Bilge Pump Float Switch Wiring to Battery

[Ron Rill]

I have a 1988 Catalina 30, tall rig, wing keel. I can't believe it but my bilge pump is not wired directly to the battery. I must keep one of my batteries on inorder for my float switch to function. How do you wire a hot wire directly from the battery to the float switch? Wouldn't it be correct to pursue this type of wiring for the bilge pump? As it is now, I cannot leave my battery switch off when I leave the boat. Please advise. Thanks.

 

[Augie Byllott]

I have a '78 C30. The leads from the float switch are led directly to one of the two batteries and hooked up pos/pos, neg/neg. The pos lead has a spliced-in fuse holder loaded with a slow-blow fuse. The leads are secured so that the fuse holder doesn't dangle in bilge water. Whether the battery switch is set to 1, 2, or off, the float switch will be energized whenever the water level causes it to rise sufficiently. All bilge pumps may not use universal motors and the leads may not be marked pos and neg. After the hookup is complete, dump a bucket of water into the bilge to activate the switch. If the water is pumped out, the hookup is correct. If the pump runs but the water doesn't leave, reverse the leads at the battery. That should do it.