How best to change from Shore power to Ship Power

[Mike M.]

I am a new Beneteau owner. I happened to notice on one occasion that my bilge pump wasn't working and that water was standing in my galley while at sea. I want to know whether this is due to not switching from shore power to ship power. Or whether I have another problem all together.

 

[sail sfbay]

Bilge pump operates off the dc system, independent of shore power. I would check the bilge pump electrical circuit from the dc electrical panel to confirm it has conductivity. If the circuit does, but pump is not functional, it is time to replace the bilge pump.

 

[Davidasailor26]

Congratulations on being a new Beneteau owner. We all did start learning somewhere so don’t be afraid to ask questions to learn more. There are also many good resources for learning boat electrical and mechanical systems, like Nigel Calder’s books and Maine Sail’s marinehowto.com website.

There really isn’t a notion of switching from shore power to ship power. Most boat systems (with the possible exception of some refrigerators) run off DC (from the boat batteries), while some (e.g. air conditioners, water heaters) run off AC (from shore power). The place where they meet is the battery charger, which uses AC to keep the batteries full and ready to service the DC loads. I presume that when you see the water in the galley other DC systems like all of your electronics are still working? If so there is some other failure preventing the pump from running. Either the pump has failed or it’s not getting power. You’ll need to get a volt meter and test for power at the pump, then try to follow along to other switches or junctions and see if the power stops somewhere along the way.

 

[BigEasy]

Mike,
As SFBay & David advised, your are going to have to trace and check the bilge pump DC circuit from the DC circuit breaker panel to bilge pump. Be aware that Beneteau used a float switch (plastic flapper) in the bilge to actuate the bilge pump when the water level reaches a given level in the bilge, so you’re going to have to check if you have power at the switch and thru the switch when it is activated. The switch can malfunction and you can also develop corrosion at the wiring connection. Then check the actual bilge pump. Beneteau used Whale bilge pumps that are not located in the bilge. The pump is usually located under a cabinet or behind a setee cushion. (don’t confuse the fresh water system pump for the bilge pump because they do look similar). Check for power at the pump when the bilge pump float switch is actuated. There should be another circuit with a 12V breaker on the breaker panel that powers up the pump independently of of the float switch, check that circuit also. Finally, if the bilge pump is running, but not pumping there could be debris clogging the intake hose in the bilge or the pump impeller may be inoperable and the impeller may need replacement. If the pump does not run, and there is power at the pump, time to replace the pump. If this is beyond your present skill set, call a professional to trouble shoot & repair; however, do watch, question, & learn how to handle this common problem. And, congratulations on your purchasing & becoming familiar with your new boat.

 

[Justin_NSA]

The comments seem harsh but consider that you could be putting yourself and crew in a life threatening situation.

 

[jssailem]

Hello Mike.
You were a "New boat Owner" in August 2020 with "20 years experience sailing on other persons boats".

During that sailing experience did you never explore how they kept the boat floating and water out of the bilge?

With your priorities expressed here,

1. Door Latch on Freezer
2. PWC Dock
3. Clogged Shower Drain
4. Freezer Door lid not closing
5. and now confusion about Ship vs Shore power and Bilge water.

It sounds like you are living aboard a beautiful boat perhaps for the first time and have not in the past 2 year spent much of your time examining your home and understanding how it works. Frankly the thought of you moving the boat to "ship power" and untying lines at the dock is a bit .

Perhaps it would be safer for you and the boats around you to get a "ships captain" to untie the boat from the slip for this "your first time".

A ships captain would resolve the bilge issue in less than an hour and could share a few skill along the way.

It might be the best money spent on the boat.

 

[DArcy]

Think I'm harsh?

I think your comments are rude. Not necessarily wrong, just poorly presented.

@Mike M. did you try using the manual on setting on the bilge pump? The most likely failure is the automatic switch. If it doesn't pump on manual then listen to see if it is running but perhaps clogged, or there may be a leak in the hose. If not running then check the breaker/fuse first before going through the wiring. After that measure voltage at the pump when the switch is on.

Use the manual pump to get rid of the water if the automatic doesn't work.

I suggest you consider a boat maintenance course to get a basic understanding of boat systems. At least buy and read Nigel Calder's Boat Owner's Mechanical and Electrical Manual.

 

[BigEasy]

I suggest you consider a boat maintenance course to get a basic understanding of boat systems. At least buy and read Nigel Calder's Boat Owner's Mechanical and Electrical Manual.

US Power Squadrons “America’s Boating Club” offers courses on just about everything from electrical systems, communication systems, engine maintenance, piloting, navigation, weather, & even sailing! Well constructed course material at a nominal cost. Volunteers with expertise teach the courses, for example, there was a retired submarine electricians mate who taught the electrical course and a retired NASA electronics engineer who taught the communications course. I have taken all of them, except celestial navigation; definitely worth your time & effort to learn more about boats.

 

[jviss]

In my experience, the most likely cause of an external float/flapper type bilge pump switch is something stopping the float from floating up. Like, some junk in the bilge.

 

[Mike M.]

Mike,
As SFBay & David advised, your are going to have to trace and check the bilge pump DC circuit from the DC circuit breaker panel to bilge pump. Be aware that Beneteau used a float switch (plastic flapper) in the bilge to actuate the bilge pump when the water level reaches a given level in the bilge, so you’re going to have to check if you have power at the switch and thru the switch when it is activated. The switch can malfunction and you can also develop corrosion at the wiring connection. Then check the actual bilge pump. Beneteau used Whale bilge pumps that are not located in the bilge. The pump is usually located under a cabinet or behind a setee cushion. (don’t confuse the fresh water system pump for the bilge pump because they do look similar). Check for power at the pump when the bilge pump float switch is actuated. There should be another circuit with a 12V breaker on the breaker panel that powers up the pump independently of of the float switch, check that circuit also. Finally, if the bilge pump is running, but not pumping there could be debris clogging the intake hose in the bilge or the pump impeller may be inoperable and the impeller may need replacement. If the pump does not run, and there is power at the pump, time to replace the pump. If this is beyond your present skill set, call a professional to trouble shoot & repair; however, do watch, question, & learn how to handle this common problem. And, congratulations on your purchasing & becoming familiar with your new boat.

Thanks for your advice. This was very helpful. I had my electrician replace the budlge flappers twice now.

I think your comments are rude. Not necessarily wrong, just poorly presented.

@Mike M. did you try using the manual on setting on the bilge pump? The most likely failure is the automatic switch. If it doesn't pump on manual then listen to see if it is running but perhaps clogged, or there may be a leak in the hose. If not running then check the breaker/fuse first before going through the wiring. After that measure voltage at the pump when the switch is on.

Use the manual pump to get rid of the water if the automatic doesn't work.

I suggest you consider a boat maintenance course to get a basic understanding of boat systems. At least buy and read Nigel Calder's Boat Owner's Mechanical and Electrical Manual.

Thanks for the tip. Will look into taking ship systems class.

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

I had my electrician replace the budlge flappers twice now.

I just had to ask .

And why would you call an electrician to replace the "budlge flappers" ? My first call would have been to an etymologist to find out from where the word "budlge" is derived .