Bilge help!

[emmy116]

Hi there—
I have a 2008 tug R-21EC. The bilge pumps works when I turn on the switch but does not automatically come on. Advice? It sounds like a few of you have put in a backup bilge—great idea. Any specifics are welcome. I am now babysitting the boat every rainstorm and the new secretary at the my boat shop told me mechanics are busy and they will handle when I pull the boat out.
Thanks in advance.

 

[CaspersCruiser]

There are two possible problems.

One is a blown fuse in the wiring that goes directly to the battery. On my 2012 R27, that fuse is in a square black blade fuse holder near the battery switches. It is labeled. It’s possible that your boat is wired in a similar way. To check the fuse, pull fuse holder apart and pull the blade fuse out.

The other possibility is whatever mechanism triggers the pump to run when there is excessive water in the bilge is not functioning. You just need to find out what the automatic system is and test it.

 

[Maggie Anne]

Some of the earlier bilge pumps had sensors that could collect scum and then not register a high water situation. The sensor could be checked by putting a finger on each of the two sense positions on the side of the sensor and that should trigger it to start. Cleaning the sensor regularly was a maintenance item.

 

[Newf]

As the other posts point out it could be a couple of things. On my 2014 R21EC the fuse is located at and connected to the house battery. Just pull it to check for a blown fuse. (5 amp on mine) If you have a Johnson 750GPM pump like the one in this photo, the black box on the side is the auto sensor. There are two little circles on the front face of the box. Sometimes the face get gummed up with crap and it fails to operate automatically. Clean the face and place two wet finger, one on each of the circles. Not much room there but it's doable. If this doesn't activate the pump then you have a failed sensor or broken/loose wire connection. I have had both issues over the years. The box just lifts straight up from the base of the pump making is easier to access the two circle locations if you have trouble testing it in place. Be careful removing the box as it sit on a plastic clip and easy to break.. Some have reported that the box has simply come off of the clip and floating in the bilge, circles facing up. Just need reattaching. Good luck with your trouble shooting.

 

[tlkenyon]

I have the same issue in my 2005 R21 Classic. I vigorously flush the bilges and the pump with clean water to was off the "bilge mung." Restores automatic functionality.