Cutwater 28 Aft Bilge

[shieldsfx]

My aft bilge does not automatically remove water - I must manually operate the switch. Do you have instructions on how I should fix bilge and who is the manufacturer (I have 2013 model)?

 

[ronnieg]

Have you checked the float switch to make sure it is working. It may have a blown fuse which is located in the qtr berth close out below the battery switches/

 

[shieldsfx]

Ronnie,

I did find that the fuse was blown. The replacement blew out shortly after. I replaced with another fuse which seem to work, but the automatic sensor remained on (now we know why the fuse was blown). I believe the Cutwater 28 has Johnson Bilge? do you have the model and specifications of the AFT bilge so I can troubleshoot further?

 

[shieldsfx]

Update: took a hose directly to the bilge to thoroughly clean it. Drove out a few "hairballs" and now auto float switch works like a charm. Realized I need To hose out bilge area more regularly. Also determined C-28 has Johnson 750 gpm bilge. Nice thing is you can do an in-line replacement up to 1000 gpm.

 

[knotflying]

Those sensors are a maintenance pain. You have to make sure you clean then regularly so no greasy film develops on the face. They are made to not go on if oil is present in the bilge. when the film develops they think there is oil present. Also it is good practice to remove the pump cartridge itself as hair and fuzz can get caught around the small impeller and make pumping ineffective and hence the pump continues to pump without removing water.

 

[shieldsfx]

Update: Switch stopped running again and the fuse blew out, again. I decided to swap out both, the pump and the switch, and upgraded the pump from the standard 750 to a 1000 GPH. New equipment works reliably... Anyway, as seen above, you really do need to clean these bilges out regularly...