Rule Auto bilge pump not so auto. Is it toast?

[SV_IdleHour]

Hi all--
Wanted to find out if this is a common problem:
Manual circuit works, auto test switch and that circuit does not.

Is this a replacement issue or should I get a float switch for the manual side?

thanks!

 

[sail sfbay]

Suggest a Rule-A-Matic Plus 40A float switch. That is what I use.

 

[JoeWhite]

Check the voltage on the auto side wire.

 

[SV_IdleHour]

Check the voltage on the auto side wire.

Thanks Joe. I’ve been testing it in a pot at home with a 12V power supply. Any recommendations from there?

 

[JoeWhite]

If voltage is available to auto wire, then turn it upside-down and see if the motor runs. If yes then you can install an external float switch to the manual wire and save the pump.

 

[Tom J]

You can install a float switch to the manual side, but then you lose the manual function. Since mercury switches have been banned, the reliability of any bilge pump switch is suspect. I prefer to use an external float switch type of pump, since it is easier and cheaper to replace the switch, rather than the whole pump.

 

[Ken Cross]

You can use the manual wire with a float switch and still have manual control. Just connect the manual hot wire to the pump side of the float switch.

Ken

 

[Tom J]

You can use the manual wire with a float switch and still have manual control. Just connect the manual hot wire to the pump side of the float switch.

Ken

Not if he is using his old pump with the internal switch. What you described is the normal hookup for a pump with an external switch.

 

[Tom J]

Is this a replacement issue or should I get a float switch for the manual side?

Perhaps I misunderstood your question. I thought you intended to use the manual switch circuit to power the float switch. If, however, you intend to rewire the float switch with both the automatic and manual circuits, and feed the manual side of the pump, then, indeed you would have normal functions and wire the float switch as Ken described.

 

[SV_IdleHour]

Perhaps I misunderstood your question. I thought you intended to use the manual switch circuit to power the float switch. If, however, you intend to rewire the float switch with both the automatic and manual circuits, and feed the manual side of the pump, then, indeed you would have normal functions and wire the float switch as Ken described.

 

[SV_IdleHour]

ordered a float switch and a 3 way panel switch, I'd like to have manual control but was worried the pump is compromised. gonna give it a whirl, and thanks!

 

[JoeWhite]

To clarify, the pump in the photo has 3 wires. One is from the switch on the panel labled Auto. At the pump connect the Auto wire from the switch to the new float switch wire and the other side of float switch connect to manual wire. This setup will make the pump work as before in manual and Auto mode.
I am assuming that the Auto wire at the pump side has voltage when panel switch is in Auto position.
Haro.

 

[Benny17441]

If I recall correctly the h27 has a real shallow bilge that precludes the use of a float switch. The boats were originally fitted with a manual switch only. I would go ahead and replace that pump with an electronic one Rule S-Series that turns on every 2 1/2 minutes for 1 second to sense for water and if it does will continue to run until no more resistance on the impeller is felt. The power use is nil It does not require a float switch and will get a larger amount of water out than a float switch will allow. A 500GPH is enough for that bilge.

 

[SV_IdleHour]

If I recall correctly the h27 has a real shallow bilge that precludes the use of a float switch. The boats were originally fitted with a manual switch only. I would go ahead and replace that pump with an electronic one Rule S-Series that turns on every 2 1/2 minutes for 1 second to sense for water and if it does will continue to run until no more resistance on the impeller is felt. The power use is nil It does not require a float switch and will get a larger amount of water out than a float switch will allow. A 500GPH is enough for that bilge.

thanks Benny. definitely shallow.

 

[Capt Robbie]

any in line fuses on the automatic side of circuit?

 

[SV_IdleHour]

any in line fuses on the automatic side of circuit?

checked it straight to a power supply, fuse was good. Heard somewhere that they may short inside if a the auto brown wire gets wet. My first check and thanks!