Isolate electrics or leave bilge pump on stand by.

[Contest1]

My bilge pump float switch recently developed an intermitant short and drained both batteries before I spotted the problem.
When I got Aurora first I always issolated untill I read or heard its best toleave the bilge pump on stand by.
The batteries are in recovery, one responding better than its twin.
Now I wonder whats best practice.

 

[[2574]]

i leave mine on standby constantly but also leave the battery charger on. My worry is that the pump would catch fire or otherwise expire after running for an extended period. Worry, worry, worry........

 

[pvb]

Why have you posted this twice?

 

[Caer Urfa]

My bilge pump float switch recently developed an intermitant short and drained both batteries before I spotted the problem.
When I got Aurora first I always issolated untill I read or heard its best toleave the bilge pump on stand by.
The batteries are in recovery, one responding better than its twin.
Now I wonder whats best practice.

I note you say you have your bilge pump wired to the Batteries?? which implies maybe 2.

Your bilge pump should be wired 'direct' to the domestic battery via an inline fuse, I always leave the bilge pump switch in AUTO, otherwise why fit a bilge pump, afterall it is there to safeguard the boat when you are not there incase it starts flooding for whatever reason!

Most bilge pumps are neglected as 'out of sight out of mind ', but I check mine for operation about 4 times a year min, your battery should not reduce in power as it has not been used if the bilge pump is left in 'auto', (unless it has been running).

Mike

 

[macd]

+1 with Caer Urfa.

And to the OP: Aurora's not a UFO 27 by any chance?

 

[jwilson]

On a typical GRP boat with deck-step mast and no significant leaks I would not leave on an auto bilge pump when leaving the boat. The chances of a fault causing batteries to be drained and possibly also a fire is greater than a major leak suddenly developing. And if there was a major leak a bilge pump would only delay sinking till the batteries ran down or the pump failed.

With a keel-stepped mast that always let in some water (almost all do) or a non-self-draining cockpit that lets rainwater through to the bilges, or a stern gland that was known to drip a bit, then I might leave a pump on auto.

 

[Contest1]

Accidental, can,t figure outhow to
delete

 

[pvb]

Accidental, can,t figure outhow to
delete

You delete a post by looking in the grey line under it for the words "Edit Post", click there and you'll see the option to delete the post.

 

[Contest1]

Thats how its wired alrigh8t, unfortunatly the float switch short kept the pump running.

 

[Contest1]

You delete a post by looking in the grey line under it for the words "Edit Post", click there and you'll see the option to delete the post.

Maybe I could merge, like to kep the poll.

 

[NormanS]

On a typical GRP boat with deck-step mast and no significant leaks I would not leave on an auto bilge pump when leaving the boat. The chances of a fault causing batteries to be drained and possibly also a fire is greater than a major leak suddenly developing. And if there was a major leak a bilge pump would only delay sinking till the batteries ran down or the pump failed.

With a keel-stepped mast that always let in some water (almost all do) or a non-self-draining cockpit that lets rainwater through to the bilges, or a stern gland that was known to drip a bit, then I might leave a pump on auto.

I quite agree, and even when I did have a boat which was susceptible to rainwater, I didn't have an electric pump.
Many years ago, a large boat moored in the Caley canalhad an automatic bilge pump. He also had a huge (several hundred gallon) diesel tank, which split. You can imagine the result.

 

[Contest1]

+1 with Caer Urfa.

And to the OP: Aurora's not a UFO 27 by any chance?

Thanks,
Shes a Westerly Centaur.