|
|
Post by abgreenbank on Oct 1, 2014 7:00:13 GMT
Hi, the manual on my new 50DS suggests that there are 2 electric bilge pumps both operated by the same switch and solid state float switch. When i select the auto/off/manual switch to manual to test the operation of the pumps, I can hear the one at the bilge sump by the keel but the pump beside the fresh water manifold/pump makes no sound, should it?
rgrds
alistair
|
|
|
|
Post by dslittle on Oct 1, 2014 8:05:32 GMT
Hi. I had the same set up on my boat. The 'auto' function uses the float switch in the bilges to run. If you turn to auto and then raise the float switch manually, you should hear the pump start to operate.
I did not like the idea that the boat electrics had to be left on for the 'auto' function to work so I connected the float switch to a permanent live which means that the pump will always function if there is any water in the bilges (hopefully never!). I still manually check that the float switch starts the pump occasionally.
The added bonus was that it 'released' the rocker switch on my panel which is now used to turn my Navtex on...
|
|
|
|
Post by abgreenbank on Oct 1, 2014 10:30:50 GMT
Hi the float switch in the bilge appears to be a water sensor rather than a mechanical float and switch that can be moved to switch on the pumps, so I don't know how to test when in auto, apart from flooding the bilge.Do you have the second electric bilge pump which is not in the bilge but next to the fresh water pressure pump? if you do can you hear it when it cycles.
rgrds
alistair
|
|
|
|
Post by rene460 on Oct 1, 2014 11:03:50 GMT
Hi Alistair,
I would expect that that you will hear the pump if it is working. None of them are that quiet!
Can you lift the sensor and put it in a plastic dish of water for a moment to test it? Alternatively look along the wiring to find a plug that can be disconnected to give you access to test with a multimeter whether you have voltage to the pump when the switch is on.
Is is the one by the fresh water pump serving the same bilge area by means of a long suction hose? Or does it service a separate compartment? As it should not be needed if the lower one operates properly, is there a possibility that it has a separate water sensor and is always in auto mode regardless of the auto or manual selection?
rene460
|
|
|
|
Post by abgreenbank on Oct 1, 2014 12:08:08 GMT
Hi the second bilge pump has a hose to the same sump, if I can't hear it I guess there is a problem.
i guess I might have to remove the sensor and immerse in water to check the function.
i first thought I had a problem on handover and have requested clarification from Jeanneau via my dealer but nothing yet, ah well nothing to worry about for my excursion to Lanzarote from Gibraltar next week!
thanks
alistair
|
|
|
|
Post by Don Reaves on Oct 1, 2014 16:28:30 GMT
If your bilge is like mine, the sensor is mounted in a small compartment that will only hold a couple of liters of water. It won't hurt anything to add some water and see what happens.
Don
|
|
|
|
Post by abgreenbank on Oct 1, 2014 16:40:15 GMT
Yes the sensor is at the top of the sump, I will see how much water is needed to operate it, the primary bilge pump is not in the sump but at the side of it so it only removes water when the level is above the sump.
rgrds
alistair
|
|
|
|
Post by svsecco on Oct 1, 2014 17:34:03 GMT
My 45DS (a 7/8 50DS, right?) has a similar setup. The switch in the bilge controls the "maintenance" diaphragm-based bilge pump. You can test the maintenance pump by wetting your fingers and simultaneously touching the silver contact on the switch.
The larger "main" pump (but not large enough, in my opinion) is an impeller-based pump that can detect the presence of water without a switch.
|
|
|
|
Post by abgreenbank on Oct 1, 2014 18:09:58 GMT
Hi the 45 and 50 DS appear to be very similar apart from the fwd sail locker, so I guess the plumbing systems are the same.
i will try the test on the sensor, but how do you get the larger sized pump that is above the waterline to run?
rgrds
alistair
|
|
|
|
Post by abgreenbank on Oct 1, 2014 18:31:32 GMT
Hi, I think I miss-red your message, you believe the sensor operates the pump beside the fresh water pump and the pump in the bilge is operated by an internal float switch of some kind, I will try this next week, thanks.
alistair
|
|
|
|
Post by svsecco on Oct 1, 2014 19:13:02 GMT
Sorry for being less than clear. The solid state float switch operates the pump (maintenance pump in my parlance) near the freshwater pump. The pump sitting in the bilge has its own ability to sense water.
|
|
|
|
Post by svsecco on Oct 2, 2014 12:57:13 GMT
I forgot to mention, flipping the switch to "ON" activates the larger pump. It is quiet and you may not be able to be hear it with the floorboards down, especially if you have a rug on the sole.
|
|
