Johnson Ultima bilge pump sensor

[jaredjensen]

I've been troubleshooting an intermittent aft bilge pump problem where the inline fuse would randomly be blown when I get to the boat. I think I just narrowed it down to a flooded Ultima switch, and the internet tells me these switches were redesigned at some point and flooding became more common.

Is it better to use one of the other two Johnson switches, use the Ultima and maybe add some RTV around the wire gland, or swap the whole thing out with a different type of pump?

I think I've seen this discussed here before, but I can't seem to find the relevant posts now, so I apologize if this is well-covered territory. Thanks!

 

[Automaticman865]

had an issue where I was also getting the blown fuses. Ended up being the the pump was getting old and it was sending spikes every time it started. The motor never failed. So we replaced the pump. Although now there are times the pump will get switched on if the switch surface is not kept clean, (bilge sludge) I have not lost any fuses since replacing the pump. The pump just gets noisy sending the spike but it continues to work sending you to look elsewhere.
Boat was 2012 and pump replaced last year.

Stuart

 

[jaredjensen]

Ours is a 2012, also, but no idea if the PO replaced any pumps or sensors. The switch feels like it's about half full of water, so that's at least part of the problem. My plan is to replace the switch and add some RTV surrounded by heat shrink where the cables enter the switch as extra sealing protection. I'll replace the motor cartridge next if that doesn't work. I'm putting Weather Pack connectors on both so I can keep quick-swap switch and motor in the spares kit.