Bilge Pump

[CatMar II]

We have a 1983 Tarpon. I have a simple question. Our boat has two batteries on a switch. The bilge pump is on a timer, even with the battery switch in the off position the bilge will still run every five or so minutes. Obviously it is directly wired to the batteries. I trailer the boat so while it sits in the driveway I obviously don't need it running. My question is, should I change it for a float bilge or leave it as is? I never had an issue with it last year.

Thanks

 

[mboyatt]

I would swap it out, but that's just me. A bilge with a float switch would be the way to go. I don't understand the need to have the bilge kick on every 5 minutes, especially when you trailer the boat. :hmm

 

[onoahimahi]

I had one of those timed units once but replaced it with a normal unit and a switch. It just annoyed me to hear the thing turning on all time. Also, I keep my boat on a slip and one of the last things I do before walking away from it is reach down and lift the float to make sure the pump turns on. With the timed unit, it is not as easy to test. You have to sit their and wait to hear it turn on.

 

[CatMar II]

Thanks guys, I am going to change it out. The more I thought about it, last year when we hit rough seas and I needed it it took five or six pumps to empty the boat. If I had had a float it would have pumped all at once. Getting a new one tomorrow. I guess the good news is I have a back up.

 

[freddy063]

I have float switches + manual switching for the bilge pumps, never saw the timer ones, but I found that the switches need to be cleaned out because everything that gets flushed down onto the bilge will end up around the float switch. I have to clean out sand and hair all the time. who knows were it comes from.