Float switch for my bilge pump

10-4 buddy. The ground is on the engine block above the water pump. I will ground it and see what happens.

The nut I am talking about holds the overflow valve on to the back of the boat. The valve is located on the outside of the boat, on the stern, to the right of the ladder just below the rub rail. When you fill your tank, it will shoot out gas when the tank is full. I also believe it just vents fumes from the tank. There was a nylon nut on the back side of it between the wall of the boat and the vent hose. I cranked on it the other day and it being nylon, broke in to a bunch of pieces .

Understand, but the reason I say it has to be a half nut is because a regular lock nut is too thick and will overrun on to the area where the vent hose is attached thus the name "half nut". The nylon nut that came off of it is about the thickness of one of the black ends of an Oreo Cookie.

Pete,

I'm sorry. I was not trying to catch you off guard or question your CC knowledge.

All I was saying was that it was a nylon, that's why it broke. I knew it was not the shape and thickness of a regular nut and a local mom and pop hardware store said what I needed was a "half nut" which they said it is called that because it is half the thickness of a normal nut but they did not have anything I could use. I don't recall if there was a lock washer behind it or not, probably not.

I will try word my emails better in the future and not in insinuate a fact or theory I am dealing with...

I am heading to Guntersville, AL this afternoon to a large marina there to get a couple of things and I am bringing my PITA children with me pictured below to see if they have an idea. Pictured is the broken nut and I was wrong. It is made out of some sort of pot metal. I trust you guys more than them but maybe if they hold it in their hand, something will click. I saved about $300 by not going to Callaway this weekend so I can afford to buy what I need:

BTw, my last attempt this morning at the bilge pump: Grounded the switch like we discussed to a post marked "G" on the back of a gage. The float was not involved. As soon as I touched the ground point, the bilge pump came on. The problem with that is the switch was not pulled out and the float was sitting in a box out of the picture so I am back to square one:

regarding the nut the common name is jam nut or pannel nut, if you are trying to locate one at a hardware store or a large retail store like Home depot or lowes.

Pete, been gone since lunch yesterday. Will try this out this afternoon and let you know.

scott

Scott,
Did you identify the thread size. As mentioned, there are alternates. Is it a pipe size? Go into the hardware again and see if a electrical locknut will screw onto the through hull.

The big alternate is getting a complete new one. They still make the same vent!

DrCC wrote: And while your at the Depot, get a thin rubber washer.   The one on your fuel vent looks like a garden hose washer.   The thin washer will give you more threads on the inside. AT

Good point. I will take you up on it.

srbranum wrote: Pete, would have to buy a whole new fitting to get the nut. But, like you, I want it as original as possible and want to keep the old one.

Scott,
The same Perko you have is now marketed as a "WEST" product.



$11.00 at West Marine

You probably spent more on gas with all the running around you've been doing!

Scott,
The new through hull vent I'm sure is a cheap zinc die cast imitation to your old Perko which may be brass. I'd get it just for the nut - or, if you know the size of the nut you got from Fastenal, as mentioned I may be able to help. BTW, you could also take the nut you do have and hack saw it in half!!!

8122pbrainard wrote: Scott, The new through hull vent I'm sure is a cheap zinc die cast imitation to your old Perko which may be brass. I'd get it just for the nut - or, if you know the size of the nut you got from Fastenal, as mentioned I may be able to help. BTW, you could also take the nut you do have and hack saw it in half!!!

Ask and ye shall receive!!

Scott,
Fantastic news. I'm glad to hear you got it. I'm glad to have helped out but can't take all the credit.

Ernest,
Thanks, Yes this is a great site and one of a kind. Now, I must say there were a few frustrating moments with Scott's bilge pump!! I kept on trying to figure on how to explain the wiring.

srbranum wrote: Did I mention in the middle of all this that I completely took apart the leaf springs, bearings and hub and stripped the paint, wire brushed to a new finish, added two coats or metal primer and two coats of white paint?

On the boat?

srbranum wrote: did you think about me sawing that nut in half? It looks perfect.

Looks like it sure will work! I'm really curious on what size the nut is. I've asked several times. Did Fastenal tell you?   

Pete,

To be honest with you, the guy at Fastenal took my fuel fitting and rummaged around a couple of bins and told me this is what I need. I did not even get a receipt (.71cents) so I took it and left. I will find out and let you know.

8122pbrainard wrote: srbranum wrote: Understand, but the reason I say it has to be a half nut is because a regular lock nut is too thick and will overrun on to the area where the vent hose is attached thus the name "half nut". The nylon nut that came off of it is about the thickness of one of the black ends of an Oreo Cookie. Scott, Did I say regular nut? No, you assumed that. What nut's are you looking at??? I didn't even say "half nut". Here's a pipe thread "locknut": Pipe locknuts at McMaster Carr

Pete,

Did you get my email. 3/4-16 Jam nut.

Thanks,

Scott