PaulRainbow
Well-known member
Disagree.. You should use a bilge pump switch. Three settings, Auto via the float switch, manual to just turn on.... and off.
I disagree with your disagree. What's the use of the "off" position ? Why would one want to disable the bilge pump ?
I know of two cases in the last two years where the bilge pump switch has accidentally been turned off. In one case, a drip from the stern gland led to a substantial amount of water in the bilges. In the other case water was up to the sole boards when the owner returned to the boat.
IMO, the auto bilge pump should be wired direct to the batteries (with a fuse of course) the manual override can just be a switch on the panel. No off switches to get accidentally turned off, if there is a fault the fuse should blow, if the pump was continually running (if the sensor/switch failed, for instance) just pull the fuse.