What is this part???
 

Can someone tell me what this part is? (see attachment) IT is located in the bulge area.

Looks like a high water alarm that somebody installed.

thanks
 

That is what I am thinking. Do you think this goes to the horn for the alarm part?

It's an electronic float switch. When water reaches the two prongs it completes a circuit (just like a mechanical float switch) and turns your bilge pump on. It should be installed vertically, with the prongs facing down and the tips set at the height that you want your bilge pump to turn on. I have one just like it in my boat. Given it's present condition, I would test it first before I mounted it and relied on it. I like mine, simply because there's nothing to foul or jamb like a mechanical switch can. They are a sealed unit, so as long as the prongs are not corroded yours should be okay, but test it just to be safe :head:.

they used to sell something like that where my wife works(wholesale marine parts supplier). One doay they got notified to remove all of them from inventory and to not sell any more. I never did hear what the story was

Hmmm... that explains something I was wondering about. I got mine a while back....several boats ago. Put it away and "lost" it in the clutter known as my garage. Found it just about the time when I got my V21. Thought I'd like to have one in the 20 and 21, so went online to buy one... and couldn't find them.

Only thing I can think of is if the probes corrode the unit might not sense the presence of water and turn the bilge pump on. And in an emergency that could just ruin your day. With a mechanical switch, everything is sealed so water corrosion isn't a factor... (which we all know isn't true, but that's what they would like us to believe).

All that being said, I still like mine and will continue to use it. (Although I think I might wire in a mechanical switch in a high water position as a safety)

I'm thinkin' that if by chance you had a bilge with some fuel in it you wouldn't want to also have current running through the bilge water to complete a circuit.

Not to mention having grounding/bonding straps through the bilge with one of those hooked up.