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

[Jack McDonough]

Ted and Warren:

Right. The switch SNAPS out! Now that I know that, I can go to work on that 
sucker, possibly today. I will report my findings and degree of success when 
the job is done -- so that everyone who has been so helpful on this project 
can turn their attention to more important matters, such as icing down some 
adult beverages or having a snooze in the cockpit.

Cheers.

Jack
#947



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ted Barto" <capt.tb at verizon.net>
To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
Sent: Friday, June 10, 2011 9:05 AM
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Bilge pump (HELP) - documented on 320 Website


> Just occurred to me, the old rule switch just had 2 screws, the new 
> replacement had a white plastic base that screwed down then the actual 
> switch snapped in and out. The screws may be hidden under the switch in 
> the newer style, give it the wiggle test.
> Ted #880
> -----Original Message----- 
> From: Warren Updike
> Sent: Friday, June 10, 2011 5:52 AM
> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Bilge pump (HELP) - documented on 320 Website
>
> Jack, I had to replace our Rule switch when we first bought the boat.  It
> was a mechanical float switch in white plastic. As I remember there were 
> two
> screws in the bottom of the switch into the hull.  I bought the same 
> switch
> and reused the screw holes.  I don't think it would be a problem if you 
> had
> to drill new holes as the hull is quite thick and you probably don't need
> more than a 1/4-3/8" bite for the screw.
>
> I also replaced the pump and kept the old one as a spare. A really good 
> idea
> is to wire the spare and add a hose so it can be quickly deployed in an
> emergency. The hose only need empty in the cockpit.  Maybe someday I'll do
> that too.  I have a lot to do on someday.
>
> Warren & Pattie Updike
> 1994 C320 #62 "Warr De Mar"
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Jack McDonough [mailto:mcdonough5 at verizon.net]
> Sent: Thursday, June 09, 2011 8:23 PM
> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Bilge pump (HELP) - documented on 320 Website
>
> So, Brad, lemme get this straight. Was your original  switch a Rule? Mine 
> is
>
> a Rule but, as I said earlier, there ain't no screws to loosen as others
> have described, so I'm thinking I have a different model. I never had any
> trouble with this switch until this season when it stopped working
> altogether. You think the Johnson is the way to go? And does it fit the 
> same
>
> holes as the Rule?
>
> Jack
> #947
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "jim brown" <jbrown5093 at yahoo.com>
> To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
> Sent: Thursday, June 09, 2011 7:23 PM
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Bilge pump (HELP) - documented on 320 Website
>
>
> I agree completely. I'm on my second float switch. Changed to a new one
> because it got stuck in the on position with no water in the bilge when
> heeled to starboard. Guess what- new one does the same thing. I'm about to
> try a different type.
>
>
> Jim Brown
>
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: Brad Kuether <bkuether at comcast.net>
> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
> Sent: Wednesday, June 8, 2011 6:40 PM
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Bilge pump (HELP) - documented on 320 Website
>
> 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
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>
>
>
>
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