BOATING TIPS -- July 1999
Bilge Pump Alarm System

The other day when Judy and I came in and I was on the dock, I noticed a bilge pump was pumping every few minutes. I checked.

It seemed that one of the o-ring collars on my shaft seals has loosened, worked up the prop shaft, and water was leaking at a pretty good rate into the bilge. Oops!

The collar was easy to fix, but I realized I had no idea how long the pumps had been running; although I do have a high-bilge-water float switch and alarm, the water had never gotten that high. I decided to install a better “pump-running alarm system” than simply an out-of-the-way light on my electrical panel. Fortunately, the cost was low, although the labor was several hours.

From Radio Shack, I bought 3-amp capacity diodes. I got red pilot lights and warning alarms from Rasmussen's for each helm station. The total was well under $50.

I ran a wire from each pump's “running” lead (the one that's on when the automatic switch comes on), put a diode in series with it, and connected the lights and alarms to the diodes and battery minus side.

Here is the diagram:

“F” is the existing pump float switches; “P” are the pumps; “D” are the diodes (note the band is toward the alarms) and “L” and “A” are the warning lights and alarms. You can have any number of pumps on the alarm, as long as each has a diode; I have four.

Now, whenever a pump comes on, I can hear it at both places, and take action if necessary. I feel safer!

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