bilge pump problem

Jerold Geisenheimer

Well-known member
Joined
May 26, 2010
Messages
61
Fluid Motion Model
C-288 C
Hull Identification Number
FMLt2919c909
Vessel Name
Joint Venture
Has anyone ever changed the aft bilge pump in an R29? Is it tough? Also is the float mechanism separate from the motor like a flapper or is it integral to the pump? My circuit breaker keeps showing " on" even though the pump motor is not running. The only way to extinguish the yellow light is to remove the appropriate fuse. I also have to decide if it is a switch problem or a pump problem or is it one unit? Jerry Geisenheimer
 
Jerry,
If I am understanding you correctly, you have the breaker switch on the panel in the "on" position. If this is correct, you should not have this on. This switch is in case the float switch fails. If the light is on even with the breaker off, you have another problem......

I have removed and cleaned both the float switch and the pump. No big deal. Now I do say that as someone that stands 5 foot 8 inches and weighs in at 145 pounds....... I once had someone that we know that owns an R-25 call me a little monkey.......

Good luck, hope this helps!
 
Hi Jerry, I've been where you are...

Yes, I've replaced the Johnson bilge pumps that came with the Circle T Ranger 29 -- 3 times now. To answer your first question, the water level sensor is electronic, part of the pump -- there is no float switch per se. Initially my problem was that the bilge pump would be submerged in water and turn on, but not pump water. That problem turned out to be the metal drive shaft on the motor shearing the plastic impeller. The electronic sensor would sense water and turn on the motor, but the motor's drive shaft wouldn't turn the impeller because a 5 cent part was too weak to bear the load. After replacing the entire bilge pump (as the impeller alone is not replaceable), it still wouldn't function reliably. The reason this time was that it was not "self-priming". After much head-scratching, I thought this all too unreliable for such an important piece of equipment, so I looked for a different brand of bilge pump.

On the advice of the Ranger factory, I replaced it with a Whale bilge pump. However, after about 2 months I found that I'd show up at the boat and the pump would be running continuously - even though there was no water in the bilge. The Whale pumps also have an integral electronic water sensor to turn them on and off. It would sense water when there was none, and turn on and run continuously, with no way short of removing the fuse to turn it off. Fortunately I was on shore power and not battery power. So I took out the Whale pump...

I finally bought and installed a Rule 500 GPH pump. This pump has neither an electronic switch or physical switch to sense water. Instead, every 3 minutes it just turns on. If it senses no physical resistance to it's impeller turning, it instantly turns off. If it does sense resistance, because there's water there to be pumped, it keeps running and pumps it overboard and then stops. So far I've had this Rule pump for several months and it just works. The power drain from it turning on and instantly off every 3 minutes is miniscule. The 500 GPH model was a fallback -- I initially tried a more powerful pump but it was physically too large to fit in our rather skinny bilge area.

To change any bilge pump requires cutting wires, and then reconnecting them to the new pump with water-proof connectors that you must heat up and melt into place. The old mount at the bottom of the bilge must also be unscrewed and removed, and the new mount installed. If you're not comfortable with electronic connections, and flexible enough to reach the bottom of the bilge with a screw driver, then you should probably hire it done by a professional. It's a quick job for a knowledgeable DIY owner or a pro. Hope this helps.
 
For those of you who were so kind to respond to my bilge pump problem a great big thank you. I finally changed the Johnson 1000gpm cartridge and that solved the problem. Thankfully no need to call the super expensive marina mechanic. I elected not to change pumps as this would entail a lot more work and no guarantee that it would be much better. So now I keep a spare cartridge on board and having swaped it once feel confident I can correct the problem next time. I am sure there will be a "next time". The only problem I now have is being a retired dentist Tim the mechanic has threatened to start extracting teeth. Jerry Geisenheimer
 
Having a small tool bag and being able to perform minor repairs can sure cut down on the expenses of maintaining a boat. And you never know, that what you pick up may help you when your boat decides to go dead in the water. The other thing to have handy is a TowBoatUS Card - I wouldn't leave the dock without it. 😉
 
IMHO --,-- YOU COULDN'T GIVE ME A JOHNSON PUMP UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES,-- HAVING DEALT WITH THEM REGARDING MY FRESH WATER PUMP [EVEN WITH ANDREW'S MOST GRACIOUS ASSISTANCE] THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE --- WELL,, REALLY SUCKS :evil: ONE TUG OWNER'S PERSPECTIVE-- SEE YOU GUYS AT VIP NITE 😀 STEVEANDTINA
 
I agree. Both of my Johnson bilge pumps failed prematurely. Not without causing many problems including engine electronics, starter and glow plugs. I had the Johnson pumps replaced with Rule pumps and so far have not had any more problems.
 
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