bilge pumps and alarms

[19ed50]

I have 2 pumps and 2 float switches- seem the float switches only activate the alarm- is this normal - thank you

 

[Lazy Daze]

Typically a high water bilge pump float will activate the alarm.

 

[19ed50]

Typically a high water bilge pump float will activate the alarm.

I was expecting the pump to activate also - I am new to this set up- thank you lazy days- 19ed50

 

[Lazy Daze]

Are you saying the floats don't activate the pump? Are the floats connected to a pump? I would think they should be. Take a looksie.

 

[19ed50]

two hot leads from battery always hot-2 leads from helm are activated by helm switch-I tested the leads with a test light - so I hooked the pumps to the 2 switch leads and the floats to the constant hot leads then the pumps to a mated ground- the helm switch activates the pumps perfectly- then tried to hook floats to the only wires left- on brown split in 2- -all grounds were identified by test light -they never id'd as hot during tests- only ground left was split in 2 to accommodate floats- they always sounded alarm but never activated the pumps- it seemed strange to not have floats activate pumps -

 

[19ed50]

switch activates both pumps to run at same time- is that the way they planned it or is wiring askew

 

[19ed50]

all wires congregate at one spot in bilge, via plastic loom tubing between the engines- only way to trace them was by test light and color code of 3 wires from helm switch ( 2 diff hots and one black ground) seems strange arrangement but 2 wires are controlled by switch and 2 are constant hot

 

[Lazy Daze]

So you have two floats that will activate the alarm, but not the pumps? Yes, that's strange.

The way things "should" be... for the normal bilge pump: an always hot lead should go to the float, then the pump. A switched hot lead (from the dash switch) should also go to the pump.

For the high water: an always hot lead would go to the float and then the pump. The alarm shoudl tie in between the float and the pump so that when the float switch closes, it also sends power to the alarm. In other words, the high water pump and the alarm are wired in parallel.

The high water pump shouldn't be controlled by the dash switch for the regular pump. Yes, sounds like someone made some "custom" modifications...

To double check everything I'm saying, though, look at your wiring diagrams. Sea Ray's diagrams are done very well - showing the colors of wires used and even the data codes printed on the wires.

 

[19ed50]

LazyDaze- thank you for your extended attention to this- I have attempted to get schematics from Sea Ray so that I can trace it-I have left emails on their contact sea ray pop up - will continue to go that route - again - thank you - 19ed50

 

[MattB92]

LazyDaze- thank you for your extended attention to this- I have attempted to get schematics from Sea Ray so that I can trace it-I have left emails on their contact sea ray pop up - will continue to go that route - again - thank you - 19ed50

Yea somebody has made some "custom" or "dumb" modifications if you ask me. My boat is similar to yours and mine is wired as Lazy said. 2 float switches. 1 high float switch (activates alarm) and turns on high water pump. 1 regular float switch activates regular pump - this same pump can be turned on at the helm.

 

[Lazy Daze]

LazyDaze- thank you for your extended attention to this- I have attempted to get schematics from Sea Ray so that I can trace it-I have left emails on their contact sea ray pop up - will continue to go that route - again - thank you - 19ed50

Your welcome, Ed.

If you don't have the original owner's manual, you can download it from their website. If you don't find your particular year, look to another year - and even another model if need be. This sort of thing would be the same from model to model (generally speaking).

 

[19ed50]

Your welcome, Ed.

If you don't have the original owner's manual, you can download it from their website. If you don't find your particular year, look to another year - and even another model if need be. This sort of thing would be the same from model to model (generally speaking).

 

[19ed50]

I went to local dealer and got it some what straightened out--- the some what depends on me- my fault for not writing a diagram that I am want to do when messing with el connections- you guys are great if I get it to work I will try to post the diagram - thank you again- 19ed50

 

[19ed50]

Yea somebody has made some "custom" or "dumb" modifications if you ask me. My boat is similar to yours and mine is wired as Lazy said. 2 float switches. 1 high float switch (activates alarm) and turns on high water pump. 1 regular float switch activates regular pump - this same pump can be turned on at the helm.

Matt -I think I may have misplaced a connector-can I email my diagram to you - I have 5 males on pumps side and 6 females on supply side-- one of the females on pump side is probably male #16?of the Rule switch- I have all connectors numbered and color coded- right now I have an ice cream head ache - my own fault- ecmoritz@aol.com

 

[19ed50]

Matt - I have copied the schematic from a 2001 280 ss supplemental owners guide- hope my request was not over board- thank you 19ed50

 

[rcmafgny]

Hi Guys,
Do you know where the alarm is located? right now the Alarm does not go off when the float switch is activated on the high water pump