CD 31 Bilge Pump

[guy leslie]

Can anyone tell me how the electric bilge pump is secured? Recently I dropped a screw driver through the hatch located under the galley sinks. I'm thinking this caused some damage as the pump will no longer operate with the switch in the "auto" setting. It will, however, operate in the "manual" setting. If I ever have to replace the pump, I'm just not sure how it is held in place---way below. Plenty of time as spring, unfortunately, is a ways off....
Thanks in advance,
Guy

[robh]

Bilge pumps tend to be hooked up slightly differently on every boat. It sounds like your screw driver may have hit your float switch. Since you mention it has an auto option, there is a good chance your screwdriver drop is holding down this float switch, or knocked loose the wire(s) leading to or from the float switch (or water sensor depending on how it was installed.)

I replaced my float type sensor with a solid state water witch type sensor, which so far (1.5 years) is working great.

I'd check and trace the wires from your bilge pump switch (where it has on/off/auto) and also check the float switch. You should be able to reach down and lift up the float, which will trigger the pump. If it doesn't trigger, something is likely malfunctioning with that particular section (the float switch and its wiring.)

(Yes, I realize I own a CD28, not a CD27, but my understanding is they shipped these boats with the manual bilge pump, but the automatic one I've seen in each CD has been different. This could be due to them not shipping with them, or the fact an electric bilge pump gets use and dies over time.)

Hope that helps!

[jen1722terry]

Just a note on the Water Witch bilge pump switch:

We installed one two years ago and had problems with keeping the two electrodes clean. At the time, we still had our old engine and water heater, both of which leaked water a bit which found itself in the bilge. The fix was to elevate the Water Witch
switch 1.5 inches on a block of wood to keep bilge water from sloshing on it and getting it dirty.

BTW, our pump, a Rule 3700, and the switch are both mounted on a piece of Star Board plastic that just fits in the bottom of the bilge. This make is easy to just pull the whole thing up by the outlet hose for servicing.

Happy pumping!

Terry

[Keith]

I also use a piece of starboard to mount the float switch and the suction hose. I mounted 1/2 of an old shaft zinc to weight the starboard down. I still have the remote rotary pump that is mounted aft of the fuel filter and to the left of the engine which is why there is only a hose on the starboard. Not sure if this was factory or not. I also have a Rule 1000 gal per hour pump as a back up and the manual cockpit mounted hand pump. You can never have enough bilge pumps.

Keith

[Keith]

I also use a piece of starboard to mount the float switch and the suction hose. I mounted 1/2 of an old shaft zinc to weight the starboard down. I still have the remote rotary pump that is mounted aft of the fuel filter and to the left of the engine which is why there is only a hose on the starboard. Not sure if this was factory or not. I also have a Rule 1000 gal per hour pump as a back up and the manual cockpit mounted hand pump. You can never have enough bilge pumps.

Keith