Bilge Pump Hard-Wired to Battery?

#1 06-19-2010, 04:32 PM

Hey guys-

I recently bought a 2004 V21- my first boat. The boat is wet slipped and stays in the water all the time.

The previous owner said that the bilge pump was hard-wired to the batteries (it's got 2) and the float switch would kick on when water accumulated in the bilge. Sounds like a good idea- I shouldn't have to worry about accidentally draining the battery by leaving the courtesy light on or something. The owner's manual confirms that the bilge pump is hard-wired to the batteries.

BUT- I was mucking around in the bilge this afternoon and lifted the float switch to make sure the pump would come on. It didn't. When I switched the battery from OFF to 1, 2, or Both and lifted the float switch, it purrs to life.

Any thoughts? Should I be leaving the battery switch on?

Nate

HookedOnMarsh · #2 06-19-2010, 04:44 PM

I would leave the battery switch on to ease my mind until I could go through the wiring and confirm that's the way it's wired. Sounds like it got wired wrong.

macojoe · #3 06-19-2010, 09:20 PM

I have both on mine, I hard wire the float to the battery, and manual to a on/off switch, this way I can turn on when i want and its on all the time for the float.
You need to wire right to the battery to get around the sector switch from cutting the power.

Seacrets · #4 06-19-2010, 09:24 PM

What MJ says.

#5 06-20-2010, 09:30 AM

I hear ya. But for arguments sake, let's say that it already is hard-wired to the battery. What would cause the bilge not to run when the battery is set to OFF.

Was working fine last week..

HookedOnMarsh · #6 06-20-2010, 11:07 AM

Is it possible that the switch on your dash for the bilge is set to ON and the only reason you hear the pump run is when you cut the Battery switch ON? This would mean the float is bad. Good time to check your wiring down in the bilge too. Seen too many of my buddies' boats have deterioted wiring so bad it's a wonder it works. I have found that after the copper wire degrades to a green goo, it will still conduct for little while, then POOF!

bradford · #7 06-21-2010, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biscayn8

I hear ya. But for arguments sake, let's say that it already is hard-wired to the battery. What would cause the bilge not to run when the battery is set to OFF.

Was working fine last week..

Sounds to me like it's NOT hard wired to the battery, but wired in after the off 1 2 both switch. Wire the float switch directly to the battery and you should be good to go with the both 1 2 off switch turned off.