Bilge Pump

[RFoster130]

I loaned the boat to a friend a few weeks ago. He had it out in the rain and said that there was like 6" of water in the bilge area and the pump never kicked on. He had to bring the boat in and load it on the trailer and drain it. I decided to look it over today.

First I filled the bilge area with like 6" of water. When I turn the battery on, the pump will automatically turn on. When the water gets below the pump, it kicks off. Pushing the manual button turns the pump off and on. With the battery off, I get nothing.

I have heard someone say there is 2 fuses. I have looked in the owners manual and also the shop manual. Neither mention a second fuse. So, is this possible the issue? If so, where is it? If not, what else could it be? The only other thing I can think of would be the wire that needs to be directly hooked to the battery is not hooked up.

 

[RFoster130]

Anybody have any clue? I'd like to get it fixed today or tomorrow.

 

[97 See Doooo]

Sounds like its not directly hooked to the battery . .

Also , , do you not have plugs that you pull, or unscrew, when out of the water and sitting outside ??

But if this happend on the water , and he had the battery turned off then there should be a direct hook to the auto bilge pump

 

[RFoster130]

Yes it has the drain plug. This happened while on the water. I think I need to trace the wire that is suppose to go directly to the battery, because I think it is on the switched side of the battery switch by mistake.

 

[despower]

On my 2006 Sportster, I can confirm that there is indeed a 7.5A fuse for the line that runs from the battery (bypassing the battery switch) and going directly to the bilge pump. I can see this in my shop manual wiring diagram. I have no idea where this is physically located though... but it should be straightforward to follow the wires from either the pump or the battery.

If it isn't in the fusebox, it would make sense that it is in a location that makes it easy to change.

 

[shamski]

Yup, trace the wiring. Sounds like it may have been run to the power switch and not direct to the battery. You want it direct to the battery so that it can dump all that lovely rain we are all getting this summer without leaving your power on.

As you trace the wiring you may find the inline fuse -- know my 2003 Sportster 4TEC has one (3Amp), and yours should too to prevent it from a large current draw that could fry the pump. It was right below the power switch. Previous owner for mine had decided that putting in a larger fuse on that line would solve his fuse blowing issue -- idiot! Replaced bilge pump and fuse with proper Amp and all better.

Good luck!