Wiring a Toggle Switch to a Bilge Pump?

[turtle1173]

Hi all,<br /><br /> I am "electronically challenged" and would appreciate your input on this.<br /><br /> I want to rig my manual bilge pump to a toggle switch, so I can switch it on and off at my will.<br /><br /> OK, the bilge pump has two wires that come off it (+ & -). The toggle switches I've seen either have 2 contact points or 3. Which do I need? And then how do I wire it?<br /><br /> Where do I connect the two wires from the bilge? And then where will the wires that will come from the battery connect?<br /><br />Thanks for the help.<br /><br />Shane

 

[Solittle]

Re: Wiring a Toggle Switch to a Bilge Pump?

I would do it this way:<br /><br />Connect the - from the bilge pump directly to the battery.<br /><br />Connect the + from the bilge pump to an in-line fuse (like an auto small barrel type) to one side of the toggle switch. Then run a line from the other side of the toggle switch directly to the battery.<br /><br />It should be connected directly to the battery and not to a fuse panel as if you have a problem there you will not be able to get bower to the pump.<br /><br />If you have (or get) a bilge pump with an auto-on switch the wiring is the same except you connect the second + to the battery also.

 

[TwoBallScrewBall]

Re: Wiring a Toggle Switch to a Bilge Pump?

Slow morning so I drew this for you. Also included how you would wire in an automatic float switch...<br /><br />

 

[Solittle]

Re: Wiring a Toggle Switch to a Bilge Pump?

Steve - No fuse?????????????

 

[Philip Stone]

Re: Wiring a Toggle Switch to a Bilge Pump?

I read an essay or two at http://www.yachtsurvey.com/ on bilge pumps. This guy's take on pump's value makes you really think about how you set up your bilge pumps and how if it is done right they could really save your skin one day. I ended up installing two additional pumps after reading his stuff. <br /><br />So in an 18' cabin skiff I have the old and original 450 gph Atwood pump amidships to deal with rain water and day to day spills this one is on a 3-way switch with float switch for Auto & Manual control, then I added a new Rule 500 gph also amidships but installed a little higher than the Atwood this one is on a straight on-off switch and is intended for use if I take on water in rough water, then lastly I installed a Rule 2000 gph pump at the stern end with float switch and 3-way for Auto-Manual control and this one gives me peace of mind in case the SHTF!! <br /><br />Read his points on floatswitch placement and advice on pumping capacity per size of boat. I didn't even get near his reccomendations but still feel a lot better with a theoretical (best case scenario) capacity of 3,950 gph.<br /><br />I made a small modification I like too. If you use a Rule spring-loaded switch (as I did in my 3-way Auto-Manual setups) then the spring will turn off from the Manual position. No problem if you are sitting at the dock and just clearing out rain water but let's say you are out at sea and take on water. If your float switch fails for what ever reason you'll need to use the Manual position to pump. However in mean seas I can't imagine keeping my finger on the pump switch (let alone two) and the helm. So using a small cable clamp I attached a strong rubber band (made by cutting a cross section of an old bike inner tube) to the dash. In an emergency the band can be slipped over the switch toggle to keep it running in the Manual position hands-off.

 

[Solittle]

Re: Wiring a Toggle Switch to a Bilge Pump?

Alpine - Give some thought to linking the output from all three of your bilge together and connecting them to a fire cannon. Your 18'er would make a hell of a fire boat.

 

[Philip Stone]

Re: Wiring a Toggle Switch to a Bilge Pump?

SoLittle - Hey now you're talkin', I've been looking for ways to but the little gal to work! I can just see my little girls showing up at the beach and blasting the other kids in a water fight too!<br /><br />I wondered if I followed David Pascoe's advice if I wouldn't have sunk her from the weight of extra pumps and batteries!