Bilge pump and wiring

C-Nile · Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2011 9:25 am Post subject:

I agree completely with Papacorn. In addition, if the person has only one bilge pump, the possibility for Murphy to strike should not be overlooked: the pump could fail at a time when it is most needed.

Rich

Capital Sea · Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2011 11:22 am Post subject:

I agree, this is a good time to install a back up bilge pump after you fix the connections on the primary pump. Redundancy in this area is a great thing.

On a 22' a quick install which avoids another through hull is to plumb the outflow up through the base of the motor well and to install a manual switch in the battery compartment. Dead rise is only a few inches and the pump puts out a strong flow as installed. I keep a plug in the exposed opening to prevent anything from falling into the opening when not in use.

My primary pump periodically gets fouled with pine needles and this setup allows me to evacuate the water so I can work in a dry bilge well.

DaveM · Posted: Sun Dec 18, 2011 10:32 pm Post subject: Replace the pump

I would suggest you replace the pump based on two points: 1) The motor was shorted for greater than 30 seconds with a 10A fuse and 2) The pump uses a brushed motor. During the 30 second short, the brushes likely arced to the armature. While the damage may not be significant initially, the brushes could be damaged enough to start self-destructing quickly.

My recommendation would be to replace the pump and make sure you've fused it with the correct fuse. With due respect to one of the posts, with a higher amp fuse, your pump will see higher wattage (volts times amps) than with a lower amp fuse.

As always, great recommendations from the C-Brat folks!

DaveM