Bilge Pump Switches

[JD5652]

After a couple of bad instances with the Rule Float Switches, I've gone in search of a better technology. I've located three options and was wondering if anyone had any real world experience with any of them? What do the Custom Carolina builders use?

SensaSwitch
http://www.sealandsanitation.com/sensaswitch.htm

Ultra Safety Pump Switch
http://www.tef-gel.com/contain.php?p...mpswitch_infor

Water Witch
http://www.waterwitchinc.com/new/Sit...eSwitches.html

Does anyone have any other suggestions??

Thanks!

[ReelBroke]

Ultra Safety Pump Switch is a great switch used in many commercial boats, only down fall is it may turn off the pump before a traditional float would leaving some extra water in the bilge, but the plus side is no false pumping in rough water & the switch will not get hung up.

[Sea Draggin]

JD,
I had this one for 4 years in the grady and it never missed a beat, not once. And after years of fighting it, burning up wires etc., it was nice not to have to worry any more.



http://www.outerbanksoutfitters.com/.../356977868.htm

[Banshee]

The switch that seadraggin has in the picture, (No offense) , I went thru about a dozen of them, they are fine till they get wet, then they burn up. The ultimate is a great switch and , Thats my choice now and they do leave a little water in the bilge, I know some commerical guys swear by the water witch.
JW

[Sea Draggin]

They must have had a bad batch or there were set up issues, because I have heard from jaws that folks had issues. Its a 20amp switch. I wonder if your set up over loaded it? I have to think there have to be some set up issues, because I never had one minutes trouble and others have had all kinds. Electrical stuff and saltwater don't mix.

PS why would you put 12 of something on your boat that didn't work?

[Storm]

I like the Jr. and Sr. Ultra Safety Systems switches. I have three on my boat. I've had **much** fewer problems with them than mercury switches that always seem to give me grief. Since I'm on a workboat, the float contacts require cleaning every six months or so. Cleaning is a cinch, with only one screw to remove in order to slide the float out. One of my switches has the bilge alarm sensor built-in.

Depending upon how high you mount the switch, you "might" get more water in the bilge than a typical Rule-type mercury switch. The answer to that problem is installing a check valve on your outlet hose. This will leave almost no water in the bilge since very little can back feed. There's also a similar switch on the market by Aqalarm that runs for 15 seconds after the bilge is empty. I don't have this style, so I can't vouch for how trouble free it is. My guess would be that any type of smart switch will be more problematic than simpler technology.

I would highly recommend installation of a check valve no matter what type of system you have. The only concern I have with check valves is that water trapped in the hose tends to freeze. This sometimes can be a problem for me here in Maine. Winterizing the bilge with windshield washer anti-freeze solves the problem. I also have a back-up pump with no check valve and slightly higher float switch. This is the one my bilge alarm is connected to.

The Ultra Safety Systems Sr. switch has a more or less lifetime warranty. The company guarantees the switch for as long as you own your boat.

There might be better switches on the market, but this one is my choice based upon my experience over the last 30ish years.

Storm

[Banshee]

Because at 40 bucks a pop they were covered under warranty, I bought them from Rose Marine, a Stand Up outfit by the way, Then I discovered the Ultimate Safety switch, never had one problem , I replaced all the switches on the new boat as well. Rose marine told me they had a very very large return problem with those switches, mind you it was about 5 years ago. so maybe you got a good one, I tried.
JW

[captjohn22]

JD,
I had this one for 4 years in the grady and it never missed a beat, not once. And after years of fighting it, burning up wires etc., it was nice not to have to worry any more.



http://www.outerbanksoutfitters.com/.../356977868.htm

Had ten [10] Johnson switches. OEM on a 34' Glacier bay. EVERY ONE FAILED in less than two years! A few of the replacements failed also. Burned internally with blistering of the case.

[Banshee]

thats exactly what happened to me. Makes you wonder right.
They are kind of like Momoi Diamond fishing line , they were great till they got wet.
JW