Bilge pump / switch issue

C

Carl

Junior Member
I'm having a problem with my bilge pump and wondering what others think of the problem and my approach to fixing it.

Late last year at the end of the season I noticed that the pump was running with the three way switch in Auto without the float being raised. It was not running full speed, but more like slow humming. I finished the season and promised to fix it this spring. The pump was 3 years old, the float switch, the three way switch and all wiring in between was replaced last spring. (all products are Rule) I bought a new pump (1100 gph) and installed it, filled the bilge and it pump like a champ with the switch in Auto. A while later, I hear the pump running again (bilge is empty) and I notice the pump is running - but not full speed - just a low hum again. I play with the float switch and stops, but then starts again. With the switch up it runs like it should. I checked all the wiring connections including at the 3-way switch. All seem good.

My first thought is to replace the float switch for two reasons - 1. because I think that is the problem and 2. because it is still under warranty (and I have the receipt :news:).

What do you all think.

I'm going to keep the old pump (800 gph) anyway because now I think it might still be good and wire it up with alligator clips and 10' of hose like someone had suggested on another post a while back as a back up.

Carl
 
Replace the switch, it may have a slight short that allows a trickle voltage through which is giving you the hum. If that doesn't fix it I would look at the 3 way switch.

-Svence
 
You didn't get one of those that cycle at intervals to test for the presence of water, did you?
Can't remember who makes those that do.
 
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Rule® Fully Automatic Bilge Pumps

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Computer-controlled operation eliminates the need for a float switch, and takes the worry out of taking on water. Pump actually turns itself on every 2-1/2 minutes for approximately one second to check for water. If water is present, the pump's impeller senses the resistance and will run until all the water has been removed. It then returns to sensing mode.


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Float switch. You probably have the blue RULE switch. They're okay, but tend not to last that long. Then again none of the float switch's tend to last that long.
 
The switch is white with the blue writing. It is the Rule-A-Matic Switch. I hoped to get at least one season out of it - actually I expected to a FEW seasons from it. Rule advertises a 2 year warranty on it - so I'll see what they say when I bring it in!!
 
A friend of mine has a 43' TORRES and it had 6 of those switch's in it when he bought the boat(3 pumps and 3 high water alarms). It was pretty much at least one switch a month failed in it for the first 6 months. He went to a commercial boat parts vendor and bought the heavy duty plastic encased float switch's like the commercial guys use for $155 each. Hasn't replaced a float in 2 years now since he upgraded. Most all of these recreational grade switch's aint the best, I've seen that same blue RULE switch fail after one cycle with an 800GPH pump on it.
 
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