Rule mate 500 wireing

gljnr1983

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Hello guys i am trying to wire my automatic rule 500 into the switch on the consul but no mater how i try wire it just stays on(unless i cut the power manualy)and thats me going with the instructions aswell has anyone else had this trouble with the auto bilge pumps thanks Gordon.
 
Doesn't that pump run for a while every few minutes to see if there's water present? How long does it run for when you connect it?
 
Doesn't that pump run for a while every few minutes to see if there's water present? How long does it run for when you connect it?

Yes in automatic mode it runs for a second every 2½ minutes to check for water.

I'd disconnect it from the switch and try in turn a 12 volt supply dierctly onto the positive wires. negative to the black wire of course.
It should run continuously if the supply is connected to the brown and white wire

it should operate in automatic mode if the supply is connected to the plain brown wire.

If all is well then check the switch wiring.
but if it runs continuously with a supply on the plain brown wire there is a problem with the pump or the installation.

Just a thought.. if the pump is totally dry maybe it sees the resistance of a dry impeller as the load caused by pumping water and keeps running has the pump had some water through it?

Note also what the instructions say about the hose draining completely and not trapping air or water pockets.
 
I just bench tested it there in a basin of water with the brown wire conected it just kept running after getting lifted straight up out the water so am i right in saying l have bought a dud,i cant even return it because it was bought early last year.Thanks for the replies guys.
 
I'd disconnect it from the switch and try in turn a 12 volt supply dierctly onto the positive wires. negative to the black wire of course.
It should run continuously if the supply is connected to the brown and white wire

it should operate in automatic mode if the supply is connected to the plain brown wire.

I thought the automatic pump only had 2 wires.
 
The automatic pump has 3 wires - ground, positive manual and positive automatic. There are several Rule 500 pumps. Some as suggested turn on every few minutes to check for water and some have a lifting float switch inside, as mine does. This can stick sometimes. Remove the blue bottom section and at the end opposite the impeller is there is a small plastic float? If so see if this moves when the pump is inverted. If it is working properly the pump in automatic mode will run if held upside down and shut off when right side up out of water.
 
The automatic pump has 3 wires - ground, positive manual and positive automatic. There are several Rule 500 pumps. Some as suggested turn on every few minutes to check for water and some have a lifting float switch inside, as mine does. This can stick sometimes. Remove the blue bottom section and at the end opposite the impeller is there is a small plastic float? If so see if this moves when the pump is inverted. If it is working properly the pump in automatic mode will run if held upside down and shut off when right side up out of water.

This is intriguing. The OP mentioned an "automatic rule 500" which I assumed was the 25S version. The Rule catalogue says this is used with the 49 switch, which is a simple on/off switch, so presumably the pump only has 2 wires. I've also seen reference to manual operation being started by disconnecting it from the power source, waiting for 5 seconds, and reconnecting to the power source.
 
This is intriguing. The OP mentioned an "automatic rule 500" which I assumed was the 25S version. The Rule catalogue says this is used with the 49 switch, which is a simple on/off switch, so presumably the pump only has 2 wires. I've also seen reference to manual operation being started by disconnecting it from the power source, waiting for 5 seconds, and reconnecting to the power source.

The thread title says Rule Mate 500...
 
This is the computerised one

830509.jpg
It says computerised on the top. They have been around for several years now

If not so labelled I'd guess it will be the old style with afloat switch

this "Rule-mate 500" has "solid state sensing"

830462.jpg
 
Last edited:
This is the computerised one

830509.jpg
It says computerised on the top. They have been around for several years now

If not so labelled I'd guess it will be the old style with afloat switch

this "Rule-mate 500" has "solid state sensing"

830462.jpg

Thats the one i have at the bottom.
I split it today to see if it is an internal float and found a fixed box that must contain the sensors,i also tried tapping it while the auto positive was connected but it never went off.
With a three year warranty i think i will to try find the place i bought it from in my ebay archives.
 

If I'm not mistaken, the Rule Mate 500 is the model with the built-in water sensing unit (be it a float switch like on the older model (which I have) or the newer one with the solid state sensor). This model has three wires, one for automatic operation using the built-in sensor and a second for manual operation that bypasses the built-in sensor.

The Rule 500 is an entirely different beast and I'd imagine has two wires.
 
If I'm not mistaken, the Rule Mate 500 is the model with the built-in water sensing unit (be it a float switch like on the older model (which I have) or the newer one with the solid state sensor). This model has three wires, one for automatic operation using the built-in sensor and a second for manual operation that bypasses the built-in sensor.

The Rule 500 is an entirely different beast and I'd imagine has two wires.

Yes, it seems the OP has the RM500A, the Rule Mate 500, rather than the automatic Rule 500 (the Rule 25S).
 
I was mislead by the OP describing the pump as an " automatic rule 500" ( got to blame him for something :D ) although he correctly named it in the title ... but who reads titles ;)

However now correctly identified. Fortunately wiring codes the same.
(Brown wire automatic operation, brown and white wire manual operation)

It seems that some, older??, have a float switch while others, newer ??, have a solid state sensor.
 
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