Seawater pump left on

[JamesC28]

Looking for advise - apparently last night when we got off our C28, we hit the sea water deck wash pump. It ran all night and was pumping water into the bilge. This afternoon our water alarm went off. I checked the security camera and asked someone at the marina to check on the boat, and all seemed fine. We went to check on her this evening and discovered that the sea water pump was left on. We haven’t used this yet and don’t anticipate using it, so I removed the fuse so we couldn’t do that again. The bulge pump kept up, the water alarm went off, the boat was fine, so all is good. Has anyone else had this happen?

 

[CaspersCruiser]

I have accidentally bumped the switch on my R27, but the output spigot is capped so no water can be pumped out. On my boat, there is a fuse adjacent to the switch. I remove it when I want to assure the pump will not operate.

 

[dpiano]

we have had this happen, and also removed the fuse permanently. Another issue is that the washdown pump is plumbed directly from the raw water thru-hull. One time I left the raw water valve open and the washdown pump cracked. Came back to the boat to find the bilge pump working steady. I installed a drainable shutoff valve on the washdown line (and also never leave the thru-hull valve open when not on board). We never use that pump anyway. Seems like it should been installed near the anchor where it would be more useful.

 

[JamesC28]

I too have removed the fuse. Love the idea of the seawater wash down up by the anchor.

 

[knotflying]

I cut a large plastic washer so it is like a "U". I then drilled a small hole on the top and tied Mono fishing line to it and a screw so it won't get lost. I slip it behind the switch when not in use. This prevents it from accidentally getting hit and turned on. I also keep it capped if no hose is attached. Did the same for the cockpit light switch.

 

[nzfisher]

Replaced the switch with an illuminated toggle. Eventually the wiring behind it corroded and failed. Yes, the old style was bumped and left on more than once.

 

[Red Raven]

Similar to knotflying I made “keys” that must be removed to activate the switches for both the washdown and courtesy light switches. Our pump switch has a light but it can’t be seen readily because of where the switch is. To offset this I set the key plain sight where I can’t miss it when the switch is on to remind me to shut it off. I also keep the hose bib capped when not in use.

I also plumbed the washdown water up to the anchor locker where I have included a coil hose and trigger nozzle to wash down the anchor. Best modification I ever did!

Curt

 

[Toucan]

I mounted a plate with a finger hole in the middle over the rocker switch with standoff posts. I no longer have to worry about bumping the switch on accidentally.

Barry Thompson
TOUCAN, R-27 Classic

 

[CAPTCRUNCH]

I don't think this could happen on my 2013 R27 the way the washdown pump is wired/plumbed (by the factory) and tended (by me). First, there is always a cap or a "nozzled" hose attached to the cockpit outlet, which also has an on-off ball valve built into it. Second, the pump is controlled by an integral pressure switch, so no demand means no run. Third, I always close seacocks and turn off battery switches if I will be off the boat for more than an hour. Am I missing something I should know about?

 

[Red Raven]

Captcrunch,

The first and second mitigations you mention don’t help if there is a leak anywhere past the pump. (e.g., a fitting comes loose). I especially don’t trust garden hose fittings from leaking. The third (closing the seacock) is the best mitigation as it protects against leaks even prior to all the connected pumps. Unfortunately, I have been known to forget this one now and then! Also it doesn’t protect the washdown pump which would likely burnout with no water input. The switch key is just one more “belt and suspenders” mitigation to minimize the remaining risk.

Curt