Reverse Polarity and/or Bilge Pump

[Soggy Paws]

I have a couple of problems that may or may not be related on my Catalina 270. First is reverse polarity. When I plug into shore power the reverse polarity light comes on. In looking at my neighbors boat, when we plug the same cord into his, we do not get a reverse polarity light on his panel. Any thougths?

Also, my bilge pump does not appear to be working. I can see and hear it run. But no water is being sucked up. Yesterday when I was working on it, I did get it to work for a moment, then back as usual. It may even be pushing some air back out. I checked the lines, they are clear. Could there be some vacum problem even though the pump is working? Does it need to be primed somehow? Could the revere polarity be an issue (even though it does it on battery or engine power)?

Where should I look next. Thanks.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Reverse Polarity

1. RP: see reply #9 here: http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,2620.0.html The topic discusses some of the features of rp, too.

2. Bilge pump: not impacted by rp because it is 12 V DC where rp is 120 V AC. Check your float switch the pump shouldn't be running when there's no water there.

Spend some time learning about boat electrical systems. It's a safety issue. Either buy a good book, there are lots, or check out BoatUS.com's technical library and Don Casey section. Very good information there for free!

 

[Soggy Paws]

Re: Reverse Polarity

1. RP: see reply #9 here: http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,2620.0.html The topic discusses some of the features of rp, too.

2. Bilge pump: not impacted by rp because it is 12 V DC where rp is 120 V AC. Check your float switch the pump shouldn't be running when there's no water there.

Spend some time learning about boat electrical systems. It's a safety issue. Either buy a good book, there are lots, or check out BoatUS.com's technical library and Don Casey section. Very good information there for free!

Thanks. I sort of thought the bilge was a separate issue. The float in the bilge is working just fine. My problem is it is not sucking up water. When there is no water the pump does not run.

I am doing some research on the reverse polarity issue. This was just another in that search. Thanks.

 

[tomfoolery]

Re: Reverse Polarity

Do you have a back flow valve somewhere along the bilge pump exhaust hose? If that gets plugged your pump will just be trying to compress air in the hose when it is activated. You could try removing the hose from the pump body and activating the pump with some water in the bilge to see if the pump is working w/o the exhaust hose attached. If it is, then while the exhaust hose is detached from the pump try using a inflatable air pump through the pump exhaust hose - if it has difficulty pumping air through the hose you have a blockage somewhere in that bidge pump exhaust hose. Let us know what you find out.

 

[Soggy Paws]

Re: Reverse Polarity

Do you have a back flow valve somewhere along the bilge pump exhaust hose? If that gets plugged your pump will just be trying to compress air in the hose when it is activated. You could try removing the hose from the pump body and activating the pump with some water in the bilge to see if the pump is working w/o the exhaust hose attached. If it is, then while the exhaust hose is detached from the pump try using a inflatable air pump through the pump exhaust hose - if it has difficulty pumping air through the hose you have a blockage somewhere in that bidge pump exhaust hose. Let us know what you find out.

Great idea. Thanks. I'll try it.

 

[jerry]

Bilge Pump not pumping water

Soggy Paws,
I had to replace my bilge pump about a month ago with the same problem. When I disassembled the old pump, I found the shaft of the pump was broken and the impeller would only spin occasionally when the shaft would just happen to "catch".

jerry