bilgepump question

[sonny200ccp]

i am a new boat owner. should my bildge pump work with power on and key off?

[slvrlng]

It depends on which type you have. Does yours have a float switch or is it an automatic or just plain?

[seabob4]

Yes Sonny, it should (unless it's running continuously).  The pump is part of the boat's electrical system, independent of the engine's electrical system, so the ignition key has nothing to do with your pump.

If your pump and float switch are wired correctly, the pump will work via the float switch even with the battery switch turned off...

[icemanbryan]

Good reading Bob.
I was looking at my bilge pump yesterday, thinking about changing upgrading.
It looks a little past on.
Any advice on a quality pump, size, brand?

Thanks as always,

Bryan

[RickK]

Another option is to change out the mechanical switch with an electronic one. When water touches two contacts it activates - I've had one installed in my 230 for 7 years and it works great.
http://www.marinepartssource.com/productsmfg.asp?mfg=Johnson%20Pump&mcat1=7&mcat2=0&mcat3=0&Category=Electronic%20Float%20Switches

[icemanbryan]

Thanks Rick, good call.
The less moving parts the better, yeah?

[sonny200ccp]

mine just doesn't work then. i've never heard of electric switch i'll look into it. thanks for getting involved
with my situation. i really appreciate it.

[seabob4]

Sonny,
Whether you choose the traditional float switch (the type that used to be a mercury switch, guess it's more environmentally friendly now), or the "electronic" type that Rick recommended, keep the pump and the float switch separate.  I do this chit for a living, trust me, floats crap out WAY more often then pumps.  I have Rule pumps 20 years old in my shop that still work...but floats (and Rick is lucky here) usually last 3-5 years.  Have an "all-in-one" pump/float, like a Rule-a-Matic?  Float craps out, have to replace the whole shooting match, at a cost of well over $100.  Separate Float craps out?  $18 for an Attwood at Wally World...

Just some advice from someone who sees it pretty often...

[sonny200ccp]

thanks for the advice.