Bilge pump runs on and on...

[SC Adventure 208]

My bilge pump will turn on periodically even with a dry bilge. Once it does, it wants to run until the battery is drained. The boat is always kept trailered or on a lift, never in the water. It runs even when both batteries are off. Not all the time. Just some of the time (50%?)

any thinghts on a fix? New float? What about rewiring it so it will not run when the battery switch is in the off position? (I know that doesn't sound like a good idea).

Thanks

 

[seasick]

If you have a mechanical float switch, there is a good chance that something is stuck under the float. Of course the float switch cold be bad but check for debris first. You can flush it with a hose . That often works.
There is a small possibility that the manual overide switch is shorting out causing the pump to run. Try playing with the switch ans listensing for the pump to see if it seems to be operating when the switch is wiggled especially towards the OFF position.
If the pump is electronic, that is another story.

 

[SC Adventure 208]

I think it's mechanical.. I'll try those first. Thanks

 

[drbatts]

If you have a mechanical float switch, there is a good chance that something is stuck under the float. Of course the float switch cold be bad but check for debris first. You can flush it with a hose . That often works.
There is a small possibility that the manual overide switch is shorting out causing the pump to run. Try playing with the switch ans listensing for the pump to see if it seems to be operating when the switch is wiggled especially towards the OFF position.
If the pump is electronic, that is another story.

check for debris first.