Make bilge pump stop when low water in bilge?

[Luc Lafreniere]

Hi, my 2015 165 has one of those yellow "low profile" bilge pumps. It works and things are mostly good.

When it rains and the cover is off, it will pump the water out just fine but when the water is very low in the bilge, it will keep trying to pump the water and never succeed. The water sensor must know there's water but the pump can't actually pump it. I usually have to go stand on the back corner of the boat, let the water drain to the bilge and pump that out. Then get off and it will stop. Alternatively, I've wired it to the master red switch and can turn it off, but I'd rather it pump the water out and just stop.

Anybody found an easy solution? Different type of pump? Something wrong with the switch (no idea what type of switch these use)? etc. My current other solution is to install a second pump farther back in the bilge so that it pumps the last of the water and hope that this new pump work better than the stock one.

Thanks.

 

[Gbd165]

I had the same problem with my new 2018 165, although once the pump started, you could only stop it by disconnecting the battery.
My dealer decided it was best to replace the pump with a traditional unit with a float switch.

 

[Luc Lafreniere]

Yeah, I had this issue before, I rewired it to the master switch after consultation here. But it's still annoying and would like to find a good solution. So it sounds like that type of bilge pump just isn't great.

I'll start shopping for a traditional one in that case unless somebody else chimes in with a better solution.

 

[Gbd165]

I can send you a picture of the installation if you like?

 

[Luc Lafreniere]

I certainly wouldn't say no! Thanks!

 

[Gbd165]

They originally had the float switch a little higher up, and I had them move it down.

 

[Luc Lafreniere]

Gotcha! I see how they did it. And yeah, I definitely want the pump to remove as much water as possible but not actually keep running. This helps. Thank you!

 

[ALAN MANN SR.]

You have to keep the flat portion clean, because that is what causes the pump to be automatic. when that is covered with water it will pump for a few minutes after the water is pumped out. I had problems with the auto part so I replaced the pump with the same pump. Have had no problems to date. May have had a bad batch of pumps when installed in the boats.

 

[Luc Lafreniere]

Yeah, it's clean. I checked. But interesting that the same pump now works... I may do a bit of testing with this pump first before buying either the float style or the same pump again.

 

[Jgorm]

Add a float switch.

 

[ALAN MANN SR.]

No, I replaced the pump with a new one of the same brand (Whale Supersub Smart 650)

 

[swatski]

Add a float switch.

x2
Use a simple pump with a float switch, built in or separate.
Those whale superb pumps are designed for small spaces and are know to have issues priming the water flow. Exactly what the OP is describing.
Better suited for a kayak.

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