Adding Bilge Counter

[Frank H]

I'm going to add a bilge counter and would like to know if someone on the forum has added one and where did you pick up the direct battery voltage? Is there a fuse providing voltage to the bilge pump mounted somewhere that I could tap off 12 volts for the counter?
Thanks
Frank Hines
"No Tippy"

 

[WellerH]

I installed this one:
https://www.amazon.com/Bilge-Pump-C...1495070415&sr=8-1&keywords=bilge+pump+counter

I attached the hot side to the wire that activates the red light when the pump activates and attached the ground to the ground bar on the electric panel. Very easy installation. I'll add a photo and the wiring instructions here. Works great.

 

[Alan Gomes]

I went with this one and have been very happy with it: https://waterwitchinc.com/cycle-counters/

 

[Frank H]

I went with this one and have been very happy with it: https://waterwitchinc.com/cycle-counters/

Alan
I would like to know where you attached the plus + battery lead that goes directly to the battery. Did you connect at the panel battery switch + terminal for battery 1 or 2? I know the - lead goes to the ground bar, and the hot counter lead goes to the hot lead that turns the light on and the pump activates. It's the battery + lead on the counter that I'm wondering about.
Thanks
Frank

 

[Alan Gomes]

Alan
I would like to know where you attached the plus + battery lead that goes directly to the battery. Did you connect at the panel battery switch + terminal for battery 1 or 2? I know the - lead goes to the ground bar, and the hot counter lead goes to the hot lead that turns the light on and the pump activates. It's the battery + lead on the counter that I'm wondering about.
Thanks
Frank

See attached docs.

 

[Cat 310 #1 in GA]

I don't understand the need for this. Do you have a leak?
bob

 

[SG]

I don't understand the need for this. Do you have a leak?
bob

• If you have a leak and the bilge pump removes the water, you don't have a clew many times until its too late.
• The bilge pump goes out, the leak becomes worse and overcomes it, areas are mildewed because they are being douched by a leak, etc., etc.
• If the boat is used infrequently, this can be a bigger deal.
• Having a counter allows a sailor to get a feel for the number of cycles -- it doesn't show the volume, per se, but it gives you quick idea of what's been happening. Just periodically checking it each time you come aboard or when you're under way is a good practice to get into.

 

[Frank H]

See attached docs.

I have the docs you sent. They came with the counter. My question is on a 310, where do I connect the + terminal lead on the counter that is connected directly to a battery and doesn't go thru the battery select switch on the panel? I guess I could connect it to a battery terminal on the battery select switch.
P.S> For Bob. A boat at my marina took a lightening strike. It killed one battery and the fuel gauge and put a small hole in a through-hull. (Lightening is a strange thing) They only go to their boat on weekends. Before leaving their slip, they noticed a large number of bilge runs in a 24 hour period and in the week long period beyond the baseline numbers. They knew something additional was wrong due to the strike.
Frank

 

[marchem]

I have the docs you sent. They came with the counter. My question is on a 310, where do I connect the + terminal lead on the counter that is connected directly to a battery and doesn't go thru the battery select switch on the panel? I guess I could connect it to a battery terminal on the battery select switch.
P.S> For Bob. A boat at my marina took a lightening strike. It killed one battery and the fuel gauge and put a small hole in a through-hull. (Lightening is a strange thing) They only go to their boat on weekends. Before leaving their slip, they noticed a large number of bilge runs in a 24 hour period and in the week long period beyond the baseline numbers. They knew something additional was wrong due to the strike.
Frank

Frank, there should be a wire from either Batt1 or Batt2 on the battery switch to the breaker for the bilge pump on your electric panel. You could connect to the protected side of that-just be sure to leave the breaker on all the time.

 

[Parsons]

I don't understand the need for this. Do you have a leak?

Alternatively, you could replace the traditional shaft packing with a dripless one. I check to see if I have ANY water in the bilge each time I visit the boat. If it gets a paper towel wet, I'm searching for the problem. It is possible.

 

[KZW]

It must be nice to have a dry bilge all the time. I have a furling mainsail mast. Water enters the boat via the mast every time it rains. I filled the gap in the fuller as much as I could, but water still gets by the screw