Float switch problem

[AOWYN]

Float switch wired in with main bilge pump worked fine for half a season then burnt out and bilge pump siezed.

Today I fitted a new bilge pump and new float switch, and got the following problem:

the pump does not switch off!!! I tested the switch in a bucket, it worked fine, but in the not very clean bilge of an old boat it would not switch off.


Has anybody else experienced the same problem, and more importantly, what was the solution?



<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[paulrossall]

I bought a new bilge pump 2 years back. It is a Rule pump which is automatic in that it runs every 2 or 3 minutes for a second and if it feels resistance it carries on running until all resistance has gone, ie. all water pumped away. I test it every so often by throwing some water down the bilge. It cost about £50 maybe a bit more. It savers all the hastle of more electrical connections and where to fit the float switch. Sorry if it does not solve your problem. Keep existing pump for emergency use and buy an automatic one. At least I have peace of mind when I leave my boat on the mooring so if the prop gland does leek a bit the water gets pumped out. Paul

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[jfkal]

Is the switch electronic or mechanic? The former tends to keep pumping if the bilge water was not clean and the sensor stays moist. Move it a bit higher with the sensor stud pointing down and not sideways. In case the switch is mechanic then it seems to get stuck at some debris, check whether it is clear.
Those pumps cum switch mentioned below never worked for me. They either do not run, or run constantly and burn out and they deplete the batteries ((

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[AOWYN]

Thanks,

I think you may have found the problem. The switch ( a mechanical float switch not a solid state device) worked fine when being moved up and down in a bucket of clean water, but the bilge water was not so clean, in fact it was pretty dirty.

I will experiment further next weekend.



<hr width=100% size=1>