2012 R29 High Water Bilge Alarm Sensor Location Too High

[jpdewitt]

I recently tracked down the location of the sensor for the High Water Alarm to test it. The High Water Sensor in our boat is located under the access hatch that is just inside the aft entrance door. The sensor is located above the forward bilge pump just forward of the engine. The test was successful, but I noticed that in order for a high water incursion to activate the alarm, the water level would be above the bottom of the alternator and lower part of the engine & belt drives. Not sure if this was a Friday afternoon install issue, but sensor location was way too high to be of any use in the event of water incursion. Next time you inspect your forward bilge pump take a look and see if your installation was also placed to high to be an effective deterrent alarm.

To remedy, I removed the two screws holding the sensor against the bulkhead just forward of the engine and lowered it about 7 inches near the very bottom of the engine bilge where it will activate the alarm at about the same time the forward bilge pump activates.

John & Della
R29 Sunny Tug
Pensacola, FL

 

[Ralf H]

Hi jpdewitt,

Just chiming in with a bot more info. The high water alarm on your boat was not a "Friday afternoon" install, but is where it was intended to be. The operator of the boat should always be aware of any issues that would allow excess water to intrude into the bilge and cause potential harm. This includes maintaining bilge pumps, sea cocks, etc. The alarm was not intended to absolve the operator of this. It was intended as a last resort alarm to inform the crew that the boat is in imminent danger. Of course, it is entirely up to you if you decide to move the alarm to another location. Just be aware of the location in order for it not to be too low and become a nuisance that ends up getting turned off. (it has happened) 😉

Hope this helps explain a bit.

Cheers!

Ralf

 

[jpdewitt]

Ralph, thanks for your reply. I like to have some reaction time and be warned of a problem before it becomes as you call it "an imminent danger". The factory installed sensor location would trigger the alarm only when the water reached a level that could cause an engine shut down at worst or significant damage to the alternator or the belt drives in the event of a water incursion while underway or while at the dock.