Bilge Pump

[Stevelynn]

2018 RT 31cb. Is there anyway to test if your auto bilge is working? Thanks

 

[Bruce Moore]

Pour a bucket of water in the bilge.

Cheers,

Bruce

 

[Rocky Lou]

They cycle on every short while, about 90 seconds, and you’ll hear it go on. In my boat I just kneel down when the bilge is open.

 

[Capt’nKarl]

I’m lazy. I just watch the helm panel switch for the red light to come on. If the bilge pump is functioning the helm light will come on briefly every 90-120 secs. This confirms the pump is functional.

 

[knotflying]

There are two circuits for the bilge pump. The manual is at the breaker panel. Turn it on and the pump should go on. If not, it is the pump. Putting water in the bilge high enough will run the pump on automatic. If it checked out okay on manual and does nor work with water in the bilge, check the fuse for the automatic. If the fuse is good then it is most likely the sensor.

 

[SJI Sailor]

Knotflying is right to check out both sides. Over the winter we had both pumps fail -- on one of them, the automatic would work but not the manual, and on the other only the manual side worked. Not a fuse or switch; replacing both pumps fixed them.

Between the two models I worry most about automatic, because that's the first line of defense. And good to check it as Bruce noted, with a bucket of water! (Don't know an easy way to check the forward one for automatic ...)

 

[Submariner]

Between the two models I worry most about automatic, because that's the first line of defense. And good to check it as Bruce noted, with a bucket of water! (Don't know an easy way to check the forward one for automatic ...)

Use a 1 gallon zip lock bag full of water. Stick the fwd bilge pump in it and wait to see if it automatically turns on.

This is also how I winterize my boat if it were out of the water. (I fill the 1 gallon zip lock bag full of RV antifreeze and let it pump until I see pink go overboard).

 

[SJI Sailor]

Thanks, Submariner! On the C30, the forward pump is so far down that it is impossible for me to reach -- and even a longer-armed mechanic could not reach the base when he has to swap the pump. So that's why it's difficult. However your idea inspires me: maybe cut out a 1 gallon bottle to fit over it, and then fill that quickly from above with water.

Related point I've made in another thread: if your pumps are difficult to reach, consider buying a couple of exact replacement pumps before you need them. The one we have on 2019 C30 has been discontinued! Due to the location, fitting a different base into that space would be tough. Get the installed model while supplies last, for easiest replacement.

 

[CLF]

For the second year in a row, the black box with the float switch has come unfastened and it floats in the bilge. It's supposed to snap back on at the bottom, but neither a technician nor I can get it to stay in place after hitting a few swells.

Anyone have a good fix? I'm about to go with zip ties.....

 

[GaylesFaerie]

+1 for zip ties.