Bilge Pump Switch

[Rick Webb]

This may turn into a North or Course Up, or thru hulls open or closed discussion but here it goes.

I was on a boat this weekend and the bilge pump switch had three positions Auto On, Off, and On. All of the other bilge pump switches I could remember seeing were Auto On, Off, and Momentary On.

The momentary switch seems like a better way to go no way to burn up the bilge pump or run down the battery by the switch accidentally being turned on or inadvertently leaving it on. The one advantage to a switch that stays on is if short crewed, there is not a finger to man the switch and the float switch fails to work.

Thoughts? Assertions?

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

What’s the difference between “auto on” and ”on”?

 

[fred1diver]

Auto on is via the float switch and on is by the owners decision

 

[Scott T-Bird]

Having to sit there holding the switch on is a nuisance. Why is "on" a problem?

 

[FastOlson]

Holding little spring loaded switch momentarily to the "on" position to check the operation of the pump is very useful to me, and I imagine that's why this function is incorporated into these switches.

 

[Allan12210]

I had the Auto On, Off and Momentarily On in the head where it controlled the shower sump pump. In the salon on my DC panel the bilge pump switch (not a breaker) had On and Off positions. The float handled the automatic function even if the switch was Off via a separate wire directly to the House Bank. The manual override was convenient but I had to remember to turn it back off. At least there was a red light that came on next to it and I could usually hear the pump running. The DC main killed it when off.

 

[dLj]

Seems to me to be a matter of personal preference. The norm is to have on, off, and auto. To add in a momentary on seems up to the boat owner. I actually have two on switches - one where the three way switch has the on-off-auto and another manual on at my panel. I don't feel any need for a momentary on switch but that's just me...

Just thinking, I haven't actually tried to run that panel on switch with the three way set to off - I'll have to check that... Hmmm, another boat job ..

dj

 

[danm1]

Just installed a new bilge pump without even thinking about this. Mine is direct wired for the float switch and momentary on from the panel. I can see where an on at the panel would be good in an emergency....on the other hand I replaced my pump because the float failed on. Go figure. Boats. Aargh.

 

[capta]

I think the momentary on is the preferred method. It is more a feature to override the float switch, not pump out the boat. As mentioned above, that is a safety feature to prevent accidentally burning up the pump motor. I suppose one could add a siren or horn as a reminder that the pump was switched on.
If one needs the manual on, then there is a problem with the float switch which must be addressed immediately, anyway In that case, while repairing the problem one should be able to override at the float switch while working down there.
*note; On boats with deep bilges, I mount all my bilge pumps and switches on a plate I can bring up to my level to work on, so the fixed on switch isn't of any help, anyway.

 

[UpperPintle]

Perhaps larger concern is the "off" position. You must develop habit to always turn back to Auto position after in the Off position; otherwise, pump will not turn on automatically. I have a "Depart the Boat" checklist that I review every time I leave the boat. Yes, I have inadvertently left pump in Off and left the boat. Couldn't sleep, took midnight drive back to boat to flip to Auto. I've also driven back to boat because I didn't remember if I had left it in Off. That's why I now have a checklist. Not good if long drive-time back to boat to flip the switch. I wired my pumps (on)-off-on with an green LED when in auto position and red led when pump is running (either in Auto or On). Quick glance tells me if in auto position (green led on) or not. Also, quick glance tells me if pump is running (red LED). The alarm is for the 'high water' pump, which is about6 or 8" higher than the pump at the bottom of the bilge. "Off" comes in handy when pulling the pumps to clean/maintain or when I am running fuel polishing (If polishing hoses leak, won't automatically pump diesel overboard. BUT... it is risky if you are not disciplined.

 

[Rick Webb]

The last several I have installed I connect the Auto wire to the battery switch and installed the Manual wire to a momentary switch at the helm.

These have been on coach boats for our youth sailing program I cannot think of a situation where we could want the battery switch on and not want the bilge pump ready to go if needed.