Bilge Pump Not Working on Automatic

[Tug]

When i turn on my stern bilge pump to automatic it makes these little noises everytime it cycles on and off. When i turn my midship bilge pump on to automatic it doesn't make any noises at all....but it turns on when i switch it to manual mode. Is the bilge pump broken or wired incorrectly.It's a Sahara 1100 GPH automatic type with a control panel at the helm. Tug

[cemiii]

If your Attwood Sahara is like one of mine, there should be a test switch on the opposite side of the unit from the discharge hose. if you twist it clockwise the pump should come on in the auto mode, I believe.

I don't think that most pumps with float switches make any noise in auto mode, the exception being some of the computerized models (rule) that come on (whrrr) every minute or two to "test" for water resistance. Maybe your other pump is one of these?

Here's a manual if you need to check wiring:

http://www.attwoodmarine.com/userfiles/store/product/files/877/69370-c-sahara-pumps.pdf

When you move to that marina don't forget to turn at least one of them to auto or hard wire the auto to a battery if you think there is any chance of forgetting. Over an extended period of time those computerized pumps will have some impact on your battery charge condition unless you are hooked to an on-board, or solar charger.

[BrentB]

Are both pumps the same model and float switch?

[BrentB]

http://www.powerboat-reports.com/sample/bilge.html
review from Power Boat Reports from several yrs ago
http://www.powerboat-reports.com/sample/bilge.html

At the end of the page, there is links to 2 related articles

[smittypaddler]

When this happened to me when I started removing the old pump to replace it, the brown wire just fell off, and a little green dust spilled out of the insulator. I cut off about an inch, reconnected, and it's worked ever since.

[BrentB]

good point
You may need to check each wire connection and use waterproof connections. Adding a piece of heat shrink tubing over it is cheap insurance

[Tug]

I went to the marina to put my cockpit canvas on..( big storm coming overnite ) .. and checked the bilge pumps.The stern ( Rule )..pump is on automatic and cycles every few minutes.. The other bilge pump amidships is an Attwood Sahara 1100 GPH....i have it on auto also but it doesn't cycle..but your right ,there is a little knob on the pump that you can turn...i did that and the pump cycle..( comes on )..i had forgot about that feature...thanks for reminding me Cemiii......so all is ok. Was a little concerned that it might not be working even though i put canvas up. I am going out to see the July 4th fireworks, can hear them going off now..Tug

[C-Hawk]

My pump would not work with the battery switch off. I checked and found that they had wired the pump through the switch. I changed the wiring straight to the battery. Now it works good.

[jennykatz]

I did the same thing wired direct to the battery .My attwood sahara 1100gph was wired through the 1/2/both/off switch .Now everything works like it supposed to.