Bilge Pump Repairs

Post by **Markus** » Wed Nov 09, 2005 10:17 am

The problem: Bilge keeps blowing the 5amp fuse.

Recently at quinte, I had my bilge give out on me.

First off....we unearth do people design things that are impossible to reach!

After getting my bilge out, the problem was obvious. The shaft on the bilge was bound solid. The garbage twisted around it was made up off ladys hair, weeds, and powerpro clippings.

I cleaned it up, but it still blew the fuses when I reconected it. I figured the stress must have ruined it and decided to pic a new replacement motor up for it. $25. While I was at the boat shop, I picked up a second complete 500 gph bilge for a future back up.

I reinstalled the new bilge motor last night and it's working great.

A couple maitence practices I picked up for the future.

1. I'm going to install external screens over my floor ports to prevent debri from getting under the floor.

2. The float switch also had a lot of slimmy crude in it and was hard to trigger. After cleaning it up, it turns on very easily now. I'm gonna inspect that regularly now.

3. Regular inspection of the bilge to avoid junk from building up on it.

This is what I like about fixing things yourself. I'm no machinic by any stretch, but doing a few easy jobs yourself really helps you understand your boat better.

Post by **crash** » Wed Nov 09, 2005 11:02 am

Glad to hear you got it working.
If a litle fishing line can cause that bit of trouble, imaginge when a lot get careless toss out.
Did you get the clamp on the overflow tightened that you thought was part of the trouble.

Post by **Markus** » Wed Nov 09, 2005 11:09 am

No, I have it temparly plugged right now. I'm shopping for 1.2" removeable plug at the moment. I can't find one. Checked TSC, Proctors and CT. I'm gonna call a few pool supply companies today and see if they have something that will work.

If not, I'm going to seal it.

Post by **spinner** » Wed Nov 09, 2005 11:26 am

Markus wrote:No, I have it temparly plugged right now. I'm shopping for 1.2" removeable plug at the moment. I can't find one. Checked TSC, Proctors and CT. I'm gonna call a few pool supply companies today and see if they have something that will work.

If not, I'm going to seal it.

Markus- As it's not a std size, I would call a local marine dealer and they should be able to order one in for you. I think that some older aluminum boats even had that size in them. If you still can't get one let me know and I'll give you a link to a supplier in the U.S. but you should be able to get one locally.

Post by **Markus** » Wed Nov 09, 2005 11:28 am

Thanks Spinner, I'm calling now!

Post by **M.T. Livewell** » Wed Nov 09, 2005 12:19 pm

So now we have to wear hair nets to fish in your boat?

Luckily, I have no hair left to lose, so I know it ain't mine in your pump.

You'd be amazed what you can learn about your boat by looking in the "nether-regions" ... those spots where the manufacturer never intented for the owner to look. Like everything, manufacturers are trying to keep costs down and can get a little cheap in those places.
Ask spinner about the missing and undersized nuts, bolts and washers for the seat bases in the VIP. Had me a little nervous about take out some of my heftier passengers.

Glad you got it worked out Markus.

M.T. Livewell

Post by **M.T. Livewell** » Wed Nov 09, 2005 12:21 pm

BTW, would it kill ya to snap a few pics now and then?

Would love to see the work in progress. You'll soon be Yogi Markus bending your body in ways it was never intended to bend to find access to some of those hard to reach items.

MT

Post by **Markus** » Wed Nov 09, 2005 1:08 pm

I will take some pics when doing future matenence. Picture reports in our new boat forum will be great.

Post by **bts** » Wed Nov 09, 2005 1:14 pm

I would highly recommend any bilge pump questions be forwarded to WIG.

His expertise was quite evident at Westmeath.

Post by **Markus** » Wed Nov 09, 2005 1:19 pm

Poor WIG. After our 2004 quinte trip, I now call my bailing bucket WIG.

Post by **steve-hamilton** » Wed Nov 09, 2005 1:39 pm

ya'll need tillers like mine, lol.

its all easy access....changing it was a breeze....

sure it plows water, and ya get soaked in two foot waves....

Post by **Wall-I-Guy** » Wed Nov 09, 2005 6:25 pm

Markus wrote:

Poor WIG. After our 2004 quinte trip, I now call my bailing bucket WIG.

bts wrote:I would highly recommend any bilge pump questions be forwarded to WIG. His expertise was quite evident at Westmeath.

You guys, always thinkin' of me

This forum comes around at an opportune time, I still have to get mine back to working automatically

Post by **grumpy7790** » Wed Nov 09, 2005 8:41 pm

Markus,
I would highly recommend installing a second bilge pump. One pump should be hooked up to an automatic switch while the other is hooked up to your manual dash switch. For extra protection, get a pump with an automatic switch built in on your manual pump. These pumps have the extra electrical lead for the manual switch.

G

Post by **Markus** » Wed Nov 09, 2005 9:35 pm

Grumpy, i just crimped clips on the end and attached a hose for my spare. I put it in my stoarage compartment with my spare prop, battery, cales, ect.

I figure I'll just clip it to the battery and use it when I need to and if I ever have to loan it to someone on the water I'll have it to them quickly.