Bilge pump running...

[sheral]

Went out to the boat today and I could hear the bilge pump running. Weather was dry, sunny and calm. I’m guessing it went on during the last day or so when we had some winds and float stuck and the pump has been on steadily ever since. ??? Anyway, I pulled the fuse and put the fuse back in and it seems to work as expected. The battery was a bit low but everything started and powered up so I took the boat for a good 2 hour run.

My question is... can you ever trust a bilge pump once it sticks in the on position? Is that about all you guys are getting out of a bilge pump (1 to 2 seasons)? If I replace it, have you had any better luck with any specific brand?

Thanks.

 

[Andrew Custis]

There are a few things to check with the bilge pumps. The first is to make sure that there is no oily water or debris down in the bilge. The oil can get on the electronic float and cause it to turn on when it doesn't need to turn on. The other thing is to make sure the bilge cartridge itself is nice and clean on the outside and inside. I had a pump running this weekend and cleaned the float and it shut right off. I would recommend checking the bilge frequently and rinsing the bilge area by flushing water through it frequently.

Regarding better pumps, I'm not sure that exists. Some I'm sure have a preference but these are put in the worst conditions and they don't last long.

 

[sheral]

Thanks Andrew. Much appreciated.

Regards.

 

[sheral]

Yup, a few buckets of soapy water through the bilge has rectified the sticking. Another thing to add to the weekly/monthly to do list 🙂 Thanks again...

 

[stwendl]

At the rendezvous registration a bottle of bilge cleaner was given out. Worked like a charm and bilge is as clean as new.

 

[knotflying]

After I use the manual switch to empty the bilge I spray some simple green on the sensor and in the bilge area. and wipe down sensor. Remove the pump cartridge and make sure no debris is in impeller or cartridge canister. Reinsert cartridge and pour fresh water to fill bilge and activate pump. I do this every two weeks.

 

[sheral]

After I use the manual switch to empty the bilge I spray some simple green on the sensor and in the bilge area. and wipe down sensor. Remove the pump cartridge and make sure no debris is in impeller or cartridge canister. Reinsert cartridge and pour fresh water to fill bilge and activate pump. I do this every two weeks.

Good post thanks. Coincidentally I did use Simple Green when rinsing out the bilge, however I will follow up with the proper cleaning of the cartridge etc as you noted above.

 

[Swell]

I have read many of the posts on the problem with the bilge pump at times not shutting off. I had the same problem when we first purchased our R25SC in 2013, I tried all of the posted solutions and nothing solved the problem. What I found is that the bilge pump cartidge under the drive shaft on my boat is actually installed to low or right on the borderline for low water level shut off. When I re-install the sensor cartidge now I do not push it all the way down onto the notch but leave it slightly elevated from the bottom. I have not had the problem of not shutting off since.

Swell

 

[sheral]

I have read many of the posts on the problem with the bilge pump at times not shutting off. I had the same problem when we first purchased our R25SC in 2013, I tried all of the posted solutions and nothing solved the problem. What I found is that the bilge pump cartidge under the drive shaft on my boat is actually installed to low or right on the borderline for low water level shut off. When I re-install the sensor cartidge now I do not push it all the way down onto the notch but leave it slightly elevated from the bottom. I have not had the problem of not shutting off since.

Swell

Copy, thank you.