Powering up the bilge pump.

« **on:** April 30, 2014, 07:47:33 PM »

Still learning and one of the things I need to set up is the bilge pump.
Does the pump constantly run with the key on/ engine runnin?
Or with a toggle switch turned off and on manually? ....But, how do you know when to turn it on/off if your up front driving and you can't see if there's water back there?
Or is it set up with a water level arm type system, so that when an arm is raised from the level of water, it automatically turns itself on and off??
The guy I got it from had it powered on with the key, but I feel if there was no water back there, a constantly running pump will 1) get hot/ overheat, 2) burn up from lack of water "lubricant" thru it, or 3) quit working when I need it the most from just overworking itself being on constantly???

« **Reply #1 on:** April 30, 2014, 07:55:19 PM »

Quote from: Ken on April 30, 2014, 07:47:33 PM

Still learning and one of the things I need to set up is the bilge pump.
Does the pump constantly run with the key on/ engine runnin?
Or with a toggle switch turned off and on manually? ....But, how do you know when to turn it on/off if your up front driving and you can't see if there's water back there?
Or is it set up with a water level arm type system, so that when an arm is raised from the level of water, it automatically turns itself on and off??
The guy I got it from had it powered on with the key, but I feel if there was no water back there, a constantly running pump will 1) get hot/ overheat, 2) burn up from lack of water "lubricant" thru it, or 3) quit working when I need it the most from just overworking itself being on constantly???

Ken, here is what I normally do. The bilge pump should really only run with water in the bilge. That being said, a switch at the dash is the norm.

What I do is run an automatic pump with a manual override at the dash, this is normally a three way switch "on" for auto mode, "off" for , well, off and "on" for on to override the auto portion.

Has never failed me. The race boat had three pumps, one up in the nose on a panic switch, one fully automatic in the bilge and another in the bilge on a separate power supply... All of those pumps were 1600 GPH...

GT

« **Reply #2 on:** April 30, 2014, 08:15:49 PM »

Quote from: GT Jets on April 30, 2014, 07:55:19 PM

What I do is run an automatic pump with a manual override at the dash, this is normally a three way switch "on" for auto mode, "off" for , well, off and "on" for on to override the auto portion.

GT

Now when you say "automatic pump" do you mean one that only operates when it senses water back there? Such as operated with a float system, or water sensing device, or arm like on a toilet?? Not counting the obvious on/off/manual override switch. But when I go to a "boat store",....mostly, fishing or pleasure boats, (they have no idea what a drag boat is) there are 20 different types they have. Same thing when I look online???

I'm kinda confused. <------ easily done.

« **Reply #3 on:** April 30, 2014, 08:21:58 PM »

Quote from: Ken on April 30, 2014, 08:15:49 PM

Now when you say "automatic pump" do you mean one that only operates when it senses water back there? Such as operated with a float system, or water sensing device, or arm like on a toilet?? Not counting the obvious on/off/manual override switch. But when I go to a "boat store",....mostly, fishing or pleasure boats, (they have no idea what a drag boat is) there are 20 different types they have. Same thing when I look online???

I'm kinda confused. <------ easily done.

Hahaha!..

http://www.attwoodmarine.com/store/product/Sahara-S500-500-GPH--12-Volt

I have used these cheapo pieces of crap and just figure I would replace it every couple years. The Rule pump with the "smart chip" work OK, but I have had some repeat failures that made me lose faith... Besides, they cost twice as much and last half as long...

It will have three wires, a ground (pretty self explanitory) a brown with a white stripe (auto mode that runs off a float switch) and a brown that runs the pump irregardless of what the float switch does...

I typed that really slow, so hopefully you could keep up LMAO...

GT

« **Reply #4 on:** April 30, 2014, 08:22:46 PM »

I put a auto float type in mine and it was the best thing I've done to the boat since I got it. No more baby sitting when tied up off the beach.

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« **Reply #5 on:** April 30, 2014, 08:29:39 PM »

PERFECT,!!
Thanks, I'll look for and get THAT one! I'll check that off my list!

I'll get 2, one for a spare!,

« **Reply #6 on:** April 30, 2014, 10:07:33 PM »

Quote from: Ken on April 30, 2014, 08:29:39 PM

PERFECT,!!
Thanks, I'll look for and get THAT one! I'll check that off my list!

I'll get 2, one for a spare!,

It was like 70$ at Wally World 750gph. The I have a manual 500gph that I still need to T into my exit. They make a special valve with built in check valves.

Sent from my iPhone using SoCal Jet Boats

« **Reply #7 on:** May 01, 2014, 08:35:22 AM »

You can also check out water witch. It's a sensing switch instead of a float switch. I know sometimes with a float they can get stuck " on " and run constantly, either burning up the pump or running down the battery. Thats all I got.

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Ken

Powering up the bilge pump.

GT Jets

Re: Powering up the bilge pump.

Ken

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GT Jets

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Jet Boat Maloney

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Ken

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Jet Boat Maloney

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Second Chance

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