Where to ground?

[Sean Fleming]

I have recently installed a Rule bilge pump and float switch in my O'Day 23. The installation instructions state to run the pump's black wire to "any ground". This may sound like a crazy question, but where is the best place to ground on a boat? There are obviously other electrical components on my boat (i.e. autohelm, VHF, lights, etc.), but I'm not certain where they are all grounded. Behind my breaker panel, I see a number of black wired all soldered together - would this be the place to run my ground? How about to the negative battery terminal? Thanks for any insight....-SRF

 

[Justin - O'day Owners' Web]

Bilge pump ground wire

Sean -I run my bilge pump connections directly to the battery. That way if there is an issue with the electrical system I can shut it off without losing the bilge pump. I have a fuse in-line in the hot side of the loop.Justin - O'day Owners' Web

 

[Jim Stanford]

Sean, Where did you put it?

Sean, I was going to put one in mine (1979 O'Day 23) as well. Where did you locate yours exactly? The bilge seems awfully tight.

 

[Josh]

Either...

Wire it to which ever is closest, the panel or the battery. As the panel 'ground' should run directly to the battery anyways, it shouldn't matter which one you run it to. If you are worried about problems with the electrical panel as Justin stated, run the power directly to battery but definately put in a fuse. My suggestion for placement of this would be somewhere near the connection of the positive wire as long as it's out of the bilge. Wouldn't want it grounding out while sitting in water somehow!That said, you might also want to wire in a manual switch besides the float switch. This way, you also have manual control in case something happens to the float switch. You might also want to wire in a way to turn it off completely. Most bildge switches will already have these three settings, being manual, auto, and off.I've got two 1250 pumps on my O22. I figure if 3000 gph or more is coming aboard, I've pretty much split her in two! My only problem now is figuring out how to run the water overboard without adding any (if I can help it) new holes to my boat.Josh

 

[Ric Shultz]

Block

I have a bus block for my grounds. This block is a panel with screws to attach all grounds and a larger wire running to the battery. This way, all your connections are easy to follow, less wire is needed and things are neater. They are available through Boat US or West Marine, etc. I agree with the others on fusing and seperate switches.Ric

 

[Sean Fleming]

Where did I put it?

Jim,It was a tight squeeze. I found that whatever water I took on board usually accumulated in the area of the bilge directly under the molded-in cooler and in front of the water tank. From the storage access under the port settee I was able to reach the area. First, I cut backing blocks from some scrap teak roughly the "footprint" size of the pump and switch. Second, I drilled pilot holes in the blocks for the screws which attach the pump and switch to the blocks. Third, I epoxied the blocks to the area of the bilge mentioned above and completely coated the blocks with epoxy. Fourth, I fastened the pump and switch with the screws using the pre-drilled holes. Fortunately, the length of wire attached to the pump and switch was sufficient for me to work on the electrical connections in a less contorted way! Now it's done, and I'm happy with the location and result. Thanks for everyone's input.-SRF