Auto bilge pump R21EC

R

rt11002003

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 16, 2008
Messages
720
Fluid Motion Model
C-24 C SE
Hull Identification Number
FMLT2113H314
Vessel Name
Loaf'N
Well, it's happened to me. 🙁 My auto bilge pump isn't auto right now. It has an electronic sensor, which I suspect is dirty. Tried cleaning it, but not sure where to find the sensor. 😳 Didn't have a mirror with me. 😳 😳 Left the bilge with soapy water in it, hoping it will clean itself. :lol:

Can anyone tell me where to look for the sensor?

gene
 
Gene, on my 21EC the auto-sensing switch is right in front of the pump base toward the engine. It is mounted on a pad and the two sensors are located vertically on the side toward the pump motor. You can wash them with the soapy water, rinse them, and then drain the bilge. For an operational check place two fingers on the touch pads ..... as I mentioned they are one above the other and are slightly recessed ...... hold your fingers on the pads for a couple seconds and the pump should start. If there is no response you can check the fuse ..... on "Reflections" it is right at the rear deck hatch. If everything checks out but still no pump action then it is time to get out the Fluke meter and start running continuity checks. Hope this has been of some assistance ........ Fran
 
Gene, just a quick follow-up ..... there is a second auto-sensor mounted higher up on the side of the keel tunnel above the level of the prop shaft which is the sender for the Johnson high water alert ..... you might check that out first to get a feel for the location of the touch pads ...... happy troubleshooting ...... Fran 😉
 
Hi Fran, thanks for the advice. The older R21ECs have some differences compared to the new ones. My bilge pump is nothing like you mentioned. NOTE TO OWNERS OF OLDER R21ECs: My 2007 model has a Rule pump, 500 gpm rating. The electronic sensor in enclosed within the pump case; the case has to be separated to clean the pump and sensor. Be careful, the sensor can fall out. Remember to put the pump screen back in when putting things together. There is no provision for testing the pump, except normal operation.

I had been using the switch at the helm to run the pump to drain the rainwater while trying to find my auto function problem. Assumed the power for both manual and auto operation came from that switch-per a diagram with a new switch in my spares box. WRONG. I failed to follow the basic trouble shooting procedures learned in the USAF 59 years ago: 1. Check for power. No power, check the circuit breaker (fuse). After cleaning and reinstalling the pump, it still wouldn't function automatically. THEN, I finally checked the auto function circuit for power. How about 4.1 volts? It won't drive the pump. Traced the circuit straight back to the house battery, not to the main pump switch per diagram. House battery reads 4.1 volts. Problem solved, hooked pump circuit to start battery until I can get another house battery.

Had a problem with the batteries when I received the boat. Charged everything, seemed to cure problem. Most of use of house battery was done while engine was running, so no indication of poor house battery. I always shutoff batteries and raw water when leaving boat. So, my starting battery was well charged and OK every time I went out. LESSON: Always determine why you have a battery problem, don't think charging takes care of the problem.

gene
 
If your house battery isn't getting charged, you may have a problem with how the automatic charging relay is wired. It was wired incorrectly on my 2008 and I suspect on others and wouldn't charge my house battery. Took me a while to figure it out but charging is great now. You might note that the relay won't work if either battery is less than, I think, 10 volts. If that's the case then charge each individually until they're healthy again. If you have the ACR then google it for wiring diagram and instructions. Good luck!
 
rt11002003":1c9tdn0b said:
Hi Fran, thanks for the advice. The older R21ECs have some differences compared to the new ones. My bilge pump is nothing like you mentioned. NOTE TO OWNERS OF OLDER R21ECs: My 2007 model has a Rule pump, 500 gpm rating. The electronic sensor in enclosed within the pump case; the case has to be separated to clean the pump and sensor. Be careful, the sensor can fall out. Remember to put the pump screen back in when putting things together. There is no provision for testing the pump, except normal operation.

I had been using the switch at the helm to run the pump to drain the rainwater while trying to find my auto function problem. Assumed the power for both manual and auto operation came from that switch-per a diagram with a new switch in my spares box. WRONG. I failed to follow the basic trouble shooting procedures learned in the USAF 59 years ago: 1. Check for power. No power, check the circuit breaker (fuse). After cleaning and reinstalling the pump, it still wouldn't function automatically. THEN, I finally checked the auto function circuit for power. How about 4.1 volts? It won't drive the pump. Traced the circuit straight back to the house battery, not to the main pump switch per diagram. House battery reads 4.1 volts. Problem solved, hooked pump circuit to start battery until I can get another house battery.

Had a problem with the batteries when I received the boat. Charged everything, seemed to cure problem. Most of use of house battery was done while engine was running, so no indication of poor house battery. I always shutoff batteries and raw water when leaving boat. So, my starting battery was well charged and OK every time I went out. LESSON: Always determine why you have a battery problem, don't think charging takes care of the problem.

gene
Click to expand...

WAY TO GO GENE!! 😀

Now that's being self-reliant and using your noggin! Following a few basic principles of electrical circuits and using your VOM will help you isolate your problem in many cases. Your 59 year old training is STILL valid, hooray.

Fair Winds and Isolated batteries,

Dave
 
mlul, not sure about automatic charging relay. I may, or may not, have one. I have the three position battery switch which I'm pretty sure I didn't have in my 2009 R21EC. I'm sure power from the alternator is/was getting to the house battery. The auto function of the bilge pump worked when the engine was running yesterday during my trouble shooting and repair work. The house battery read 13+ volts with the engine running. The battery charger is hooked directly to each battery, so there isn't a relay involved.

Dave, I have three VOMs. 😀 Can't remember ever being without owning one. Though I can recall making and using a test light to check a circuit once. m/b I'd lost, or left my VOM somewhere. 😱
 
Continuing saga: :ugeek: Went to the boat yesterday to replace house battery. After replacing it, checked auto function. Pump ran, no water thru hose. 😱 Released pump from mounting bracket, after rotating it, it began to pump water. 🙂 Then, the pump wouldn't stop even when re-mounted to the bracket. 🙁 Took it off again, shook it, finally stopped. Tried to check it again, same result. Wouldn't start, then wouldn't stop. :x

Fortunately, the boat came with a brand new bilge pump. Larger, so I had to change mounting bracket. The retaining screws have the square holes in the heads. My tools were too large. 😳 Finally, got mounting bracket changed. The larger pump wouldn't fit between the drive shaft and the keel side walls. 😳 Disassembled the pump, put the pieces thru; reassembled the pump. :ugeek: New pump works fine. 😀

Will the new pump work the next time? :?: I thought the old one was OK. I had tested it three, or four times. But, after leaving it for a day, I got the results mentioned above. I'm thinking the sensor was the problem. I could get the pump to move water and to stop by rotating it. Can't figure out why. It's plastic riding within plastic. Maybe cleaning the gunk out messed things up.

gene
 
Add me to the club. My aft auto bilge pump stopped being automatic. Fuse replaced but still no love. I'll try the detergent in the bilge and a spirited romp in rough water, followed by a fresh water rinse to see if that solves the issue.

Anybody remember Rosanne Roseanadanna? "If it's not one thing, it's another." :mrgreen:
 
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