bilge pump cycling too frequently

M

margaritaville

Member
Joined
Jun 12, 2007
RO Number
26765
Messages
49
supposed to be a new pump....there is a small amount of water in the bilge, so the pump keeps coming on for a second, then right off again. It's not enough water to get out so this keeps happening, about every 5-10 min or so.

How do I fix this? I have never dealt with this type of pump before, I think someone on here called it a "solid state" pump - it's just a cylinder (Rule? 500) there isn't a float switch that I can see like my shower pump.

Could this burn my pump out?
 
Sounds normal for this type of pump. It cycles on every few minutes to see if there is any water to pump out based on pump load. Most do not use a water sensor.
 
thanks Rommer - if it's normal then can I presume the constant cycling on and off won't burn it out prematurely?
 
In my experience they do tend to burn out sooner than a float-type setup. The pump is designed to come on every few minutes. When the pump comes on the chip in it senses the load; if there is enough load it figures there is water and it'll keep pumping till the load drops. If there is a leaf, splinter, or anything in the pump that doesn't get flushed out the pump will run till it burns up or the battery goes dead.

You can have the same problem with a stuck float.

Keep your strainers and your bilges clean.
 
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