Need Bilge Pump ?

[Sgt_Nutz]

Powered up the boat this weekend: changed plugs, changed fuel filter, installed the batterey, tested everything and all working; lites, horn, wash down ect... but no bilge pump. Which reminded me that when I took the plug out at the end of last season there seemed to be more water than should have been in the bilges. Pump is a cartridge type(under a little 8" hatch!!! ) and did have a little debri in it but the motor seemed to have seized. Gave it a couple turns and it spun back up and appears to work fine.
My question is should I replace it or should it keep working if I clean out any debri periodically? Ordinarily I would just replace it but the wire leads disappear under the deck to a connection that may be unreachable.

[beamie]

Many times after the long winter and a motor not running for 5 months they tend to stick when first repowering. Once they have been going for a while it should be fine. Of course if it is just a little small $20-30 pump it may be piece of mind to change it if it is going to worry you. Buy a spare and stick it in the garage so if it does fail you don't have to go shopping for it. Is it your only pump?

[likwid]

replace the wires and pump and leave a loop thats tierap'd just under by the inspection plate.

it'll make working on it and replacing it that much easier next time.

the wires probably run all the way back to the panel... just run a messenger behind them to replace it all.

[Sgt_Nutz]

Dont mind buying a new one it's just the thought of snaking all new wires back to the panel or splicing into the ones at the pump under a small round hatch. And the thought of nicking another wire out of sight..........

Yes, its the only one beamie. Manual pump is on the list..........

Thanks for the input.

[likwid]

But if you run heavy gauge good quality marine wire then you won't have to deal with it again.

[beamie]

Sgt,

I the wiring looks like decent quality with no extra connections between pump and panel there is no reason to replace good wiring. No you don't "have" to use "marine" wiring either. That just adds another 50cents a foot on the job. Good quailty cooper control wire is fine.. Most important is when you butt connect fittings...and the pump you have is most likely butt connected in... shrink tube over the connections with good tubing that has sealing adhesive inside, it won't fail. And like Likwid said leave a loop, in the industry this is called a "service loop", most "professional" places fail to do this leaving the repair much harder.

Oh, and yes it is a good idea tl have to manual pump too just in case.