Automatic Bilge Pump.

[cavasteve]

Hey fellow Cajun owners,
Does anyone know if the automatic bilge pumps are wired direct without the ability to switch them off. I was out in my classic '88 RGFM on Sunday, when I noticed the bilge pump running. Of course the bilge was high and dry. In order to stop it from running I had to disconnect the power to all my accessories. I want to place the automatic pump on a separate switch. I believe the automatic pump is a great idea, but it should not be wired in with everything else.
Any thoughts.
Steve

[JackOH]

An automatic bilge pump has a float located in the bilge area, if something gets stuck under, it will cause it to run constantly. You might want to check the float. As far as wiring, there should be an on/off switch on the dash somewhere, but I'm not sure of where it's at on your model. I like them wired so you can chose between off-automatic-on, gives you more flexibility.

[DJ from MN]

They are wired into the keyed, everybody out of the water, accessory switch. Jack hit it right on, you have something stuck under the float, or a sticky float, to make it run constant.

[CajunBass]

I don't believe the automatic pumps have a switch at all, other than the float switch. Think about it. You have your boat tied up at the dock and it starts to rain. If you don't have the switch in the proper position, your boat gets filled with water.

The float switch was the only one on mine. There is a manual one also of course.

[cavasteve]

Thanks guys!
In the next day or so I am going to take a good look at things. Might wait for it to cool off here in Richmond first HOT!!!! It's been in the upper 90's close to 100 and the humidity is killer too!

That pump is so far down there I am going to need a miner's hat just to see where I am going.

I have a blank accessory switch I might hook the automatic pump up to.

Wayne, you have a good point about the boat being tied up to the dock and it starts to rain. Hopefully I will be putting it on the trailer and going home unless there's a tournament going on!!!

I will keep everyone posted.

[DJ from MN]

My auto bilge (79 18' F/S) IS wired through my accessory kill switch. I only turn the switch off when I winter store it. No different than on a car. Takes weeks to run the battery down. Until you fire the boat, only thing making a draw to my knowledge is the gas gauge.

But, as stated elsewhere, that is the reason there is no wiring diagram out there. Every boat was wired according to how the set-up person felt that day. The one who wired mine must not have felt much like wiring a boat that day. Never saw such a mess. Rewired the entire boat.

[lothar418]

I had the same problem this past weekend. It was not the float. I disconnected the inline wiring plug and the bilge stopped, however, the switch on the dash was still lit while it was in the off position leading me to believe there is a short causing a circuit. I have not had a chance to trace the wiring back to the switch. I'll keep you posted. I have a '97 Espirit 180 Fish\Ski

[cavasteve]

I noticed to that the bilge light was on as well. The pump was running of course. I have a separate set of switches below the shift/throttle controls. The switch for the primary bilge/live wells feels a little mushy. Could be that it is worn out. I will most likely replace it.

[bigfishingstud]

mine is wired direct, it's cool running down the highway and it has been raining, your passing someone and the pump starts pumping water out ...

[Badgers]

I have a beautiful '95 Cajun with NO automatic bilge. I have been trying to figure out what to do about this for quite some time. I really can't take it on a lake and leave it for several days. Twice so far I have had water in the gas after it rained and the water was around the tank(the dealer said that the boat could sink and still no water would get in the gas). He also said that it would be a major job to put an automatic bilge in the boat now. I am thinking about buying something else so that I can leave my boat on the lake for the summer. This has been extremely costly and frustrating. Does anyone have any suggestions. I don't know how to wire the boat myself and when I bought it I never was given a manual. Thanks,

[JackOH]

Badgers, whoever told you it would be a major expense if full of it! My 1986 Cajun came without an automatic bilge pump,and I installed one for undr $25. All you have to do is add a bilge float in the bilge area,and change the wiring around a little. Or you can just replace the current pump with an automatic model. This is what I used: http://www.basspro.com/servlet...sults

[cavasteve]

Hi Guys,
Pulled the Ole Cajun out today to investigate the errant bilge pump. It turns out it was just stuck. I took a small dowel about three feet long and gave the pump a couple of taps and it quit running. I think that rough water on the Potomac did not agree with it. Now that the pump is no longer a worry, I look forward to taking the boat back out again. Having an older boat means having to pay a little more attention.

By the way if anyone has voltage regulator lying around for a '89 Mariner Mag II let me know. My tach not working and the battery is not getting charged so I am in need of one. This motor takes the big one and Mercury wants close to $500.00 for one. So if I can fine a used one, that would be great. For now I wll charge the cranking battery after each use

[CajunBass]

Steve, run down to your local NAPA store. They sell a TON of marine parts that are exactly the same as Mercuy parts, except they come in a plastic bag and not a box marked "Quicksilver."

Also, I dout your problem is voltage regulator, but a little thing called a "rectifier." When they go bad, your tac stops working, and your battery won't charge. Now rather this is the same thing as a "voltage regulator" or not, I don't know, but I used to pay about $15.00 for rectifiers at NAPA back in the old days. The one of Jefferson Davis Highway, across from DuPont was where I always got my parts. They might take a day or two or order them and get them in.

[cavasteve]

Wayne,
Thanks for the tip. I will run down to NAPA after work today. NAPA has built a new store on Jeff Davis, down near Heritage Chevrolet. It replaced the one in Chester. When I had trouble with my lower unit I took the boat over to a fellow by the name of Bruce Temple. He has his own shop on Jeff Davis across from DGSC. It was Bruce who advised that it was most likely the VR. But I am willing to give it a shot to try the rectifier. I was checking the Mercury web page today. I entered the motor's serial number. There was a schematic for the VR, but I did not see a rectifier. Could it be that it is built into the VR?
Steve

[CajunBass]

It could be built into the VR. My 87 and your 88 are different engines. I had an 88 but never had any trouble with anything but the lower units. Went through a couple of those.

[cavasteve]

Wayne,
Anything is possible I guess. I have found a used one, I might take a chance on it. Of course that is money that could go towards a new one. I picked up a Motor Guide Tiller operated trolling motor from my neighbor. I am starting to collect quite a few parts for this old boat. But that is the fun of it. I am going to try and find a windshield for it in the next few months. I will be a very happy camper once I get the charging system back in working order. The one good thing about having this boat besides fishing with my kids is that in working on it, I can pass what I know on to them.

Steve