CaspersCruiser
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 11, 2016
- Messages
- 921
- Fluid Motion Model
- R-27 Classic
- Hull Identification Number
- FMLT2709G112
- Vessel Name
- Cookie
- MMSI Number
- 368203460
I want to advise folks that if the AUTO feature of your bilge pump is not working, but the bilge pump MANUAL switch does activate it, don’t assume the cause is a bad water level sensor. Check the fuse in the wiring that runs directly from the batteries to the bilge pump. The MANUAL bilge pump switch has a separate power path from the AUTO circuit.
I recently had a dripless shaft seal installed on my 2012 R27. When I arrived at the boat after the shaft work was complete, I noticed that enough water had collected in the bilge that it covered the bilge pump. The AUTO feature should have activated and expelled the collected water.
Since the AUTO feature of the bilge pump seemed to be inop, I turned on the bilge pump using the manual switch on the electrical panel at the helm. After about five seconds, the circuit breaker feature of the switch flipped it off. The bilge pump was removed from its bracket and the jam was quickly discovered and cleared. Using the manual switch at the helm, the bilge pump functioned normally, but the AUTO feature did not work.
This was the fix: The AUTO feature of the bilge pump is powered directly from the batteries through a circuit protected by a 5-amp blade fuse. That fuse is in a group of several fuses housed in square black fuse holders located just below the battery switches on my boat. The wire is labeled “Bilge Pump #1”. The jammed impeller also caused that fuse to blow.
I wanted to make a separate thread about this issue so that it that may come up in future searches for folks who experience the situation where manual bilge pump operation works, but auto doesn’t.
I recently had a dripless shaft seal installed on my 2012 R27. When I arrived at the boat after the shaft work was complete, I noticed that enough water had collected in the bilge that it covered the bilge pump. The AUTO feature should have activated and expelled the collected water.
Since the AUTO feature of the bilge pump seemed to be inop, I turned on the bilge pump using the manual switch on the electrical panel at the helm. After about five seconds, the circuit breaker feature of the switch flipped it off. The bilge pump was removed from its bracket and the jam was quickly discovered and cleared. Using the manual switch at the helm, the bilge pump functioned normally, but the AUTO feature did not work.
This was the fix: The AUTO feature of the bilge pump is powered directly from the batteries through a circuit protected by a 5-amp blade fuse. That fuse is in a group of several fuses housed in square black fuse holders located just below the battery switches on my boat. The wire is labeled “Bilge Pump #1”. The jammed impeller also caused that fuse to blow.
I wanted to make a separate thread about this issue so that it that may come up in future searches for folks who experience the situation where manual bilge pump operation works, but auto doesn’t.