Blue Sea Systems Contura Bilge Switch replacement

[glider4]

On our last cruise somehow our Contura Aft Bilge switch at the helm was bumped to the ON position. The bilge pump ram dry for almost an hour before it was discovered. Surprisingly there was no apparent damage to the bilge pump from running dry for that long.
I don’t want this to happen again!
Has anyone replaced the Blue Sea Systems Contura bilge switch(es) with a Blue Sea Systems Contura III Rocker Switch Momentary On SPDT (Blue Sea #8285) switch? This way the bilge switches only stay on if you are actively pressing them. With a momentary switch it can’t be accidentally bumped on and stay on.

 

[Full_O_Fish]

If you happen to have a sustained leak and don't want to rely on the float switch or want to wait for it to get that high then the momentary switch can be a bit of a pain attempting to keep it held on for long periods of time.

You may want to consider just replacing the switch with one of these...
https://spemco.com/v1d2hw6b-ade00-000-l ... mber-lens/

It's the same switch except it has a locking tab to keep it in the off position. Push the locking tab up while pushing in to turn the switch on and the switch will stay in the on position till it is turned off. These are commonly used on engine hatches for companies like Tiara, Riviera, Whaler, etc for that exact purpose, to prevent accidental activation of the switch.

 

[scross]

Full O Fish,
That’s an even better solution! Thanks!

 

[Full_O_Fish]

Anytime

 

[watson1987]

There is also the following switch which is locked on and uses the same style slider to turn it off

Carling Illuminated (Green) Locking Rocker Switch ON/OFF SPST 12vdc 20A

https://www.ebay.com/itm/202760399495

I accidentally purchased the lock on and not lock off one when replacing the switch in my cockpit that controls the underwater lights, it was always getting knocked on by people and dogs. Sadly the lock on one is nicer looking without the hot orange slider.