Frequent sump pump cycles

[Njlarry]

Our sump pump keeps cycling every three seconds. Is there some adjustment or maintenance to stop it?
Thanks for any help.

 

[ZZ13]

This happens when the output hose is long and the float switch doesn’t have any lag. The switch turns on to pump out the water. Enough water gets into the hose to turn off the float switch, but not enough to run out the end of the hose. It all Drains back into the sump and the cycle starts over. You can try another manufacturers float switch to see if it runs longer, or some have tried electronic float switches, such as Water Witch

I have a 400DB and it’s a factory design problem. I have a newer Rule float switch that just barely stays on long enough to spurt some water out the thru hull.

 

[Riptide III]

I put a check valve in the hose to prevent it from back flowing.

 

[my3sons]

There should be a check valve in the discharge line just outside the sump box that prevents that from happening. It must be gunked up. Just replace it.

 

[ZZ13]

There should be a check valve in the discharge line just outside the sump box that prevents that from happening. It must be gunked up. Just replace it.View attachment 127967

When I replace those check valves they only seem to work for about a week. Then the water just starts flowing back through them. Obviously I am doing something wrong.

 

[my3sons]

That one I have never replaced. Maybe I’m just lucky. I replaced the one in the forward bilge of the engine room. But the person who used to do the service for the po spilled a lot of oil in there changing that starboard oil filter. That bilge was gross when we bought the boat.

 

[Njlarry]

Thank you all. It was the check valve. I replaced it several weeks ago and no on and off cyling since. Whale part LV 1215.

 

[bbwhitejr]

That one I have never replaced. Maybe I’m just lucky. I replaced the one in the forward bilge of the engine room. But the person who used to do the service for the po spilled a lot of oil in there changing that starboard oil filter. That bilge was gross when we bought the boat.

How did you ever get the old oil out? I have this issue from my PO. For the life of me, I cannot seem to completely get it gone. Sorry for hijacking….

Bennett

 

[my3sons]

We used to use Purple Power in the shop to degrease so I used that. It’s not perfect, but it’s not bad. It seems like the bilge coat is permanently stained a gray color from the oil being allowed to stay there and as stated that check valve leaked water back into that bilge area making it worse.