Bilge Pump - Float Switch test

rjbathgate · 27 October 2009, 01:08

Hey,

Simple question - to test my float switch on my bilge pump is working, I can simply shove a hose in the hull and walk away until it's full/floats the float, right?

!

Cheers

Limey Linda · 27 October 2009, 07:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by rjbathgate

Hey,

Simple question - to test my float switch on my bilge pump is working, I can simply shove a hose in the hull and walk away until it's full/floats the float, right?

!

Cheers

You must be Irish

rjbathgate · 27 October 2009, 07:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Limey Linda

You must be Irish

no where near...!

chewy · 27 October 2009, 08:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Limey Linda

You must be Irish

I think the point was if you walk away and leave it you may also prove your float switch doesn't work by flooding the boat.
Is your boat left on a mooring? Wouldn't fancy leaving a hose in it if it is!

Can't you remove the pump and switch and test it at home?

willk · 27 October 2009, 10:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Limey Linda

You must be Irish

Why, does he think he can "make" money by converting it from USD to Pesos?

Quote:

Originally Posted by chewy

Can't you remove the pump and switch and test it at home?

Jaysus Chewy, you actually might be Irish

Rogue Wave · 27 October 2009, 19:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by rjbathgate

Hey,

Simple question - to test my float switch on my bilge pump is working, I can simply shove a hose in the hull and stand by until it's full/floats the float, right?

!

Cheers

sounds good to me

rjbathgate · 27 October 2009, 20:04

ha sounds like i've caused chaos...

no, it's not wet moored, it's in my driveway...

and I wouldn't completely 'walk away' and leave it to completely fill with water and then be stuck with a very heavy boat...

basically, when I'm at home, rinsing the boat, I hose the inside, and the water runs down the drain plug in the deck, and down into the hull, where the float switch is, and then out of the screw plug at the bottom of the transom - for I have the screw plug undone when at home obviously.

So, as the water is coming out the plug, it's not affecting the float switch/bilge pump.

So, to test the bilge pump, if i simply screw up the plug, water will gather in the hull, and after a while hopefully flick the float...

It all makes sense in my head, but just wanted to make sure I'm not missing some really simple point....!!

If the pump doesn't work, then I can simply unscrew the screw plug and 'manually' drain it out... right?

HUMBER P4VWL · 27 October 2009, 20:20

Sounds like plan, just make sure the jockey wheel is up or the bow will be down and you will have to fill the whole hull until the level rises at the back where the float switch is!

I simply take the unit out of it's holder and turn it upside down, quick way of testing the pump and switch, but not the float switch itself in terms of floating ability.

rjbathgate · 28 October 2009, 01:07

float switch works

i can confirm by the fact I'm now soaked.

float level is much higher than screw plug drain (still heaps coming out after float stopped and screw undone), but hey, least it works when it's real wet