Bilge Pump Wiring

[Eric Gordon]

I am installing a new bilge pump and at the same time rewiring it directly to the battery. I want to make sure I’m doing it right.

Quite honestly, even after reading all the posts here, I’m still a wee bit confused about the electronics of it all….(I should have paid a LOT more attention in Electric Shop at Junior High School).

 

[Pete the Cat]

No. That is not right. The fuse will blow. Do you have a 3 wire bilge pump? (one that works on manual and automatic?). That would determine the wiring.

 

[Eric Gordon]

I was going to order the Rule 1100 Standard Bilge Pump from Defender….

I should probably do a little more digging to find the electric specs/diagram for it and then get back here.

The current pump, keeps blowing the fuse after working (for the six years, I've had the boat) just fine. As part of this, I thought it prodent to replace all the wiring and wire direct to the battery so that the pump will function regardless of where my master switch is.

I also have a On/Off/Auto switch already in place.

 

[peaman]

 

[Loren Beach]

If you feel like you just gotta wire anything directly to your battery, Blue Seas makes a well engineered terminal that meets all current safety rules. I use it for voltage sensing wires and one other circuit that needed to avoid the main panel.

Further... if you have not yet bought a certrifugal pump please do consider a more-reliable diaphram Jabsco pump.

Jabsco Shower & Bilge Pump - 2.8 Gpm - 12v

Jabsco 37202 Shower and Bilge Pump37202 Shower and Bilge PumpFlow Rate Nominal 13 Litresmin 3 USgallonsminSelfpriming from dry up to 2m 6ftFeaturesQuiet running and fully corrosion resistantCosntructed from corrosion resistant materialsSuppl...

www.hodgesmarine.com

 

[Eric Gordon]

View attachment 51207

Thanks for this!

 

[Christian Williams]

Since you're in there, here's my think-through on bilge pumps.

E381 - Ericson 38-- Bilge Pump Systems and Considerations

What are bilge pumps for? I admit that for the first half of my life I figured they were there to keep the boat from sinking. But of course, they won't. Not even the manual Whale diaphragm that came with the boat will do that. Surely not the...

ericsonyachts.org

 

[Eric Gordon]

If you feel like you just gotta wire anything directly to your battery, Blue Seas makes a well engineered terminal that meets all current safety rules. I use it for voltage sensing wires and one other circuit that needed to avoid the main panel.

Further... if you have not yet bought a certrifugal pump please do consider a more-reliable diaphram Jabsco pump.

Jabsco Shower & Bilge Pump - 2.8 Gpm - 12v

Jabsco 37202 Shower and Bilge Pump37202 Shower and Bilge PumpFlow Rate Nominal 13 Litresmin 3 USgallonsminSelfpriming from dry up to 2m 6ftFeaturesQuiet running and fully corrosion resistantCosntructed from corrosion resistant materialsSuppl...

www.hodgesmarine.com

I’m going with this pump and the fuse system. FYI, my E27 bilge is much deeper than those of you with bigger boats, so I will continue to let the pump remain in the upper part of the bilge area (marked with an X in the circle showing the deeper part of the bilge).

 

[Eric Gordon]

Since you're in there, here's my think-through on bilge pumps.

E381 - Ericson 38-- Bilge Pump Systems and Considerations

What are bilge pumps for? I admit that for the first half of my life I figured they were there to keep the boat from sinking. But of course, they won't. Not even the manual Whale diaphragm that came with the boat will do that. Surely not the...

ericsonyachts.org

Thanks!
That article/blog post is just one of a plethora of reasons this forum is so valuable! And I like the idea of the filters too.[/url]

 

[Frank Langer]

The fuse for my bilge pump tends to blow if I haven't run it for a while and the rubber impellor gets stuck. The solution
is to sand the edges of the impellor a bit so it doesn't fit so tightly , and to run it briefly more often.
Frank

 

[Kenneth K]

I was going to order the Rule 1100 Standard Bilge Pump from Defender….

The Rule 1100 says it uses a 1" or 1-1/8" hose size. Most Ericson bilge hoses are 3/4," except for the manual Whale Gusher which is 1-1/2.". Unless you have a 1" to 1-1/8" discharge hose, you're probably better off getting a Rule 800. Otherwise, you're just using more power to push water through a constricted hose, and likely not getting much more flow. Also, it's good that you're using a separate float switch. The Rule "automatic" pumps with a built-in switch are a poor design.

The fuse for my bilge pump tends to blow if I haven't run it for a while and the rubber impellor gets stuck. The solution
is to sand the edges of the impellor a bit so it doesn't fit so tightly , and to run it briefly more often.

I think the type of pump Frank is talking about, with a tight-fitting rubber impeller, is different from the basic Rule centrifugal pumps. The Rules have more of a fixed "fan blade" that doesn't contact any of the surrounding pump case, so there is really nothing in the pump that can get "stuck."

 

[Eric Gordon]

Well, I’m at the boat now uninstalling the old rule 2000 bilge pump… And checking where the wires are going…

The pump is/was situated just at the top of the sump (bilge)

as you can see from the photo the pump is beyond it’s useful life, which is probably why it kept burning fuses whenever I tried to run it… I also know, after reading all of your comments and replies that this pump was never going to pump any water because the water never reached that level… Thus was never triggered. So, anytime I manually activated the pump, it was just sucking air.

This is my first time posting photos from my phone at the boat so you’ll forgive me if they don’t rotate properly.

 

[Eric Gordon]

I took a trip to Minney’s and they have several excellent condition JABSCO diaphragm bilge pumps… You know the old kind with the belts… There’s even one that comes with a repair kit w/all of the rubber needed… And it’s only $115. Thoughts?

 

[peaman]

I took a trip to Minney’s and they have several excellent condition JABSCO diaphragm bilge pumps… You know the old kind with the belts… There’s even one that comes with a repair kit w/all of the rubber needed… And it’s only $115. Thoughts?

A functional Jabsco diaphragm pump for $115 is a good deal. Disassemble the pump end and check that the check valves are flexible, not cracked, and no corrosion or damage on the seats. Make sure diaphragm is likewise in good condition. Lube the mechanical bits if possible and put it to work.

 

[Christian Williams]

For comparison, here's the updated version of my Jabsco diaphragm pump for $292:

Jabsco 37202 Shower & Bilge Pump 12V | eBay

Flow rate: Nominal 13 Litres/min (3 USgallons/min) <br> <br>Self-priming from dry up to 2m (6ft) <br> <ul> <li>Flow Rate: 3 GPM, Port Size: 3/4"</li> <li>Nominal Voltage: 12 Volt DC, Max. Current Draw: 8 Amps, Fuse: 10 Amp </li> <li>Ignition Protected, Supplied with Pumpgard...

www.ebay.com

 

[Eric Gordon]

While messing around in the rats nest, that is my wiring on Sea Star to see how I will wire my bilge pump,I have messed something up… now my VHF won’t power up.

As I look at the interior of one of two panels that contain similar looking nests, I realize that I am looking at several nearly 40-year-old pieces of equipment…

At this point, I simply want to get some “piece of mind” with regards to the bilge pump…

So I’ve resigned myself to do whatever I can today too get a working bilge pump situation going, even if I have to go to West Marine, and buy a rule pump as a stopgap measure until I get all my wiring straightened out.

With regards the VHF, it’s got a power switch on the 1974 panel that was installed on the boat when new (see pic), but it’s such a complicated mess. I might have to come up with some other way of doing this.

I know I’m going to have to almost start from scratch so to speak as far as the wiring because there are wires there that are labeled “ bad “wire and others that are just sitting there and I don’t know what they’re connected to.

So I’ll finish off the bilge pump as quickly as I can and go to the wiring.

Anybody know an electrician in Dana point? Someone’s who’s affable and willing to teach while helping me bring this mess up to state-of-the-art, or at least modern.

Or is anybody well-versed enough in boat electronics that they are willing to assist me?
I’m willing to negotiate an hourly rate.

I’m reading some of the cruising books that I have with regards to electrical, but they’re very general and don’t address the specifics that I’m looking at

 

[bigd14]

I would encourage you to learn and do as much of the work as you can. You’ll end up saving a ton of money and you will know the system (and more importantly how to repair it) inside and out. Nigel Calders book is indispensable and a good start:

https://www.amazon.com/Boatowners-Mechanical-Electrical-Manual-Essential/dp/0071432388

Another great resource is here: https://marinehowto.com/

Blue Sea systems has great resources too, and their equipment is top notch. https://www.bluesea.com/

Much of the time spent on these projects is planning the system. The Ericson group here is great about reviewing your electrical plans and (gently) pointing out any issues or suggestions. Draw it out in great detail, and refine it as you get more familiar with the requirements. The actual work will be so much easier if you have a solid plan to work from. Oh and label your wires obsessively!

I knew nothing about wiring boats when I redid my 27 and it turned out to be one of my favorite jobs. The 27 shouldn’t require anything more than a straightforward basic system. Go for it!

edit: this thread documents my E27 electrical plan. https://ericsonyachts.org/ie/threads/electrical-system-question.9402/

 

[Eric Gordon]

I would encourage you to learn and do as much of the work as you can. You’ll end up saving a ton of money and you will know the system (and more importantly how to repair it) inside and out. Nigel Calders book is indispensable and a good start:

https://www.amazon.com/Boatowners-Mechanical-Electrical-Manual-Essential/dp/0071432388

Another great resource is here: https://marinehowto.com/

Blue Sea systems has great resources too, and their equipment is top notch. https://www.bluesea.com/

Much of the time spent on these projects is planning the system. The Ericson group here is great about reviewing your electrical plans and (gently) pointing out any issues or suggestions. Draw it out in great detail, and refine it as you get more familiar with the requirements. The actual work will be so much easier if you have a solid plan to work from. Oh and label your wires obsessively!

I knew nothing about wiring boats when I redid my 27 and it turned out to be one of my favorite jobs. The 27 shouldn’t require anything more than a straightforward basic system. Go for it!

edit: this thread documents my E27 electrical plan. https://ericsonyachts.org/ie/threads/electrical-system-question.9402/

Thank you… It’s very easy to get frustrated…

Interestingly enough I have been reading this afternoon, Nigel Calders, cruising handbook… I’ll probably order the mech/electrical book which he even mentions in the cruising manual.

I am very happy to be have all of the advice and suggestions from members of this forum And I agree with you that simplicity is best. I don’t need anything more than the required running lights, vhf, cabin lights, bilge pump (which began this entire journey into rewiring).

After reading Christian Williams’ blog on rewiring I started to get a little bit concerned, but I’m just gonna push through it and get it done even if it takes weeks.

That said as long as I can start the engine, I can still go sailing even with all these issues.

Again, thanks

 

[Eric Gordon]

I would encourage you to learn and do as much of the work as you can. You’ll end up saving a ton of money and you will know the system (and more importantly how to repair it) inside and out. Nigel Calders book is indispensable and a good start:

https://www.amazon.com/Boatowners-Mechanical-Electrical-Manual-Essential/dp/0071432388

Another great resource is here: https://marinehowto.com/

Blue Sea systems has great resources too, and their equipment is top notch. https://www.bluesea.com/

Much of the time spent on these projects is planning the system. The Ericson group here is great about reviewing your electrical plans and (gently) pointing out any issues or suggestions. Draw it out in great detail, and refine it as you get more familiar with the requirements. The actual work will be so much easier if you have a solid plan to work from. Oh and label your wires obsessively!

I knew nothing about wiring boats when I redid my 27 and it turned out to be one of my favorite jobs. The 27 shouldn’t require anything more than a straightforward basic system. Go for it!

edit: this thread documents my E27 electrical plan. https://ericsonyachts.org/ie/threads/electrical-system-question.9402/

I just finished reading/viewing/digesting your E27 electrical plan. That was an immense help taking a couple steps forward in understanding.

 

[bsangs]

So I’ve resigned myself to do whatever I can today too get a working bilge pump situation going, even if I have to go to West Marine, and buy a rule pump as a stopgap measure until I get all my wiring straightened out.

Just an FYI, there's absolutely nothing wrong with the Rule bilge pump. I use the non-automatic Rule 1500 with a separate float switch and it works like a champ. I had a separate issue that was the result of the way the previous owner had run the hoses, but that was rectified. Have no problem recommending the Rule.