CTFishTalk.com: Bilge pump - Connecticut Boat Repair, Electronics, and Motor Help ( CT Boat Repair, Electronics, and Motor Help ) - A Community Built for Connecticut Fisherman.

bass tracker · Joined: 17 May 2012 Posts: 84

Tried my bilge last trip out, did not work. The light at the rocker switch does not come on, is it a bad switch, connection, wire? I looked at the panel fuses and all seemed good, would it have a in-line fuse somewhere? Before I go crazy looking does anyone have a idea what I should look at first?

Thanks

BT

SAP284 · Joined: 07 Jun 2011 Posts: 655 Location: Central, CT

I would start with the connection wires to ensure there's solid connection. Then after that, I would check the fuse. There has to be an fuse for it somewhere. If that's not blown and it's in good tact, then I'm willing to bet its the switch. The way you can tell where there is power is using a power tester. They sell DC ones at sears for cheap. One end goes on ground and the other on the power wire. What you can also do is switch the wires from a "working" switch. I did this to troubleshoot my lights and it worked.

For example: if your "live well" switch works. Take the power cords from the bilge and plug them into the live well switch. Flick on the livewell switch...if it lights up then it's def the bilge switch.
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Steve

bass tracker · Joined: 17 May 2012 Posts: 84

Thanks Steve, I did what you said and swaped out a working switch, still did not work. All the wiring looked good at the pump so I double checked the fuse in the panel. Even though it was not blown out there was a little bit of corrosion on the blades, not much but just enough. I put in a new fuse and it worked fine. I guess any little bit of moisture can lead to problems like that.

Thanks again for the reply.

BT

SAP284 · Joined: 07 Jun 2011 Posts: 655 Location: Central, CT

You got it Very Happy

I've had that happen a few times. I bought about a half dozen of fuses and have them in my boat, for cases like that...and in case I run into anything on the water. Always good to have spares. Glad you were able to pinpoint the issue. A replaced fuse is so much more easier than replacing the whole pump!
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Steve

tav · Joined: 05 May 2010 Posts: 49

piggy back off this tread......I was told to start using dioletric ....can you put alittle on the fuse blades along with other pin connections....ect....?