Rule automatic bilge pump question

[ShawnI]

Owner of a 2019 C28, which I haven’t used often due to winter season. Noticed recently that aft bilge had accumulated water and bilge pump (Rule automatic) was submerged. Pump didn’t cycle every few minutes like forward bilge pump and also didn’t function by the manual switch. Replaced the fuse and also tried to clear the pump impeller. Still didn’t work.

Considering how challenging it is for everyone right now, I just ordered a replacement on Amazon and installed it. The new pump runs continuously when its fuse is in the fuse block. When the fuse is removed, the pump can be switched on/off from the dash console. The pump is wired red (boat)-brown (pump), brown (boat)-white stripe (pump), yellow-black.

I must have done something wrong with the install, but I can’t figure it out. Any ideas are appreciated.

Shawn

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

Shawn: I do not know if this will help or not but it’s a simple check/fix to try. On the discharge hose on the bilge pump there should be a check valve, mine is about 18” up from the pump. Take this apart to see if it may be clogged therefore hampering the pumps function. Whatever you find to be the problem please let us all know so we all learn.

Jim

 

[BB marine]

Red/brown manual switch from helm---------- go to pump Brown/white
Brown/red auto switch from thruster fuse panel (hot all the time)------- go to pump brown
yellow (boat ground -battery negative ) -------------go to pump pump black

This is based on the wiring in a C26/C28
if you installed https://www.xylem.com/siteassets/brand/ ... ingual.pdf

Without seeing which pump you installed I'm guessing this is the pump.

 

[ShawnI]

Brian/Jim,
Thanks very much for the replies.

I haven't opened the check valve, but can take a look at it next. I did notice during pump replacement that there is some back-flow down into the bilge from the valve through the tubing when I shut off the pump. However, at this point, I have a completely dry bilge.

Re: wiring, I have the following

Boat Wire -to- Pump Wire
Red (marked "float") -to- Brown
Brown (marked ("switch") -to- Brown w/ white stripe
Yellow -to- Black

Red wire is connected through fuse block to 7.5 amp fuse. When fuse is in block, pump runs continuously. When fuse is removed, pump can be operated normally by helm switch. I have traced and rewired twice, but again, must be missing something.

The original pump looked like a Rule 27DA (https://www.westmarine.com/buy/rule-ind ... cordNum=13), which I replaced with a 27SA, which has a slightly larger diameter output.

 

[Kevin Lamont]

Owner of a 2019 C28, which I haven’t used often due to winter season. Noticed recently that aft bilge had accumulated water and bilge pump (Rule automatic) was submerged. Pump didn’t cycle every few minutes like forward bilge pump and also didn’t function by the manual switch. Replaced the fuse and also tried to clear the pump impeller. Still didn’t work.

Considering how challenging it is for everyone right now, I just ordered a replacement on Amazon and installed it. The new pump runs continuously when its fuse is in the fuse block. When the fuse is removed, the pump can be switched on/off from the dash console. The pump is wired red (boat)-brown (pump), brown (boat)-white stripe (pump), yellow-black.

I must have done something wrong with the install, but I can’t figure it out. Any ideas are appreciated.

Shawn

Hi Shawn,

What does it do when it is out of the bilge? Does it run as soon as the wires are connected? Or does it keep running once it starts? Let me know when you can.

Thanks,
Kevin Lamont

 

[BB marine]

Red wire with a brown stripe is the switch( Boat fuse located in fuse panel in head) goes to Brown wire with white stripe (pump manual over ride)
Brown wire with a red stripe (boat fuse located in the small panel going into the mid cabin) goes to brown wire (automatic pump)
yellow wire (boat) goes to black wire (pump)
(This is exactly how my boat is wired and it agrees with the C26/C28 manual)

How Fully Automatic Bilge Pumps Work:
Rule Automatic bilge pumps eliminate the need for a separate float switch to activate the pump. Once power is supplied, starting and stopping is completely automatic. The pump checks for water every 2 1⁄2 minutes by turning on for a second and measuring load against the impeller. If water is present, the pump remains on until the water is removed. Thereafter the pump resumes its 2 1⁄2 minute check cycle. The automatic pumps feature two positive leads: an automatic (brown) and a manual override (brown with a white stripe).

download/file.php?id=245

download/file.php?id=247

I hope this helps. Good luck, hopefully Kevin can figure it out.

 

[Florida_Cruiser]

Shawn,

I own a 2019 RT29-CB that I purchased used early this year. My bilge pumps are the same Rule 1100 pump shown in the web link you provided. After using the vessel for a short period of time I noticed that my aft bilge did not come on automatically. It worked fine in the manual mode, but not in the auto mode even when I covered it in fresh water while cleaning the bilge. I worked the issue backwards to find that someone pulled the fuse that allows power to auto function of the pump and left it out. When I replaced the fuse it ran nonstop after draining the bilge. Next I checked the wiring configuration and found it to be correct per Rule’s instruction. Thinking that perhaps the pump sensors were dirty, like my shower sump was, I removed the pump and cleaned it thoroughly. This still did not solve the issue. Finally I decided to pick up a new one at West Marine. Installed it per the same wiring configuration as before and now all is fine. It looks like something in the pump failed. They (Rule) offer a three year for the pump so you could return it and perhaps they will send you a new spare.

 

[ShawnI]

Owner of a 2019 C28, which I haven’t used often due to winter season. Noticed recently that aft bilge had accumulated water and bilge pump (Rule automatic) was submerged. Pump didn’t cycle every few minutes like forward bilge pump and also didn’t function by the manual switch. Replaced the fuse and also tried to clear the pump impeller. Still didn’t work.

Considering how challenging it is for everyone right now, I just ordered a replacement on Amazon and installed it. The new pump runs continuously when its fuse is in the fuse block. When the fuse is removed, the pump can be switched on/off from the dash console. The pump is wired red (boat)-brown (pump), brown (boat)-white stripe (pump), yellow-black.

I must have done something wrong with the install, but I can’t figure it out. Any ideas are appreciated.

Shawn

Hi Shawn,

What does it do when it is out of the bilge? Does it run as soon as the wires are connected? Or does it keep running once it starts? Let me know when you can.

Thanks,
Kevin Lamont

Thanks Kevin. It runs constantly as soon as the wires are connected, just in my hand.