Bilge Pump will not turn off

[Frank Marshall]

In tinkering with my new 210 FSH, I found the bilge pump would not stop pumping when I turned the battery power and Bilge Pump switch on. I found a brown wire connected to the back side of the Bilge Pump switch. That wire seems to be for manual on, although the switch doesn't offer that option. Thus when the switch is turned on that wire supplies power to the manual line of the pump wiring.

I disconnected it, turn on the Bilge Pump, and the pump didn't start continuously cycling. Then I pressed the test button on the side of the pump to confirm the pump still worked. All was good.

In further testing, I found the bilge pump is in automatic mode with the bilge pump switch off and the battery switch off.

The Rule-Mate pumps are built with wiring for an automatic mode and a manual mode.

Although the owners manual says (page 78) "When the bilge pump switch and the battery switch are turned on, the bilge pump will detect when there is excessive water in the bilge and will automatically drain most of it through the bilge pump outlet." I believe the bilge pump is hard wired to the battery for the automatic mode, and wired through the bilge pump switch to turn on the manual mode. Thus, as long as there is power in the battery, the automatic mode of the bilge pump is on.

 

[swatski]

In tinkering with my new 210 FSH, I found the bilge pump would not stop pumping when I turned the battery power and Bilge Pump switch on. I found a brown wire connected to the back side of the Bilge Pump switch. That wire seems to be for manual on, although the switch doesn't offer that option. Thus when the switch is turned on that wire supplies power to the manual line of the pump wiring.

I disconnected it, turn on the Bilge Pump, and the pump didn't start continuously cycling. Then I pressed the test button on the side of the pump to confirm the pump still worked. All was good.
fyi

That is good to know!
For anyone messing with this - keep in mind - just do NOT reverse polarity to the pump - it will kill the pump in an instant. So, in a new boat may want to have dealer do it, or be careful.

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[Frank Marshall]

Updated original post. Automatic bilge pump is always on...until the battery is dead.