Boats For Sale:
Fusing Bilge Pumps |
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Jim_In_Houston 
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Joined: September-06-2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 1120 |
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 Topic: Fusing Bilge PumpsPosted: January-08-2009 at 12:33am |
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Should a bilge pump be fused? I think not but I would like the opinion of a boat expert.
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Happy owner of a '66 and a '68 Mustang
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JoeinNY
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Joined: October-19-2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 5698 |
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Posted: January-08-2009 at 12:45am |
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I dont know if we can find a boat expert but every bilge pump I have ever seen has been fused, every one I ever bought that was not a direct replacement comes with a fuse holder inline and a recommendation for a fairly low amp fuse (usually two amps for a smallish pump). I would suspect this is to possibly save the pump motor when it inevitably runs dry because the pump sticks or when it ingests debris and stops running and the amperage goes up enough to blow the fuse, but not nearly enough to reach the wire ratings. Now this saves a pump return to the manufacturer but might it in some cases lead to a sunken boat?
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Jim_In_Houston
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Joined: September-06-2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 1120 |
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Posted: January-08-2009 at 1:08am |
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Thanks Joe. A little scary though. Kind of makes me wonder how much one of those little pumps draw when they get locked up. They may not draw enough to heat the wiring. I would think that if they clog the amp draw goes down but who knows. I will fuse mine based on your info. Good to see your words again after a long hiatus. Jim
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Happy owner of a '66 and a '68 Mustang
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75 Tique
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Joined: August-12-2004 Location: Seven Lakes, NC Status: Offline Points: 6130 |
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Posted: January-09-2009 at 1:57pm |
Dittos Jim, Good to hear from you. What you been up to? How are my old stomping grounds? |
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_____________
“So, how was your weekend?” “Well, let me see…sun burn, stiff neck, screwed up back, assorted aches and pains….yup, my weekend was great, thanks for asking.” |
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Riley
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Joined: January-19-2004 Location: Portland, ME Status: Offline Points: 7953 |
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Posted: January-09-2009 at 2:36pm |
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I had a pump lock up a few years ago. It was fused, but the fuse didn't blow. It just killed the battery. The pump just seemed to seize up, there was no blockage. It was an Atwood pump. If you ever take one apart, they've got cheap little motors.
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jbear
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Joined: January-21-2005 Location: Lake Wales FL. Status: Offline Points: 8193 |
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Posted: January-10-2009 at 3:21am |
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Holy crap....its J-I-H back from the dead...welcome back. Where ever have you been?
john |
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"Loud pipes save lives"
AdamT sez "I'm Canadian and a beaver lover myself"... |
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Jim_In_Houston wrote: