Silly Bildge Pump Question

[225Explor]

Its time to replace my foward bildge and aft bildge(wish me luck replacing that one). They are the original pumps, boat is 1995 Explorer 225.  I just want to be sure I order the correct direct replacement pumps and float switches.  Are both bilges automatic pumps with manual float switches or are both non-auto with manual float switches ?  Forward is Rule 500 Aft is Rule 1500(all white top with red strainers)  both also have rectangular shaped float switches with a strainer completely around the whole switch(one peice)  Thanks, Mike R

[seabob4]

Mike,
You are correct, Rule 500 forward, Rule 1500 aft.  The blue float is a Sure-bail, I'd replace them with Rule-a-matic switches.  And you might want to try Pete's method of gaining better access to the bilge, cutting an access pie in the aft vertical face of the fishbox...

[225Explor]

Thanks SB, but are they both automatic bildge pumps ?

[seabob4]

Thanks SB, but are they both automatic bildge pumps ?

"Automatic" can mean one of two things.  If the pump itself is automatic, it will have a built-in float, some cycle every few minutes or so, some have a sensor that reads resistance from rising water.  Automatic also means that on a manual pump wired to a float switch, the boat can be unattended and the batt switch off, but as water rises and the float rises, it "automaticallY" turns on the pump...

Your aft bilge pump is a traditional pump, wired the traditional way whereas you can turn it on manually via the switch at the helm, or the float can turn it on, even though the helm switch is off.  Your fwd pump is wired so that only the float turns it on.  One gray wire from the float to constant hot, the other gray wire from the float to the brown wire on the pump, ground from the pump to ground...

[Circle Hooked]

When i re-did mine last year the forward pump was wired just like the back.with a float and a maual switch,there is a hot feed in the black box in back for both,the front i replaced with the Rule that has the built in float,the rear i went to a 2000gph and a seperate float switch,be careful when removing the old float switches as they contain Mercury and yes that back one is a pain in the --- do what Pete did with the pie plate,i wish i would have.

[225Explor]

Both my bilge pumps can be manually operated from my helm switches as well.  Is this the direct replacement for the aft bilge ?  http://www.amazon.com/Rule-1500-Non-Aut ... 648&sr=8-4

What exactly do I need to watch for when removing the float switches containing mercury ?  Thanks, Mike R.

[Circle Hooked]

Mike That looks like the one,the float switch in the box has the mercury,just don't bang it around and you should be fine,i was extra cautious just because of how old it was.

Any more question feel free to ask.

This is the float switch i used,stuck with the float because it has a test feature http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/st ... sNum=10625

The rear pump http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/st ... sNum=10624

The forward pump http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/st ... sNum=10624

[225Explor]

Thanks for the info Scott,  I am partial to Rule pumps but was wondering how those Johnson pumps work, anyone ever use them ??

Mike R

[Capt. Bob]

I am partial to Rule pumps but was wondering how those Johnson pumps work, anyone ever use them ??

Mike R

viewtopic.php?p=43410#p43410

[seabob4]

Sorry guys, didn't realize the Explorer fwd pump had a manual switch at the helm as well. In that case, the fwd pump will be wired exactly the same as the aft...

Remember, Osprey's were my girls...  

[225Explor]

Sorry guys, didn't realize the Explorer fwd pump had a manual switch at the helm as well. In that case, the fwd pump will be wired exactly the same as the aft...

Remember, Osprey's were my girls...  

no worries, all of your info is still very helpful  

[woody]

I put a Rule a matic 500 in my 175 a couple of months ago , replacing the original Rule pump that had no float switch , only the manual switch on the console . Since the boat stays in the water for a few days at a time , this seemed like a good idea . I wired it as directed and tried the test switch , everything worked . Then while washing the bilge when the boat was back on the trailer ,I noticed the bilge was full of water , but no pump running . When I either pushed the test button on the pump or the console manual switch it came on and continued pumping til the bilge was (reasonably) empty .
Thought I had a bad pump so took it back to West marine and got a free replacement . Installed that one , same results . I called Rule pump in Mass. and spoke with a tech guy (Neal) Explained my problem and he said that this pump kicks on when the water rises 2 3/4 inches on the pump itself ! That is a lot of water in the bilge of a 175 . I am replacing the pump and going back to a regular float switch . This seems like poor engineering on Rule 's part . Just thought I 'd pass this info along  ..

[Circle Hooked]

Thanks Woody that's some good info,that would be alot of water in my boat also,don't like that idea.

[seabob4]

Nope, nope, nope...

Old school is the best, IMHO...

And 2 3/4" is just about where the test button is.  I'll be damned...

[225Explor]

I put a Rule a matic 500 in my 175 a couple of months ago , replacing the original Rule pump that had no float switch , only the manual switch on the console . Since the boat stays in the water for a few days at a time , this seemed like a good idea . I wired it as directed and tried the test switch , everything worked . Then while washing the bilge when the boat was back on the trailer ,I noticed the bilge was full of water , but no pump running . When I either pushed the test button on the pump or the console manual switch it came on and continued pumping til the bilge was (reasonably) empty .
Thought I had a bad pump so took it back to West marine and got a free replacement . Installed that one , same results . I called Rule pump in Mass. and spoke with a tech guy (Neal) Explained my problem and he said that this pump kicks on when the water rises 2 3/4 inches on the pump itself ! That is a lot of water in the bilge of a 175 . I am replacing the pump and going back to a regular float switch . This seems like poor engineering on Rule 's part . Just thought I 'd pass this info along  ..

Thanks Woody, I plan on doing both pumps and float switches as if it were a direct replacement.............IMO thats just too much water in a 175 or any boat, I just don't like the idea of that.