RT188 Auto Bilge Pump Tip

[Bill Reynolds]

Last time out, my automatic bilge pump started coming on every two minutes or so. It would only run for an instant, but I happened to see the light on the switch blink and investigated further. I disconnected the fuse on the main battery lead to the automatic circuit so as not to run the battery down and continued fishing for a couple days. Once I was back home I checked the internet and discovered this U-Tube video.


When I removed the bilge pump to clean it as suggested in the video, I discovered another problem. As shown in the first picture, Ranger installed the pump with a straight fitting causing the rubber hose to force the pump housing against the aluminum plate the batteries are mounted on. This constant rubbing wore a slot into the plastic housing in just over a year. To solve the problem, I replaced the straight fitting with an elbow and cut a little off the rubber hose as shown in the second picture. I have not heard of anyone else having this problem but It may just be a matter of time. Hope this helps.

[Boatwarehouse]

This problem should be warrantied if brought to a dealer. If you find this problem and are under warranty your dealer should have no problem fixing it at no charge.

[richg99]

I always wonder just who designs things that poorly. Sheesh.

[oldgoat188]

So Bill, how hard is it to reach everything down there?

[Bill Reynolds]

I always wonder just who designs things that poorly. Sheesh.

I agree, and to make matters worse: The pump is packaged with both the straight fitting and the elbow. The Tech had to make a decision when he installed the pump and he chose the most difficult one to install.
However, I was impressed with the design and manufacturing of the pump.

[Bill Reynolds]

So Bill, how hard is it to reach everything down there?

Not too bad. Just remove the center battery and lay across the deck. biggest problem I had was finding the elbow fitting without buying the entire pump package. Fortunately, my local dealer is very good at finding weird parts.

[Skeeterbait]

No clue why yours was installed that way from the factory. Mine came with a 90 degree elbow from the factory just as you have yours ran now. I even used the empty space beside it to mount my transducer.

[Bill Reynolds]

Good Deal, hopefully mine was an exception.