Electrical/bilge

[Sean]

I have a atuobilge with a float that has been working fine since I bought the boat. Today when I went out to the boat, the bilge was "stuck" on. I remove the bilge, messed with the float and it stayed on. So I fugured the bilge was @ the end of its life. Bought a new bilge, wired directly to the battery. 3 wires 1 to the positive, 1 to the negitive terminals and the third I do not hook to anything, as my orrginal was set up the same way.
What would all of a sudden change that would cause both the old and new auto bilge, to run, even when the float was down? The battery is new this year, and nothing else is acting funny?
Thanks in advance for you help ;D

[Hammerhead]

I've had a few Rule float switchs go bad. West Marine will replace them.
FTR..I have two bilge pumps. One auto, other manual.

[Sean]

One float going bad makes sense, but the Brand New one did the same thing,fresh out of the box ???

[tsubaki]

I apoligise for over simplifying this but recheck how you installed the new one. Normally you have "AUTO" and "MANUAL" wires to connect. *3 wires, 1 is ground,1 is manual and 1 runs thru the float (auto) to operate the pump.
As for this happening on two pumps, coincidence or a bad switch at the helm if wired correctly.
Give a little more info about what you got hooked up.
I generally donot use the manual portion and hook directly (fused) to the battery with the auto portion.
Oh some come with packing to keep the float from bouncing around and need to be removed prior to installation.

[macojoe]

T is right, Not that I am a expet ;) But I have both mine in the new boat on a on off on switch, if I leave one way it is manual, if I leave the other way it is auto middle is off.

Being a man and such I bet you did not read the instructions ;D

[Sean]

Instructions? That piece of paper with all the wrighting and pictures on it :P
Ya, I guess I will go down tomorrow @ lunch and look @ the pictures ;D Thanks ;D

[Sean]

I did wire directly to the battery, and I think I tried both the manual, and power wire? I so confused ::) ;D

[tsubaki]

Hell now a days they print the instructions in several languages and have pictures. ;D

[MIKETTURBO]

why would u want an off position, mine is in the manual or auto pos.only. no off pos.avail.