How can I test the automatic function of my bilge pump/switch?
I installed a 750 GPM West Marine bilge pump conrolled by an
Automatic/Off/Manual switch.
The pump works in the Manual position. How can I check it in the Automatic
position?
I didn't wire the Automatic function correctly the first time: I flooded the
bilge at the wash rack (trailered boat) and the pump didn't work, even
though the switch was in Automatic. I selected Manual and it drained the
bilge quickly.
I really don't want to have to trailer it to the wash rack and flood the
bilge again if I don't have to.

Is the boat in the water, and you don't want to pull it out? If so, just get
one of those small pumps operated by a drill motor, and a couple of lengths
of tubing for it. Use a cordless drill, or a corded drill off an inverter,
and pump into the bilge. Those little pumps are about 7 bucks at home depot.

--Mike

"Bill Andersen" wrote in message
...
How can I test the automatic function of my bilge pump/switch?
I installed a 750 GPM West Marine bilge pump conrolled by an
Automatic/Off/Manual switch.
The pump works in the Manual position. How can I check it in the Automatic
position?
I didn't wire the Automatic function correctly the first time: I flooded
the bilge at the wash rack (trailered boat) and the pump didn't work, even
though the switch was in Automatic. I selected Manual and it drained the
bilge quickly.
I really don't want to have to trailer it to the wash rack and flood the
bilge again if I don't have to.

Bill Andersen wrote:
How can I test the automatic function of my bilge pump/switch?
I installed a 750 GPM West Marine bilge pump conrolled by an
Automatic/Off/Manual switch.
The pump works in the Manual position. How can I check it in the Automatic
position?
I didn't wire the Automatic function correctly the first time: I flooded the
bilge at the wash rack (trailered boat) and the pump didn't work, even
though the switch was in Automatic. I selected Manual and it drained the
bilge quickly.
I really don't want to have to trailer it to the wash rack and flood the
bilge again if I don't have to.

I didn't see a mention of a float switch?

In order for the pump to work "automatically" it has to know that there
is a sufficient depth of water in the bilge that it should begin
running. Do you have a float switch? If so, just lift it up manually to
simulate rising water in the bilge and see if the pump turns on.

If this particular pump doesn't rely on a float switch (and by far and
away most do), there still has to be some type of sensor system. Trip
that sensor and observe whether the pumping begins.

I guess I'll have to go to West Marine and look at one of the pumps on the
shelf to see how to test it. It's self contained but I don't know where the
float is. Now that it's installed I can't see it. The pump sits under the
engine and I can't get a good look at it. It just fits under the engine and
I can't fit my head down in there - just my hand.
(I've got a 19' bowrider with a 3 liter Mercruiser I/O. The engine box is
just big enough for the engine.)

"Chuck Gould" wrote in message
oups.com...

Bill Andersen wrote:
How can I test the automatic function of my bilge pump/switch?
I installed a 750 GPM West Marine bilge pump conrolled by an
Automatic/Off/Manual switch.
The pump works in the Manual position. How can I check it in the
Automatic
position?
I didn't wire the Automatic function correctly the first time: I flooded
the
bilge at the wash rack (trailered boat) and the pump didn't work, even
though the switch was in Automatic. I selected Manual and it drained the
bilge quickly.
I really don't want to have to trailer it to the wash rack and flood the
bilge again if I don't have to.

I didn't see a mention of a float switch?

In order for the pump to work "automatically" it has to know that there
is a sufficient depth of water in the bilge that it should begin
running. Do you have a float switch? If so, just lift it up manually to
simulate rising water in the bilge and see if the pump turns on.

If this particular pump doesn't rely on a float switch (and by far and
away most do), there still has to be some type of sensor system. Trip
that sensor and observe whether the pumping begins.

William Andersen wrote:
I guess I'll have to go to West Marine and look at one of the pumps on the
shelf to see how to test it. It's self contained but I don't know where the
float is. Now that it's installed I can't see it. The pump sits under the
engine and I can't get a good look at it. It just fits under the engine and
I can't fit my head down in there - just my hand.
(I've got a 19' bowrider with a 3 liter Mercruiser I/O. The engine box is
just big enough for the engine.)

"Chuck Gould" wrote in message
oups.com...

Bill Andersen wrote:
How can I test the automatic function of my bilge pump/switch?
I installed a 750 GPM West Marine bilge pump conrolled by an
Automatic/Off/Manual switch.
The pump works in the Manual position. How can I check it in the
Automatic
position?
I didn't wire the Automatic function correctly the first time: I flooded
the
bilge at the wash rack (trailered boat) and the pump didn't work, even
though the switch was in Automatic. I selected Manual and it drained the
bilge quickly.
I really don't want to have to trailer it to the wash rack and flood the
bilge again if I don't have to.

I didn't see a mention of a float switch?

In order for the pump to work "automatically" it has to know that there
is a sufficient depth of water in the bilge that it should begin
running. Do you have a float switch? If so, just lift it up manually to
simulate rising water in the bilge and see if the pump turns on.

If this particular pump doesn't rely on a float switch (and by far and
away most do), there still has to be some type of sensor system. Trip
that sensor and observe whether the pumping begins.


I don't find a 750 GPH "West Marine" brand pump in their on-line
catalog.

Did you buy one of these?

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs...llpartial/60/0

If so, the "automatic" function of that pump works by switching the
pump on at preset intervals and then switching it off again if it isn't
pumping water. No sensor switch required.
If there is no water present, then the pump turns off immediately.

One of the reasons that a lot of us prefer a float switch to some of
the other tripping mechanisms available is that it is very easy to lift
the arm of the switch and see whether the pump comes on. With this
overly complex electronic apparatus, you probably need to introduce
water to your bilge and see if the pump responds, and that seems almost
illogical.

How many wires are coming out of the bilge pump? (Hint: 1 is not the right
answer) If you see only one, follow that to the other end, which should have
some wires coming out of it. Do you still have the packaging that the pump
came in?
Jim
"Bill Andersen" wrote in message
...
How can I test the automatic function of my bilge pump/switch?
I installed a 750 GPM West Marine bilge pump conrolled by an
Automatic/Off/Manual switch.
The pump works in the Manual position. How can I check it in the Automatic
position?
I didn't wire the Automatic function correctly the first time: I flooded
the bilge at the wash rack (trailered boat) and the pump didn't work, even
though the switch was in Automatic. I selected Manual and it drained the
bilge quickly.
I really don't want to have to trailer it to the wash rack and flood the
bilge again if I don't have to.