Bilge Pump Testing & Scupper Cleaning

[OldSailor41]

On my R31S how can I check to see if my bilge pump system is working? And how do I go about cleaning out the scuppers? I was reading that they can cause problems if plugged up. Sorry if these are strange questions.

 

[baz]

1) The bilge pumps have a manual setting via the Bilge breaker switch. Turn this switch to ON and you should hear the pumps whining away. Also, to make sure the pumps do automatically actually pump water, place sufficient water into the bilge to activate the auto activation.

2) The scuppers have plastic grates at their ends. Clean them or simply remove them all together as many of us have had to do as they easily clog and go unnoticed. 😱

 

[captstu]

There is no adequate way to ensure the electronic bilge pump switches are working. All three of mine failed.

The only reasonable thing to do is replace the electronic switches with mechanical switches that can easily be tested just by lifting the arm.

If you were set on keeping the electronic switches you could periodically pour a few gallons of water into the bilge. This is OK for a twice yearly testing but really isn't practical to do as part of your pre-departure checklist. Proving to yourself that the bilge pumps work by testing with the switch on the console only tests half the problem. If you really want to be sure your boat won't sink at the dock or if your shaft log breaks or any of 100 other things I can happen to a boat, you must test the bilge pump switch frequently. That is not easily possible with an electronic switch.


Stuart Bell
Ranger 25: Shearwater
(561) 352-1796

 

[knotflying]

It is actually not too difficult to test the electronic switch. There are two embossed rings on the sensor. Make the peace sign with your fingers and put one finger on each circle and the pump should go on. Once you remove your fingers it should go off. These sensors require diligence. You should check them regularly and clean any film that builds up on them off with a spray of simple green and wipe them with a paper towel. Also check the manual switch as stated above. If you check the sensor and the bilge does not engage, before replacing it, check the in line fuse. These can blow if the pump did not turn off after a while. It is important to also pull the pump cartridge and make sure the impeller is clean. A build up of crud around the impeller impairs the pumping of water and that is how the sensor and or fuse will blow.

 

[OldSailor41]

Thanks very much everyone. That is very helpful.

 

[captstu]

Knot,

You must be taller, thinner, and much more nimble and I am. The primary sensor I checked through my pre-departure check is the one most often used the aft sensor. On my 2010 R 25 The sensor is located under the propeller shaft, under the exhaust hose, under most everything else on the boat-exactly where you would expect. To reach the sensor I must lie on the cockpit soul, Reach down under the propeller and reach under the sensor the lowest place where the contacts you described are located.

Prior to replacing the sensor I removed and cleaned it exactly as you described. The normal very small quantity of diesel, oil, soap and other cleaning solutions creates the crud deposit you describe causing the sensor to either turn on the bilge pump switch when there is a little water present or not turn on the switch when the bilge pump should be pumping.

I cannot reach the forward sensor for routine testing. I cannot reach the sensor for the dash console indicator because I cannot find it just by tracing wires.

Everyone runs their own boat and makes their own decisions. My decision for my boat is to install one of the reliable Rule bilge pump sensors that I could test easily with a bent coat hanger without becoming a pretzel to perform the test.

I don't mean to give the impression this is the way to do it. That would be presumptuous. I only want to share the idea that the combination of the scupper screens and the electronic sensors cost me some significant repairs when ordinary cleaning project flooded my bilge because neither the forward sensor, the aft sensor nor The mystery emergency sensor for the console flooding Alarm detected the water and turned on their respective pumps.

In addition to replacing the sensors, except for the one I can't find, I added three standalone water detectors available from Amazon for just two or three dollars each. They are not powered by the ships electricity and between the three of them, I feel at least one will sound if I have sensor or bilge pump failure again.

I appreciate the discussion and hope others benefit by having the incentive to test their bilge pumps. At very least they could put a few gallons of fresh water in the bilge and see if it gets pumped out.


Stuart Bell
Ranger 25: Shearwater
(561) 352-1796

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

All good information from Stuart , Mike and Barry.....whichever bilge pumps we have or change to the important thing is to remain diligent on making sure drains are unobstructed and pumps are operational. This is not something to overlook, much like checking engine oil levels, air in our trailer tires, etc., it should be done on a regular basis.

Jim F

 

[jagizzi]

We have a new R23 and I test the bilge pumps routinely prior to departure from the dock. I put a finger on each of the sensors and ensure that the bilge pump comes on.

Is the consensus of the group that this is not satisfactory for some reason or is it that on other boats the sensors are not easily accessible?

Jim

 

[captstu]

I can't reach my sensors. Jim, what you are doing is reasonable, happy sailing.


Stuart Bell
Ranger 25: Shearwater
(561) 352-1796

 

[knotflying]

I guess how nimble one is makes a difference. I am able to lay down on the cockpit floor on the starboard side and let my legs hang out the stern door. I can then reach down and get to the sensor. I contemplated replacing my sensor with the flapper type on the next failure and I think just the threat of doing that has kept it functional.

Stuart, the forward sensor for the high water alarm should be near the sensor for the forward bilge pump. You can hardly see it from the cockpit on my R-27. I actually think the 25 classics did not have one and some owners put them in after market. So wherever yours is you may want to try and contact the former owner. I would assume he would have put it in an easily accessible spot, but one never knows.