Bilge pump stupid

[HURRICANEBOB]

"Tyhe smart man, know what he don't know".

So my boat has an automatic bilge pump. And it has a bilge pump switch on the drivers switch panel. The pump is wired direct to one of 2 main engine batteries and so will work even if the battery switch is off (not on 1 or 2).

With the battery switch off, I put some water in the hull, and the automatic bilge pump blows it right out.

I turn the battery switch to "ALL", and then go to the helm, and hit the Bilge pump switch, and the light on the panel lights up, but, I can't hear the pump running. So even if switched on, will the pump not work unless it's internal float sees enough water to work with? If the float has to have enoough water for the automatic pump to work, what do I need the switch for?

Confused. What good does the pump switch do me, since it there's water in the hull, the automatic bilge pump will blow it out automatically. What is the manual switch for? Can I dump that switch and use if for other more important stuff?

[Embrey]

sounds like its wired to the wrong side of the switch on the pump.

[410th]

Dear Mr Hurricane Bob

I have an old LOWE Boat that like's to take on water, and I also have a float switch and a switch at the dash, like you I thought to my self, why do I need a switch at the dash when the thing come on by itself, then one day a candy bar wrapper got on top of the float switch and it did not come on at all, and at the end of the day when I was pulling the boat up the ramp, the float switch did not pump the water out. Now I know why I have a switch at the dash, just in case that float switch dont work.

And if you are ever walking up a ramp and see a old Lowe boat being pulled out of the water stay away from the driver side of the boat, just in case it needs to take a leak.

Billy

[JimDi]

The bilge pump should get power from the battery via the float switch or the console switch.

check this link out for a three way switch wiring.

http://www.boatus.com/boattech/casey/14.htm

[kydonky]

would guess (just a guess) that the switch on the dash is to wire a standard bilge pump. However, either the factory of prior owner installed a float switch bilge pump and bypassed the dash switch. You may have a choice if you ever need to replace the pump.

The good news is that it does pump. So you know that if it is not broke, don't fix it.

You may use a tester to find out just where the hot wire on the dash switch terminates (what it is connected to or if it is connected to anything at all) just for curiosity. It may be available for another gadget like an electric downrigger or color fish tv.

[HURRICANEBOB]

Thanks to all! Good info.