Intermittent Bilge
Printed From: CorrectCraftFan.com
Category: Repairs and Maintenance
Forum Name: Boat Maintenance
Forum Discription: Discuss maintenance of your Correct Craft
URL: http://www.CorrectCraftFan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=41866
Printed Date: November-16-2024 at 2:22am
Topic: Intermittent Bilge
Posted By: BaccoBouncer
Subject: Intermittent Bilge
Date Posted: September-01-2017 at 4:40pm
I'll start off by saying, "Yes I did search through old topics to see if I could find an answer". I have two Rule 500 GPH bilge pumps which are "computer controlled" what ever that means and is likely the root of the problem. The pumps seem to come on and off at random times.
Scenario: Boat has a bunch of water in it and the Bilge power was not on while not in use. (I don't like to rain the battery and the boat is behind my house int eh water so if there is a bunch of rain I can turn them on
I turn on the bilge power. Nothing happens. Then after a couple of minutes (or maybe not at all) one pump will just start going. Then it will stop a few minutes later. 15 minutes later one of the two will come on again and then go off again after a few minutes. They stop before the boat bilge water is below pump level. No, I don't have a leak. I can open the engine cover to see they are still working on the same collected water but strangely taking breaks while they work, or don't work. Took out screens they are not clogged.
So crappy pumps or is there something else going on that might be indicative that they are both doing it at the same time.
Thanks
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'97 21' Sport Nautique
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Replies:
Posted By: Gary S
Date Posted: September-01-2017 at 5:14pm
If it's anything like my 95 it could be something else, will have to see what other 97 owners say. There is a water level switch, brand named Water Witch so google that,it controls the pumps and does need to be cleaned. My oem pumps are Atwood's but that doesn't matter,that switch will run any pump
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http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1711&sort=&pagenum=1&yrstart=1966&yrend=1970" rel="nofollow - 69 Mustang HM SS
95 Nautique Super Sport
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Posted By: 76tique
Date Posted: September-01-2017 at 5:17pm
It sounds like you have two of these:
https://www.westmarine.com/buy/rule-industries--automatic-bilge-pump--P000491928?recordNum=3" rel="nofollow - Rule 500 Automatic
They are supposed to cycle on every 2 1/2 minutes and stay on if the pump senses a load on the impeller, that is how the automatic function works. I am guessing that the electronics sense the amp draw to determine if water is there. They sometimes act funky like you are describing when they get older. I am personally not a fan of this type of automatic pump as they tend to wear out faster than others due to the automatic cycling, not to mention they run the battery down for no reason when there is no water in the bilge. I used to run a big motoryacht with these pumps in several "nuisance water" areas, and found they usually lasted about a year under constant duty. Folks usually install them for ease of wiring or tight space constraints. I suggest changing out for a standard pump with floatswitch.
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He who dies with the most toys, wins
http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=5648&sort=&pagenum=2" rel="nofollow - 1984 SN2001 - sold
1976 Ski Tique - Sold
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Posted By: BaccoBouncer
Date Posted: September-01-2017 at 6:00pm
So I want non-automatic but I will have to add a float switch. Or should I skip the float switch too?
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'97 21' Sport Nautique
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Posted By: Gary S
Date Posted: September-01-2017 at 6:12pm
Are you the original owner? Did you put the Rule pumps in? If no I'd check and see if there is a Correct Craft installed switch that may be conflicting with the ones in the pump then. My switch is mounted by the back pump just in front of the rudder but is wired to control both pumps
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http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1711&sort=&pagenum=1&yrstart=1966&yrend=1970" rel="nofollow - 69 Mustang HM SS
95 Nautique Super Sport
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Posted By: frydaddy
Date Posted: September-01-2017 at 6:20pm
I recently had bad luck with a computer controlled Rule 500 GPH bilge pump. Long story short I had a large leak and the pump did not come on. Water made it to the floor level before I noticed. I was able to get the pump started by the manual start feature. If I had left the boat unattended overnight it would have been at the bottom of the lake. That was the bilge pumps maiden and last voyage. I replaced it with a pump with a built in float switch.
Frydaddy
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Frydaddy
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Posted By: BaccoBouncer
Date Posted: September-01-2017 at 6:33pm
I'll take a look for a stock float switch. That could be it. I did not install the automatics. I'm just going to get rid of them. If there is not a correct craft automatic switch I'll put in a Rule brand one that goes with the rule pumps.
Thanks
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'97 21' Sport Nautique
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