[C320-list] Mystery

[Scott Thompson]

Chris:  On my boat, but maybe not on others, there is no hot wire from 
distribution panel bus to the breaker.  Instead the bilge pump breaker 
has a completely separate feed from the battery 1 post on the back of 
the battery selector switch.  This is so the bilge pump can run even 
when the battery selector is set to off.

Chris Burti wrote:
> You likely have a short circuit.
> 
> There are two somewhat separate circuits that can operate your pump and the
> following is how mine is wired, if not literally, at least electrically.
> 
> One ground wire to the pump, common to both, so that is not the likely
> culprit.
> 
> One hot wire from the distribution panel bus to the breaker to the switch
> and then from the switch's manual pole to the pump creating a switched
> circuit for manual operation, again based on your symptoms, not a likely
> culprit.
> 
> A second hot wire from the 'Auto' pole (bypassing the switch itself) to the
> float switch and then to the pump. This stays hot at all times the breaker
> is on powering the pump whenever water rises in the bilge. Since the breaker
> in your case throws only when the float switch operated, the short is most
> likely in the float switch or in the wire between the switch and the pump
> (my bet is on the wire or connections).
> 
> I'd guess the battery change may be more coincidental than causal.
> 
> On Thu, Jul 17, 2008 at 11:40 AM, <hcreech at comcast.net> wrote:
> 
>> OK, I need to solicit the aid of those on the list that send out posts
>> regarding electrical problems.  You know who you are, the one's that send
>> out posts that I, and I suspect, very few on the list understands.
>> Here is my mystery:  coincidental to the replacement of one of my
>> batteries, the circuit breaker that controls the bilge pump tripped when
>> ever the float switch activated.  I could reset the breaker and turn the
>> switch on and the pump would work fine, but again every time the float
>> switch activated in the auto position the breaker would trip again.  I
>> assumed, wrongly, that the float switch itself was the culprit, and I
>> replaced it.  No good, still trips.  Therefore I am at a loss to figure out
>> what is the exact cause.
>> This is why I need your help, as I said, you know who you are!
>>
>> Sincerely,
>> Herb Creech
>> Cloud Chaser #606
>>
> 
> 
>