I have a 1976 Venture and the bilge pump needs to be replaced with a automatic one. Has anyone done this?
Automatic bilge pump
- Thread starter goetz305
- Start date
Turn the breaker switch off or remove the negative lead from the battery(s). In order to replace the bilge pump you need to identify the two wires leading up to it, positive(+) and negative (-) and cut them above water level. Remove the pump from its mount. The new pump will have 3 wires but you are only going to use 2. Once again identify the (+) and (-) from the manufacturers instructions. Proceed to mount the new pump on its base. Splice with a connector the corresponding wires positive to positive and negative to negative. (use waterproof connectors) Turn the breaker on or connect the battery lead back. Pour some water on the bilge and if it is pumping out water you are done, but if it is pumping it in then just reverse the wires. Back in 1976 if a manufacturer installed a bilge pump it was probably wired for manual operation with a panel mounted switch. Through the years it could be possible for a prior owner to hardwire the connections directly to the batteries with the installation of a float switch. Either way you are going to have power coming through those two wires. It would be good for you to identify and trace the circuit that operates the bilge the pump and to make sure it is properly fused. There is also an installation using the 3rd wire to a remote manual switch. If interested in such a feature follow the manufacturers instructions. Do not ever rely on a bilge pump to keep your boat afloat. These small bilge pumps are not a safety item but a mere convenience item to help discharge incidental water that collects in the bilge. Bilge pumps are bench rated with no loads. A 500 GPH pump may at best deliver 150 GPH in a boat installation. They will be unable to keep up with any significant water intrusion. For safety, take care of any leaks and inspect frequently your hoses clamps and thru hull valves and fittings. Have not understood why people figure that the larger the boat the bigger they need a bilge pump when the smaller boats will fill up faster.
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Thanks you guys for the details info. I have a panel that was rewired at one point. If I turn the bilge switch on I hear a loud noise in the area behind the cable crank and I have not been able to see in there. It seems that it may be a manual bilge. In the recess near the table going forward where water collects there is a small white bilge pump that I could turn on by turning a switch on it. It made a noise an seemed to move the water around but I was not sure and I used a sponge to dry it out (took about 45 minutes the spill was from a leaking cooler in the back storage area).
I have the boat at a dock about 200 miles away and I am a bit worried about if I have a leak or not. The fact that the small pump turned itself off makes me think that it is and automatic pump that is not connected to the one on the panel. It also seems to be on whether or not I have the main power switch on. I will be going out there next week to have a closer look. I guess it is possible that I have both a manual and a automatic pump but I am not sure they are working correctly. I will try the water method you mentioned but maybe I should buy a new automatic one to take out there with me an upgrade it. Do you have any suggestions on what to buy and where?
I have the boat at a dock about 200 miles away and I am a bit worried about if I have a leak or not. The fact that the small pump turned itself off makes me think that it is and automatic pump that is not connected to the one on the panel. It also seems to be on whether or not I have the main power switch on. I will be going out there next week to have a closer look. I guess it is possible that I have both a manual and a automatic pump but I am not sure they are working correctly. I will try the water method you mentioned but maybe I should buy a new automatic one to take out there with me an upgrade it. Do you have any suggestions on what to buy and where?
When you say the pump made noise and moved water around, but it took 45 mins with a sponge to dry the bilge; it's a bit confusing. Was there any water discharging overboard? Is the pump inlet clogged with debris? Is the discharge hose connected to the pump, or is it discharging back into the bilge?
I put a Rule 1100 automatic in my Mac 26M. It moves a good bit of water, which is what I wanted.
Read @Benny17441 's post carefully regarding pump capacity ratings. Very good info.
After you have installed or repaired your pumps, test them at least twice to verify you don't have a trap/airlock in your discharge hose.
I put a Rule 1100 automatic in my Mac 26M. It moves a good bit of water, which is what I wanted.
Read @Benny17441 's post carefully regarding pump capacity ratings. Very good info.
After you have installed or repaired your pumps, test them at least twice to verify you don't have a trap/airlock in your discharge hose.