First Mariah

Z 202 · 12-07-2007, 02:48 PM

My bilge pump only runs under two situations:

1) I force it to pump by switching it on with the button at the helm
2) a sufficient amount of water has built up in the bilge to cause the float switch to rise, and the pump will turn on automatically.

Is there water in the bilge? I would think that being on the trailer for your drive home, the plug at the stern should have been removed, meaning the bilge should be darn near bone dry. Perhaps there is a problem with the float switch?

Mayal · 12-07-2007, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Z 202

My bilge pump only runs under two situations:

1) I force it to pump by switching it on with the button at the helm
2) a sufficient amount of water has built up in the bilge to cause the float switch to rise, and the pump will turn on automatically.

Is there water in the bilge? I would think that being on the trailer for your drive home, the plug at the stern should have been removed, meaning the bilge should be darn near bone dry. Perhaps there is a problem with the float switch?

Thanks but our bilge is dry and still comes on however we don't have a float system in the new model it is fully automatic????

Z 202 · 12-07-2007, 10:17 PM

If no float, then there must be some kind of sensor to detect the water level. My guess would be that is what is malfunctioning.

It would seem to me that having a pump come on intermittently as a substitute for an "as needed" float or sensor type arrangement is just... well, whacked.

dudders · 12-08-2007, 02:50 AM

Welcome home Mayal,
30 hours....... after all that Red Bull you really did have wings!!

What did you use for a tow vehicle - a Ferrari???

I am unsure about your blower and bilge pump, sounds like a short somewhere, when I had a problem both of mine siezed, they were covered by Warranty though and so will yours. MAKE SURE your blower is on for at least 5 minutes before you launch it, the fuel vapour build up can have drastic results.

My Bilge pump goes on (as Z202 says) manually or automatically, the blower just manually.

While the boat is running the bilge and blower wont be a problem, just sitting idle and doing this WILL cause the battery to go flat though.
Get a battery booster from Auto Cheap (they are only $40 or so) and good piece of mind.

Con may be able to set up something to get those two things looked at, at your local boat dealer and get warranty coverage.
I suppose you have already given him a call though.

After you have taken her for a run with the good wife and kiddies get some photos and post them, cant wait to see your new toy.
Bet you will crash it tonight.
Got to go before the comms crash.
Talk later

dudders · 12-08-2007, 12:33 PM

Hi Mayal, I hope your first day out on the water was awesome. Very daunting the first time though eh?? SO what did you forget?

I checked on other sites regarding your problem with the blower / bilge pump.
Could be the wiring to each has been swapped. Are you able to check this?
When you put your blower on are you able to check if it is the blower working or the bilge pump?
Others here that are MUCH much more knowledgable about this sort of thing than I am, and will be able to help I am sure.

Good luck.

xr6st · 12-08-2007, 02:10 PM

good to hear you made it home ok

{and like tony said did you have wings

) hope you:enjoy the boating today, be warned with trying to fix you problem yourself as it could void your warranty

was the problem happening before the trip or after when you got home if after then you must of knock something with the flying trip home

Mayal · 12-09-2007, 06:47 AM

Hi, Thanks very much for your help, we have found the answer, called the dealer and he explained that the new system, which is fully automatic, does a check every 2 minutes. It would take a year to flatten the battery but it overcomes the sticky float problem they have experienced in the past. Had our first run went great turns great, ran into trouble and hit something with the prop which cut our day short and was disapointing but I guess I can get my stainless one now.
Mayal and Nicole

Mayal · 12-09-2007, 06:56 AM

Yeah well Nicole said I looked like I had wings when I got home at midnight something like a wide eyed owl I think ha ha. The bilge comes on every 2 minutes with the new model and apparently would take a year to run the battery down so it's all normal. First run was great handles fantastic, kids excited were in the water for about an hour or so and hit something that broke the prop so our first run was cut short to my and the rest of the family's disapointment. Next weekend mate, ....thanks again for your help.

Mayal · 12-09-2007, 07:22 AM

Hi Dudders,
thanks for checking it out for us, we were up at 6am brainstorming , even sent Nicole out to look under the engine cover at 6.15 to see what I may have missed in my groggy tired state,... but nothing. Ended up calling Con as soon at business hours started who told us that it was completely normal for the bilge to come on every 2 minutes to sense any water which avoids the sticky float problem apparently, especially if your boat is stored on the water. (he said it would take a year for that to drain the battery)
Took it out for a spin on the Tinaroo dam yesterday, felt great, cornered well, kids were excited. Just put 10 year old son in a tube, started off slow allowing rope slack to tighten, was about 20 m in from shore so gave it some and hit a damn rock or something and busted up the prop.!! Couldn't believe it after 3 months waiting, 30 hours driving and 30,000 bucks we lasted 30 minutes before we broke it!!!!! At least we got some good shots on camera and video for our first ride will post them as soon as we download them. Organising a new prop tomorrow to keep us going and going to order a stainless steel prop to use and keep the alloy as spare.
thanks mate
Mayal and Nicole