have a rubber wheel, though, as pumping water higher requires a better seal, although decent pump engineering could likely reduce this need quite a bit.