Blown bilge pump?

[chrisjrob]

Our electrics let us down this weekend . The panel was alight and the battery monitor was showing that the batteries were fully charged, but nothing that went through the panel was working.

The VHF always seems to work without any switch on the panel being on, and that was certainly receiving power, but the display on it was going haywire.

In the end I discovered that all these problems disappeared if I switched off the automatic bilge pump, which, like the VHF, does not seem to have a switch on the panel.

My ignorant guess is that probably the bilge pump is shorting out somewhere, probably within the motor itself, and that I probably need to replace it.

Anyone able to make sense of the above and suggest any troubleshooting steps or offer an alternative solution.

The bilge pump is a Rule 1100GPH. The boat is a Westerly Merlin 29.

Thanks!

 

[Firefly625]

Bump!

Chris, electrics not my Forte (as you know) , but your diagnosis & cure of auto bildge pump replacement sounds about right, only thing I would check is all earth connections.. But that would be about my limit!

Maybe others will contribute?

 

[VicS]

Id suspect the bilge pump too.

Disconnect it and if everything else then works correctly check the pump

Presuambly this one automated with a float switch

http://www.jabscoshop.com/marine/pu...ule-bilge-pumps/27d-rule-1100-submersible.htm


Or this "computerised" one

http://www.jabscoshop.com/marine/pu...27s-rule-fully-automatic-1100-submersible.htm


No parts listed for either

 

[chrisjrob]

A couple of days ago all the electrics failed again, still with the bilge pump in the off position.

Opened the panel again and noticed that the single thick brown cable that is bolted to the back of the panel was working loose. Tightened the nut back down again and the electrics came back on. Can't be certain that that is a permanent fix, but it would seem hopeful.

Thanks for your guidance!