R23 Shower Bildge

[Yo Yo]

Have not been on the boat in several days. Yesterday got home walked out to check on her and I heard a strange buzzing noise. Got in side, and found the shower bilge pump was just constantly running. We have never used the shower yet and there was NO water in the bilge container. I pulled the fuse to get it stop running. I replaced fuse added water to see if it would pump water,,,,,and nothing. Any ideas?

 

[Admiral S]

I have the same issue on our 2017 R-27 Classic. I installed a button similar to the electric head flush to just engage the pump when the shower pan starts to fill. The automatic switch used is wildly unreliable and not worth the time to mess with it.

Generally a whack of the white automatic switch with the handle of a screwdriver will knock it off for a while. But it will always come back on.

 

[Yo Yo]

I was thinking of replacing the strange float switch with an actual float switch????? Any suggestions

 

[knotflying]

I did the same as Admiral S, Installed a spring loaded rocker switch that stays off unless pushed. I suspect that towing the boat has an effect on the float switch (bouncing up and down maybe) and it eventually malfunctions. I have been on many a sailboat that uses a manual switch to drain the shower. I don't see what the Ranger application should be any different.

 

[HappyPlace]

Just as a heads up......our air conditioning condensation line empties into the shower sump on our R31. So if yours does the same and you turn it off while the ac is running, the sump container may fill and overflow into the bilge.

Al Sr.

 

[rheimb1]

My aft bilge, R-25 (not sure if that is the one you are talking about) had the same problem when new. In fact it happened a couple of times. The first time, Kenny told me that there is a lever to turn on the top of the bilge and then lift it out and put it back in and that would clear the debris. He said that there is a lot of stuff from manufacturing that gets down in there and it slowly works it way to the back. And that took care of it for about a week. The second time was right after that when I had the engine serviced. Again Kenny said that there was most likely oil down there from the service. Sure enough there was and it was slimy. While the boat was on the trailer I hosed the entire engine compartment down and pumped it over then I used rags to sop up the rest. It surprised me how much stuff was down there yet besides the oil. That’s been two years and have never had problem with it since. So you might check those issues too.

 

[baz]

rheimb1:

I completely agree about the crud/debris that can be left in a new boat from the factory assembly activities. My new 2018 R-27/OB was no exception and the fine debris particles were clearly seen laying in the aft bilge. This debris has been soaked up and removed to avoid clogging issues with the bilge pump's filter. Given the boat is brand new I will be keeping an eye on this issue over the next few months as I'm sure more debris will eventually move aft and reveal itself. 🙂 😉