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02-21-2018, 05:02 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
City: Woodbridge UK
Vessel Name: MV Content
Vessel Model: Fellows & Stewart 58' Pilothouse Cutter
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 116
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Wiring a backup switch to a bilge pump
As I understand it, the most common fail-point on a bilge pumping arrangement is the switch, and not the pump itself.
So how would I wire a second, higher, float switch, to the same pump? Installing a second thru-hull is not possible in this particular location.
Thanks in advance!
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02-21-2018, 05:30 AM
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#2
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Guru
City: Ft Pierce
Vessel Name: Sold
Vessel Model: Was an Albin/PSN 40
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 28,149
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one pump one thtough hull.
just wire the switch in paralell.
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02-21-2018, 05:32 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
City: LAFAYETTE,LA
Vessel Name: Relenti
Vessel Model: Atlantic 30, 1983
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 451
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Just wire in second switch to pump at connections of existing switch. Locate new switch a little higher if you want to.
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02-21-2018, 08:23 AM
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#4
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TF Site Team
City: Jacksonville
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 11,682
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We have a second switch in each bilge about 2” higher than the one on the pump. The second switch is wired to an alarm only. I have the pumps wired to separate leds in the pilot house. When the pumps goes the light goes on. If it stays on I need to take a look. If there’s a major egress of water, the second switch tells me pretty quickly with the audible alarm. It sounds complicated but it’s pretty simple.
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02-21-2018, 08:47 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
City: Woodbridge UK
Vessel Name: MV Content
Vessel Model: Fellows & Stewart 58' Pilothouse Cutter
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 116
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Thanks guys..... I'd been scratching my head about where and how to put a second thru-hull, and, as usual, the answer was a simple one. Cheers.
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02-21-2018, 03:34 PM
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#6
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Guru
City: North Carolina for now
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 6,348
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Or just pony up and buy a really really good switch to begin with.
__________________
George
"There's the Right Way, the Wrong Way, and what some guy says he's gotten away with"
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02-21-2018, 05:05 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
City: Woodbridge UK
Vessel Name: MV Content
Vessel Model: Fellows & Stewart 58' Pilothouse Cutter
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 116
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Quote:
Originally Posted by caltexflanc
Or just pony up and buy a really really good switch to begin with.
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Yeah, I've got Ultra already.....but one of those went bad last year. Nothing's safe.
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02-22-2018, 09:02 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
City: Washington
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 468
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A second (backup) switch for the bilge pump would be wired in parallel with the first switch. To put it in more simple terms, the two wires from the new switch connect to the same place as the wires from the first switch.
Test everything with water when you're finished to make sure you've done this correctly.
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02-22-2018, 10:32 AM
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#9
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TF Site Team
City: Saltspring Island
Vessel Name: Retreat
Vessel Model: C&L 44
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,663
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Are Backup switches really necessary?
Years ago, when I had a switch failure, the experts(?) at the store recommended I change brands to try to find a switch that would last, as switches were a very common point of failure. I did so, but was unhappy with the results. after a few tries, I was then told (by the same experts) that Rule switches had improved so much that I shouldn't have failures any more. My present set of switches are all Rule switches, all about the same age, 15 to 20 yrs old, all still performing perfectly well. I test them regularly, keep debris out of hte bilge and all is well.
__________________
Keith
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