Leaving battery switch on for bilge pump?

[vacooley]

I keep my boat on a lift in the marina. On my previous boats I have always set the battery switch to one battery so that the bilge pump could run in the (unlikely) event that the boat takes on water. The boat is always covered but I have seen boats sink in a marina before and have always been a bit paranoid.

How is the Nautique Linc and other electronics about battery drain? This is the first boat I have had with all the computer stuff.

Should I get a battery tender? I have never needed one in Dallas area before (mild and relatively short winters).

[Sailfun]

I don't know specifically how Nautique does it but every other boat brand I have owned wires the float function of the bilge pump directly to the battery leaving it hot regardless of battery switch position.

[jjackkrash]

I believe Sailfun is correct, the bilge pump is usually wired directly to battery.

[vacooley]

Maybe time to pour a bucket of water into the bilge to test it?


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[NautiqueJeff]

No, there is nothing wired directly to the battery from the factory. You must leave the battery switch on if you want the bilge pump to monitor for water.

There is no float switch on these pumps either. They cycle every 2.5 minutes to check for the presence of water. If detected, they run until there is no more water, and then go back to the 2.5 minute cycle. In my experience, you can leave this on for about three weeks without using the boat before the battery will be completely drained.

If your boat is on a lift, why not turn the batteries off and leave the plug out? That's what I do with my boat that is on a lift.

[MikeC]

I wish I had a picture of a neighbor that left his boat on the lift with the plug out.

The lift failed.

His tower speakers stayed dry at least

Just for full disclosure, we're on a lake where the water levels fluctuate so it was a floating lift, not a cable lift. And I have no idea how he cared for his lift.

[Kenv]

The older Nautiques...My 2005 226 for example...... you could turn the Perko off and the bilge would run if it rained. You could see the switched light on in the little compartment. You did have to turn the switch "ON" if you wanted the bilge to be active. So i'm assuming it was run directly to the battery. Not so in the newer Nautiques. Like Jeff said above, you have to leave the batt switch on 1, 2 or both for the auto bilge to activate if it takes on water.

[markj]

No, there is nothing wired directly to the battery from the factory. You must leave the battery switch on if you want the bilge pump to monitor for water.

There is no float switch on these pumps either. They cycle every 2.5 minutes to check for the presence of water. If detected, they run until there is no more water, and then go back to the 2.5 minute cycle. In my experience, you can leave this on for about three weeks without using the boat before the battery will be completely drained.

If your boat is on a lift, why not turn the batteries off and leave the plug out? That's what I do with my boat that is on a lift.

Okay, maybe I'm missing something here. Why would you EVER leave a boat on a lift with no drain plug installed? After it's drained, what's the benefit of leaving the plug out?

[charlesml3]

Okay, maybe I'm missing something here. Why would you EVER leave a boat on a lift with no drain plug installed? After it's drained, what's the benefit of leaving the plug out?

It sounds like you're suggesting that's stupid or something. I suppose it could be, but Jeff and I meticulously maintain our lifts so the odds of the lift failing AND the boat sinking are extremely remote. I leave the plug out of mine too when it's on the lift. Seems like for whatever reason, it tends to drip water for a good day or so.

-Charles

[Neverenough]

Okay, maybe I'm missing something here. Why would you EVER leave a boat on a lift with no drain plug installed? After it's drained, what's the benefit of leaving the plug out?

Some of the local docks here actually have feet that turn out and you lower boat on top of dock. In that case I could see leaving plug to dry out maybe. Could be bad if dock went down I guess but if that were the case you have bigger issues I suppose.

[oldsmobiledriver]

My float is straight wire to the battery


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[Waterhawg]

I have had two lifts let boats down this year. I think it is unwise to leave the plug out of the boat. A lift can fail for any number of reasons, from beavers, drunk kids, mechanical failure, etc.

I was under the impression the forward bilge was tied to the battery switch, but the aft bilge (emergency??) was a direct wired on a '17 G23?

[vacooley]

Floating lift. I have seen 3 boats sink 'on the lift' so that is not an option. I may need to just add a simple auto bilge pump or a battery tender. That cycle every 2.5 just seems dumb and explains some odd behavior I have seen.


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[NautiqueJeff]

I was under the impression the forward bilge was tied to the battery switch, but the aft bilge (emergency??) was a direct wired on a '17 G23?

That is not correct.

[Jakeb]

I wish I had a picture of a neighbor that left his boat on the lift with the plug out.

The lift failed.

His tower speakers stayed dry at least

Just for full disclosure, we're on a lake where the water levels fluctuate so it was a floating lift, not a cable lift. And I have no idea how he cared for his lift.

What type of lift did this happen on? I have a hydraulic type that locks to a pivot point that holds the boat regardless even if there is a failure, I'm pretty sure thus is standard on most newer lifts.


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