Adding automatic bilge pump float switch

[Vegas]

I'm surprised my 1992 38s5 does not seem to have an automatic bilge pump. A switch has to be manually turned on/off at the electrical panel.

I'm thinking if I add a bilge float switch in the bilge, I only have to run the wiring from the float switch to the electrical panel at the nav station, rather than all the way back under my aft cabin bed where the bilge pump and bilge-line filters are located. I would then have to leave the bilge pump switch "on" at the electrical panel when I'm away from the boat, and the float switch would complete the circuit when it senses water at a certain level in the bilge. I would also have to leave one battery switch "on", and the d.c. master switch "on".

Am I thinking thru this accurately?

Anyone tried that? Any advice?

 

[cymeyer]

We have a B321 in Grosse Pointe. We have this auto float wired so I do not have to have the bilge switch on. This is hot all the time. It was done when we bought the boat new. Easier than trying to leave the switch on. We have to leave one battery on of course

 

[Ron20324]

As you stated, you would "have to leave the bilge pump switch on", have to "leave one battery switch on", and "the DC master switch on". These are too many possible ways to not have a reliable power circuit. Remember- you're talking about whether your boat sinks or floats here. It is prefered to run a wire straight off the battery (with a fuse close to the battery), and go straight to the float switch or connect to the "on" terminal /wire of the present switch. This way you needn't be concerned with what you leave on- or off. You could still manually turn on the pump, though. When you wire to the battery, use the same one that feeds your present pump panel switch.