aft bilge pump stuck on

[special k]

my aft pump had a blown fuse so when i replaced it i noticed it was continually on. i checked the float for obstruction and my switch seems enclosed. is the switch servicable or a throw away unit? i have not removed it yet.

thanks all!

[DougSea]

Which switch do you have? It's possible that there's something jammed in the housing. That said I had a Rule float switch on our 28 that moved just fine but something had happened to it internally that would cause it to run continuously and kill my battery (boat was on a mooring).

Cheap insurance to replace it if there's any doubt.

[special k]

i'll be doing that and other boat chores since my sharkin trip will be postponed

also need to know the location of the mid pump which is malfunctioning.
2002 28te

[Cape Codder]

Had the same problem. Removed fuse from dash.....AND THE PUMP STILL RAN!!!!!
Whacked the float switch with deck brush handle......problem solved!!!!

[JackK]

Based on my recent adventure with a stuck float switch, replace the switch ASAP. It just isn't worth the risk. My bilge pump switch had stuck on a few times and a quick wack with the scrub brush solved the problem. Then without my knowledge, the aft switch stuck in the off position when I really needed it.

You can read my adventure in a post about high water alarms.
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=5728

Jack

[DougSea]

Had the same problem. Removed fuse from dash.....AND THE PUMP STILL RAN!!!!!
Whacked the float switch with deck brush handle......problem solved!!!!

This would be because there are 2 12v feeds to most automatic bilge pumps. One that's switched (your dash fuse), and one that feeds off of an always hot buss. Both should be fused independently.

[JackK]

Had the same problem. Removed fuse from dash.....AND THE PUMP STILL RAN!!!!!
Whacked the float switch with deck brush handle......problem solved!!!!

This would be because there are 2 12v feeds to most automatic bilge pumps. One that's switched (your dash fuse), and one that feeds off of an always hot buss. Both should be fused independently.

On my 03 flush deck there is a fuse block mounted to the bulkhead wall just forward of the fuel tank. It is a red fuse block. On the flush decks, it is subject to water dripping on it from the hatch above and will eventually fail. After mine failed, I fashioned a top lid to redirect the water away from the block.

This block is wired directly to the battery and is the constant power source for all three bilge pumps.

[RobS]

[On my 03 flush deck there is a fuse block mounted to the bulkhead wall just forward of the fuel tank. It is a red fuse block.

Is it one of these maxi fuse blocks?

[JackK]

[On my 03 flush deck there is a fuse block mounted to the bulkhead wall just forward of the fuel tank. It is a red fuse block.

Is it one of these maxi fuse blocks?

Yup that's the one. My wiring isn't as neatly dressed as yours

[RobS]

That's not mine, I just grabbed that image off the web. There is way too much stuff crammed in our 28's to have something as barren as that!

[special k]

still need to know where my mid pump is

[DougSea]

still need to know where my mid pump is

Can you follow the discharge hose back to it? It may be in the sump(*) under the engine.

(*) - dark, inaccessible, mysterious place

[special k]

i was afraid of that....two pumps plus that unique hand pump should serve me well enough.

[efishnsea]

I found my mid bilge pump under my 4D battery

[RobS]

On an eng box the pump is remote mounted art of the water heater near the holding tank, the pickup tube lays down in the bilge under the engine. The FD is different, as noted above by Bob.