We have a person 30 and all of a sudden the electric bilge pump doesnt work when we turn on switch (yes, I did turn on battery). Any thoughts as to how we can diagnose?
bilge pump doesnt work
- Thread starter blackhole 100
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Did you test it just with the panel switch? There should be two sources of power, one through the panel and another directly to the battery(thru a fuse). Did you lift the float switch to see if works from there? Or maybe that is the test you are writing about.
From the panel it could be a breaker. From the float switch a fuse.
From the panel it could be a breaker. From the float switch a fuse.
After you check out the power situation, I would suggest that you purchase another bilge pump (hopefully same make/model) and try it out. If it works the old one was junk (most of them are). If not you now have a spare.
Most of the bilge pumps and float switches are not worth the money that we pay for them. When I replace my float switch in the bilge it will probably be a WEMA.
Most of the bilge pumps and float switches are not worth the money that we pay for them. When I replace my float switch in the bilge it will probably be a WEMA.
It all depends on how it's wired.
I use that phrase a lot.
You need to trace the wiring and find out how it works.
There are so many variations on the theme:
direct wired to battery, direct wired to battery with a separate switch for manual, off automatic operation, panel mounted switch, which could maybe require the main panel switch to be on, or off, you name it.
Unless YOU know how it's wired, there's not much we can do to help you.
When electrical stuff doesn't work, it's usually one of just a few things: connections, connections, connections, broken wire, or blown fuse. Rarely is it the switch, but that could be it, too.
Much of the bilge pump wiring is in the corrosive atmosphere of the bilge. I have completely rewired our bilge pump three times in the last 13 years. Two or three new pumps and a few new float switches, too.
I use that phrase a lot.
You need to trace the wiring and find out how it works.
There are so many variations on the theme:
direct wired to battery, direct wired to battery with a separate switch for manual, off automatic operation, panel mounted switch, which could maybe require the main panel switch to be on, or off, you name it.
Unless YOU know how it's wired, there's not much we can do to help you.
When electrical stuff doesn't work, it's usually one of just a few things: connections, connections, connections, broken wire, or blown fuse. Rarely is it the switch, but that could be it, too.
Much of the bilge pump wiring is in the corrosive atmosphere of the bilge. I have completely rewired our bilge pump three times in the last 13 years. Two or three new pumps and a few new float switches, too.
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