Bilge auto-switch connected to thrusters switch?

[vt97john]

I just purchased a 2013 R29 and had it trucked to my area. Noticed bilge only working on manual mode (auto switches not functioning). I hired a marine electrical contractor and he found the situation described below. Its contrary to what the R29 owners manual describes. Owners manual says auto-bilge should function when ALL battery switches are off. Any insight as to why auto-bilge us wired to thruster switch? Any idea why previous owner or trucking company may have disconnected the wire at the battery?

"We found the power for the auto switches to be connected to the thruster battery switches. The thruster 12vt positive feed was disconnected at the battery?? Any ideas of why? We reconnected the cable and the auto switches are working as they should. Curious as to why the 12vt positive feed was disconnected. Might need looked into if you don’t exactly know why. We could move the leads for power to the auto bilge switches to an 'always on' battery switch, but it would take a considerable bit of time. "

 

[Red Raven]

Hi John,

There are two connections to each of the standard battery switches. One to the battery (always on) and one to the load (switched). The bilge pumps should be connected to the battery side. The connection at the switches is just a convenient place to make the connection. Anywhere there is a direct (always on) connection is appropriate and using the thruster battery is where it is on our boat.

Don’t know why the wire to your pump would have been disconnected. To verify it is now connected to the correct terminal turn your thruster switch off and pour water into the bilge to verify the bilge pump turns on. You can also test it by putting your fingers across the test spots on the sensor but it can be difficult to reach. Do not test with the manual switch as it is likely connected to a different battery connection for redundancy.

Curt

 

[jagizzi]

It is possible that the previous owner disconnected the Thruster to eliminate any chance of the thruster coming on spontaneously. There is some discussion of this happening on some boats on this forum.

Jim

 

[vt97john]

Thanks Curt, that info was useful and I'm all set now. Quick unrelated question: Is 19 psi a healthy oil pressure reading for the boat at idle? Thats after running for just a couple minutes.

 

[Red Raven]

Thanks Curt, that info was useful and I'm all set now. Quick unrelated question: Is 19 psi a healthy oil pressure reading for the boat at idle? Thats after running for just a couple minutes.

Sorry, I have a R27 with a Volvo D3-200 so I don’t know what is normal for your engine. It will likely vary depending on how warm the engine is and how long you stay at that rpm.

 

[knotflying]

The PSI is derived via the computer and is not a mechanical reading. A reading of 19 PSI is acceptable, but on the low side. There was a service bulletin on the oil pressure reading and it involved a software update and running a ground wire from the sensor unit to the paddle wheel connection on the wire harness. The issue was a low reading and hence a low oil pressure alarm. Check to see if this bulletin was done on your boat. However, my opinion is, "if it works, don't fix it." Just record what your normal pressure range is and go with that.