Bilge pumps-auto setting not working.

[edbulmer]

I have 3 bilge pumps and they all work on 2 settings-one manual which works off of a breaker and two- the auto. side which runs straight off of a fuse (no breaker) and the fuses seem to be okay. So why all of a sudden does the auto. side not work? The only thing I have done recently is to change the battery on that side of the panel. Any suggestions appreciated.

[robert sailor]

If its happening to all 3 then I can't help you but if its just one of them its not uncommon that the float switch is the problem.

[DeepFrz]

Ice?

I really don't understand how you have them hooked up. Maybe a diagram would help but if you have changed a battery then I would suggest you follow the wire from the pump back to the battery. Check with a volt meter both positive and negative side. Most probably a bad connection that was disturbed when you changed the battery.

[skipmac]

If the bilge pumps are controlled by a switch that has OFF, ON (or MANUAL) and AUTOMATIC positions then all these units I am familiar with have only one power connection to the battery, the line with the fuse in it. The other wires go to ground or the automatic float switch.

If the switch is set on manual or on, then it sends power directly to the bilge pump. If set to automatic then power is sent first to the float switch and then IF the float switch (or you might have an electronic sensor, optical or other type of automatic switch) sees water THEN power goes to the pump.

So, first activate the water switch (float or whatever kind you have) and see if the pump comes on. If you have a meter and know how to use it, check to see if 12V power is going to the float switch when the system is switched to automatic.