Bilge Pumps*******please read

[socalmike]

Rewired my stern bilge pump today only to find the wiring quite corroded and barely working. When I went to separate the wires, one of the wires to the float switch fell off the connector. I am guessing this is original to the boat. 2001 28 Te. Just a heads up as this is important should something go wrong and requiring the flat/pump.

[catalina_mike]

Mike mine were all pretty crappy.. Actually they removed the aft so I ran new 3 conductor cable and added a big boy back there. They also pulled the shower sump assembly and let it drain into the bilge.. I don't think I'll ever shower on her bur also added the correct assembly. I have the dait tank ready to roll.. Thanks for the fitting I did a different location as I couldn't see me getting under the swim step to disconnect easily. Afterall her name is Dive Inn not Fish Inn. Thanks again..

[Pedro]

Catalina Mike, My boat has no switch for an aft bilge pump but I do see a pump way Down there that seems to be disconnected.(dark and crowded area)my disconnected one seems to be forward of the fuel tank,Did your aft pump have a seperate discharge and switch?im wondering if mine was jury rigged to just pump the water forward to the midship pump,

[catalina_mike]

Mine had three switches forward bilge, bilge, aft bilge. The bilge switch went to the diaphram pump that serves the area under the engine. The one I pulled new wire for is in the rudder area. Not much use there but if a hose fails I want all the pump I can get.

[Pedro]

I have never seen a diaphragm pump in use I bet that's the motor I'm seeing it doesn't look like a bilge pump,I will look into its mounting and wiring? It definitely doesn't work but now I know what kind of pump it is,do they usually have float switches? I don't see one,

[catalina_mike]

Its hard to see the float as it is down in the keel under the motor.

[Pedro]

if there is a float switch it will be hard to see,maybe they abandoned the pump when it quit and stole the switch location for an accessory?

[SJR]

I just put a new Mid Bilge pump in , and was working fine, at least i though so. after returning home for a few days after a long boat trip, the mid bilge is not forcing the water out, took the motor out disconnected the hose and its pushing water however not enough to get over the high part of the U shaped hose vent. I hooked up a water hose and blew it out to make sure it wasn't clogged, hooked up a sump pump to the out flow hose and that worked. I have a 1000 mph pump thats brand new in the mid. Can anyone tell me if thats not enough power? I checked hose clamps, its got power, I was thinking it may be a suction issue? Spent all day taping, disconnecting , reconnecting ... and nothing. the original pump was a 1000 mph.

[catalina_mike]

The bilge is a dirty messy place. I think that is why the factory went with a diaphram (trash ) pump. Mine has an inline screen that requires cleaning. Your replacement pump could be plugged up or have insufficient lift.

[Chuckatuck Ray]

Pedro, I too have a diaphragm pump on my boat. Mine is set-up just like Mike’s boat. I have three toggle switches on the instrument panel and they operate bilge pumps in the cabin, under the engine and aft of the engine. My diaphragm pump does have a float switch. The hose on the suction side of the diaphragm pump runs to a cavity, in the bilge, directly under the front-end of the engine. If the unit does not operate when powered on or when the float switch is lifted, check the fuse that is adjacent to the toggle switch, to insure it has not blown. My unit has a strainer on the suction side of the pump. I check my strainer a few times a year to make sure it is clear.
I purchased my boat new in 1998 and after owning it for few years I had a hose leak on the discharge side of the raw water pump. That’s when I discovered that the aft bilge pump was installed but never wired to the power source! Maybe the bilge pump was installed on a Monday?
Best regards,
Ray
1998 Albin 28TE
Cummins engine, 6BTA5.9m3

[Pedro]

There is no third bilge switch on my panel,toward bilge,main bilge, there is a switch re-labeled "acc,"that powers the 12v plug located next to steering wheel, I'm guessing that was the third bilge switch,I'll investigate further next time on on the boat, Thanks,Pete

[Jeremyvmd]

Mine has three switches as well. All three are two position. With a frwd and rear for manual in and a third switch that controls the float switches. I also added an extra pump behind the factory genset and that one is hardwired in. But that was my add-on

[Chuckatuck Ray]

Pedro,
All of my bilge pumps discharge on the starboard side of my Albin 27TE.
Best regards,
Ray

[Pedro]

Update! Today I crawled into the bilge and found the float switch that was originally installed, it was filthy but probably works except for there is no longer a diaphragm pump installed. I was able to figure out what hose goes to where.The thru hulll for the original pump Seems to used for something else.Hatch drain for the center hatch?Possibly the forward bilge pump or shower sump.
Im not sure how to install a new aft bilge pump.Should I run a wire direct from the battery for an auto bilge pump? Should I drilll another overboard thru hull or steal the shower sump as we never use it,
Or the hatch drain? And send that water elsewhere.

[catalina_mike]

I brought my wire for my new aft "rudder area not under the engine" to the old switch panel. That way your wiring will be consistent. The exsisting electrical panel has the battery buss there already. Don't go adding a bunch of one offs on the battery it just gets messy. IMO I drilled a new thru hull forward of the exsisting ones strb side.