"Jim" wrote in message
ink.net...

"kyle" wrote in message
ups.com...
hi all,

i am a first-time (newbie) owner of a bayliner 2150 classic. she will
sit in a freshwater lake (not on a lift, but in the water). there is
one problem with the boat: the bilge pump, when connected to the
battery, will just run and run, even if there is no water around it
(thus eventually killing the battery). the previous owner said he just
had it disconnected for the most part and would just run it when
needed. my situation is different than his -- i may be away for a
weekend, with the boat sitting in the water.. i don't want to come back
to a sunken boat, nor to a dead battery..

so, assuming it is the floater switch, can i replace that? or maybe
something is just blocking it? i don't know what the floater switch
looks like, but i do know where the bilge pump is under the motor..
could someone describe what to look for?

also, let's assume floater switch is faulty, have to replace it/pump..
what is the norm when the boat is in the water 24/7.. do people run an
electric cord down to their boat with a slow current battery charger
and just keep it charged with the bilge pump in automatic mode..? i'm
worried about theft/environment(rain) in that case.... one person
suggested solar powering a second battery.. another said get two bilge
pumps.. one on automatic to a second battery, then one to the manual
switch to the main battery? i then run into the problem of needing to
constantly charge the second battery...


thanks!


If this is the only thing wrong with your new boat then congratulations
are in order. You got a great deal.

A bilge pump shouldn't kill the battery in a week. The easiest thing for
you to do is get a fully automatic bilge pump and wire it directly to the
battery thru a waterproof fuseholder and fuse.
You need to consider the diameter of the existing hose and available space
for mounting the pump at the low point in the bilge.

Think about having a mooring cover made for the boat. It keeps the boat
cleaner, drier, and to some degree, safer from theft and vandalism.

Think about dual switched batteries. Every boat with an engine should have
them; IMO.
Jim



Just to add to the subject ... JimH had a point about the portable battery
charger. Most of them recommend removing the battery from the boat before
charging ... I suspect due to the potential of any gas fumes and sparks when
hooking up the portable charger. Built-in chargers that are hardwired to
the batteries are a different story and are what most boats on slips are
equipped with.

Eisboch