How about, :- float switch operating a warning lamp, then bilge pump on 3
way switch, ie off, to float switch or direct to supply. I fitted this for a
customer and also fitted a alarm,( but he found the alarm too annoying!) You
could fit a large warning light or even a strobe type, ( float switch are
rated at several amps), which would be difficult to ignore. All circuits
fused of course! The normal 'rule' type switches only illuminate the light
when the pump is running but it seems to make sense that even if bilge
pumping is 'anti-social' there should still be some warning of excess bilge
levels.
Regards Dave

"Dave Jasmin" wrote in
:

but he found the alarm too annoying

We have a Rule float switch about 3' off the bottom of the very deep bilge.
It's directly connected to the battery through its own fuse, too, just like
the bilge pump. The load end of it is under the radar antenna on the
mizzen, Radio Shack's biggest alarm siren and, atop the mizzenmast, biggest
alarm strobe light pointed up the dock so that NOONE WILL SLEEP WHILE
LIONHEART SINKS!.....She's easy to spot, making spots-before-your-eyes like
that.

It doesn't go off until the water in the bilge is halfway up to the teak
decking in the cabin. I know it works when I pick up the float....(c; I
hope I never hear it go off from my sleep in the V-berth....

Everyone with a flooding alarm you can't simply shut off...raise your hand.

Pity.....

Ours is as "annoying" as I can make it....(c;