How do I wire my bilge directly to the battery?

[meegwell]

So I learned in recent rain storms that my bilge will not run if the boat is off (not batteries off, just boat key). I would like to wire it straight to the battery so it runs when the boat is off. I see a few different wires coming out of it. Any help/input appreciated. 2018 242Xe

 

[Dave burke]

Is this the factory bilge? Not sure about the 2018 but my 2017 212X definitely runs with the key off if the house battery is on. But it’s not based on a float switch, it checks for water regularly and then drains it. And if I remember properly you need to put the bilge on automatic on the Connext screen. Your owners manual should have the details.

 

[David Martin]

Might have to change to a different pump than stock. My stock pump is automatic but it only works if Battery switch is on and the dash bilge switch is on. The pump turns on every 2 1/2 min if the pump feel no water resistance it shuts off for another 2 1/2 min.

This could be a battery problem(drain) in extended periods of non use. My boat is plugged in(tender charger)at lift, but I don't leave Main switch and dash switch on just does not feel right to me.

I'm think of adding a second pump(with flote switch) to be wired direct to batt....... having another 1100 GPH pump is good thing if you are taking on water.

 

[SandfleaDDH]

Check your fuse. If the main switch is on, the pump should run when needed even with the batteries off, and without cycling.

 

[meegwell]

Check your fuse. If the main switch is on, the pump should run when needed even with the batteries off, and without cycling.

The bilge works fine when the key is on (batteries always on) but I don't leave my boat at the marina with the key on. My manual reads under Helm Controls: Warning: if your boat is left in the water leave the main switch in the ON posiposition. This will allow the bilge to drain water...

It seems odd to me that I would be required to leave the key (main switch) in the on position when not with my boat.

 

[meegwell]

Might have to change to a different pump than stock. My stock pump is automatic but it only works if Battery switch is on and the dash bilge switch is on. The pump turns on every 2 1/2 min if the pump feel no water resistance it shuts off for another 2 1/2 min.

This could be a battery problem(drain) in extended periods of non use. My boat is plugged in(tender charger)at lift, but I don't leave Main switch and dash switch on just does not feel right to me.

I'm think of adding a second pump(with flote switch) to be wired direct to batt....... having another 1100 GPH pump is good thing if you are taking on water.

My manual metros it running every 2 min to check for water, and it does, but only if the key is in the on position.

 

[Babin Farms]

The bilge works fine when the key is on (batteries always on) but I don't leave my boat at the marina with the key on. My manual reads under Helm Controls: Warning: if your boat is left in the water leave the main switch in the ON posiposition. This will allow the bilge to drain water...

It seems odd to me that I would be required to leave the key (main switch) in the on position when not with my boat.

Do you have a main disconnect by the batteries??? I would assume they’re talking about that main switch.

 

[meegwell]

Is this the factory bilge? Not sure about the 2018 but my 2017 212X definitely runs with the key off if the house battery is on. But it’s not based on a float switch, it checks for water regularly and then drains it. And if I remember properly you need to put the bilge on automatic on the Connext screen. Your owners manual should have the details.

I can only find bilge ON and OFF related instructions in the manual. I will search around in connext. I believe it is stock bilge. Definitely will not run when key is off/out. We had some heavy rain and there was a LOT of water in the engine compartment the next day. Hopefully I find some sort of auto setting buried in the secret hard to find connext screens.

 

[meegwell]

Do you have a main disconnect by the batteries??? I would assume they’re talking about that main switch.

I do have the house/start/parallel switches at the batteries but the context of the section of the manual refers to the key as the main switch (since the boat is push button start).

 

[David Martin]

Once again Yamaha kills me with the lack of info on their systems. My Service Manual (states)for my 2013 makes reference to the bilge pump as after pumping water out if it feels no water resistance it will shut the pump off. That leads me to believe it has a pressure or flow switch to shut pump off so it will not dry run.

Operating Manual states that you should leave pump switch on(dash switch) if leaving boat in water, and during normal operation........making no reference to the Battery Main cut off switch. There is no mention of a float switch anywhere........ and I can verify I only saw 2 wires on my pump wires on my pump. Every pump that I have seen with internal floats or external had 3 wires or more to wire direct to batt and float switches.

It seems logical it could have a timing chip built in to turn on every few min checking for water resistance but man that would be a batt killer if you don't have her plugged in during lone periods of non use.

 

[watdog]

I can't believe there would be so many differences in bilge wiring. You should be able to look at the wiring and tell what's going on. On my 2018 SX210 the bilge pump has 3 wires. A ground, one to the switch on the helm and the third directly to the battery. The battery switch has to be on for the helm switch to work, but the float switch in the bilge pump will work with the switch off. Where my battery switch is there are two fuses, one that controls everything on the helm and a 5 amp that goes the always hot bilge pump wire. Discovered my bilge wasn't working when the switch was off and found the fuse blown. Not sure why that happened but it hasn't happened again.

If you do have a bilge pump that has to run every 2 minutes to sense water I would change the pump out to one with a float switch with 3 wires.

 

[meegwell]

I can't believe there would be so many differences in bilge wiring. You should be able to look at the wiring and tell what's going on. On my 2018 SX210 the bilge pump has 3 wires. A ground, one to the switch on the helm and the third directly to the battery. The battery switch has to be on for the helm switch to work, but the float switch in the bilge pump will work with the switch off. Where my battery switch is there are two fuses, one that controls everything on the helm and a 5 amp that goes the always hot bilge pump wire. Discovered my bilge wasn't working when the switch was off and found the fuse blown. Not sure why that happened but it hasn't happened again.

If you do have a bilge pump that has to run every 2 minutes to sense water I would change the pump out to one with a float switch with 3 wires.

Not realizing there may be a fuse dedicated to the always hot wire, I will check this next. Just got back from covering my boat at the marina because weather says rain all day and I shouldn't have to do that.