[C320-list] Bilge pump (HELP) - documented on 320 Website

[Jane & Ken]

Brad,
   Good point.  Twenty/ twenty hindsight is always refreshing.  Experience is a really good teacher----The manufacturer looks for ways to cut costs---but some things should not be cheapened.  The bilge pump is one of those things----keep up the rants. Ken, OBUOY #219

--- On Wed, 6/8/11, Brad Kuether <bkuether at comcast.net> wrote:


From: Brad Kuether <bkuether at comcast.net>
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Bilge pump (HELP) - documented on 320 Website
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Date: Wednesday, June 8, 2011, 5:40 PM


To be honest, it is NOT worth trying to salvage the stock bilge pump sensor. Its better to just replace it, with something that WON'T get hung up, because it is mechanical rather than electrical/enclosed.  Even if it wasn't the root cause......  (but I am almost 100% sure it was....) it is better to have it replaced.....

After doing this replacement, I was kicking myself for not doing it sooner. After I came to realize what cheap POS it was, I actually felt kind of stupid, when I realized what I was "relying on", to keep my boat from potentially sinking.

I know that people don't need another reason to spend additional $$ on their boats, but this, was one of them for me.  Why I felt it necessary to document the process.  And to be honest, if you go with the Johnson part, it REALLY is easy and no more holes to drill!!!!

Just my 2cents, and sorry for the rant.  I know everyone is just trying to help, and that help is something I have taken in the past and completely appreciate.  I will shut up now.

-Brad, Mary, Monica, and Jarod
"Independence"
2004 Catalina 320 Hull 1006
Middle River, MD


----- Original Message ----- From: "Irving Grunes" <igrunes at gmail.com>
To: <C320-List at catalina320.com>
Sent: Wednesday, June 08, 2011 3:40 PM
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Bilge pump (HELP) - documented on 320 Website


> Did you try shorting the wires where they leave the float switch or put an
> ometer across where they go into the pump to see if the switch works when
> operated manually.
> Irv #851
> 
> On Wed, Jun 8, 2011 at 3:37 PM, Jack McDonough <mcdonough5 at verizon.net>wrote:
> 
>> Ted:
>> 
>> Yes. Thanks for the idea but the switch was on.
>> 
>> jack
>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ted Barto" <capt.tb at verizon.net>
>> To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
>> Sent: Wednesday, June 08, 2011 10:09 AM
>> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Bilge pump (HELP) - documented on 320 Website
>> 
>> 
>>  You did check the bottom switch in the right hand column on the 12 volt
>>> panel to make sure it's in the "on" position?  When I first bought my boat
>>> (2002 #880) I replaced the float switch in a panic before discovering that
>>> while wired direct to battery Catalina put a switch on the panel that kills
>>> power to the float switch. Only purpose for this I can think of is to
>>> replace the float switch, weird.  Ted
>>> 
>>> -----Original Message----- From: Jack McDonough
>>> Sent: Wednesday, June 08, 2011 4:54 AM
>>> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
>>> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Bilge pump (HELP) - documented on 320 Website
>>> 
>>> Brad:
>>> 
>>> Thanks for the offer of help. I have something from Chris, too, but I'll
>>> also look for yours. If that 7-year-old is still available, I probably
>>> will
>>> need him/her, too.
>>> 
>>> jack
>>> 
>>> 
>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Brad Kuether" <bkuether at comcast.net>
>>> To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
>>> Sent: Tuesday, June 07, 2011 9:35 PM
>>> Subject: [C320-list] Bilge pump (HELP) - documented on 320 Website
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>>> Jack,
>>>> 
>>>> It is likely the sensor and it is a relatively easy replacement.
>>>> 
>>>> I documented the entire process on the 320 website, including a
>>>> comprehensive BOMs, and submitted it, but it does not appear to have been
>>>> approved.
>>>> 
>>>> Chris Burti would you be so kind to please take a peek at any pending
>>>> articles and see if mine is in there?
>>>> 
>>>> Jack you can contact me offline if you need any info on this fix.  Took
>>>> me
>>>> about 2 hours but I had a 7 year old with me.
>>>> 
>>>> Thanks!
>>>> 
>>>> -Brad, Mary, Monica, and Jarod
>>>> "Independence"
>>>> 2004 Catalina 320 Hull 1006
>>>> Middle River, MD
>>>> 
>>>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jack McDonough" <
>>>>> mcdonough5 at verizon.net>
>>>>> To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
>>>>> Sent: Tuesday, June 07, 2011 5:06 PM
>>>>> Subject: [C320-list] Bilge pump (HELP)
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> After launching today, we discovered that the automatic bilge pump in
>>>>> our 2003  320 wasn't working. The pump worked fine on "manual" but the float
>>>>> switch in the bilge would not activate the pump.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Assuming I need to replace the float switch, can anyone tell me how to
>>>>> remove it? In other words, how is it fastened to the bottom of the bilge?
>>>>> 
>>>>> Or is there any other reason it wouldn't work -- and, if so, what's the
>>>>> solution?
>>>>> 
>>>>> I'd be grateful for any help on this.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Jack
>>>>> #947
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>> 
>