Bilge pumps, again - Page 2

Tim M · 10 March 2008, 20:19

The funny thing is, I've had this problem ever since I have had the boat. Over the year, I have chanced just about everything that could be causing an electrical problem: I have a new engine, two new batteries, yet it still keeps happening.

codprawn · 10 March 2008, 20:23

You don't keep peeing in the bilge do you???

Tim M · 10 March 2008, 20:26

No, why, does pee not get on very well with bilge pumps?

DGR · 10 March 2008, 22:34

Nah...pee is fine......

DGR · 10 March 2008, 22:39

From what's been said - if everything else has been changed, it's probably what NOT been changed that's the problem. Check the wiring, put a voltmeter on the supply, and see what happens!!

For example, if the pumps are wired to battery 1 for bilging when the isolators are off, when you run on battery 1, everything is OK. If you run on battery 2, you might be running the pumps at 24v, which won't go down too well. Or they've used crap wire - and they aren't getting enough oooomph to do the job, and after a couple of weeks give up the ghost.

It all depends on how the system was set up at the beginning - but I'd put money on the supply being the problem.

codprawn · 11 March 2008, 01:41

I agree - you could try hooking up a big battery directly to the pump and securing it to the A frame or similar. It will last ages before it needs a recharge - I get 3 months out of a 120amp battery and there is a lot of very wet Welsh rain to shift!!!

pathalla · 11 March 2008, 03:55

Being a freshwater guy I have not had much in the way of problems with bilge pumps, but I have spent enough time on the briny sea to say: check the wiring leading to the bilge pump, if it lays in the bilge it is amazing how fast it'll green up into a nice, pasty, green, mush! Not much good for passing current, or anything else for that matter... Good luck! May your bilge pump problems be shortlived...

Tim M · 11 March 2008, 10:37

The pump runs off a fused switch pannel. In order to run the pump the battery isolator must be on, hence when the boat isn't being used (it lives in the water) the isolator is left with one battery always on.

I am 100% sure that I'm not getting 24v.

bedajim · 11 March 2008, 12:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim M

The pump runs off a fused switch pannel. In order to run the pump the battery isolator must be on, hence when the boat isn't being used (it lives in the water) the isolator is left with one battery always on.

I am 100% sure that I'm not getting 24v.

Have you ever stripped one of the broken ones down ?