gilm
Seaman
Posts: 166
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Post by gilm on Jan 20, 2021 15:59:27 GMT -5
Are there more than one bilge pumps on a 245DC. I assume there is. One that automatically comes on even if batteries turned off (I hope) and one that runs via the switch on my helm. Is this correct?
Also, what is the best way to test the pumps, has anyone done this?
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Post by finatic on Jan 20, 2021 18:05:37 GMT -5
I kill two birds with one stone. Clean the bilge and check pumps at the same time. Cleaner in the bilge and flood with a hose until the pumps kick in. I do this at the start of every season and again mid season.
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Post by fishnfool on Jan 20, 2021 19:57:21 GMT -5
Bilge pumps are almost always hard wired to the battery - I believe it ABYC standard. It's why and how they can drain batteries when laid up when there's no battery charger connected to your batteries.
Not sure if your boat has more than one pump. My boat has 2, one fore and one aft. My switch will turn the aft on but both are connected to float switches so they will come on automatically whether my switches are on or off.
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Post by finatic on Jan 20, 2021 20:39:59 GMT -5
X2
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gilm
Seaman
Posts: 166
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Post by gilm on Jan 20, 2021 20:51:05 GMT -5
I kill two birds with one stone. Clean the bilge and check pumps at the same time. Cleaner in the bilge and flood with a hose until the pumps kick in. I do this at the start of every season and again mid season. Cleaner in the bilge ? How do you do that? Just curious? Do the two pills come out of separate discharge ports so you see both working Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Post by fishnfool on Jan 20, 2021 21:12:25 GMT -5
They sell bilge cleaner - starbrite I think. Otherwise water with some bleach in the mix will do the trick. Or spray your bilge down with Marine 31 and hose it out.
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gilm
Seaman
Posts: 166
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Post by gilm on Jan 20, 2021 21:28:23 GMT -5
They sell bilge cleaner - starbrite I think. Otherwise water with some bleach in the mix will do the trick. Or spray your bilge down with Marine 31 and hose it out. I hate to be stupid - but I only have access to the rear where the batteries, filter and power steering assist unit is. So how do you do this ? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Post by fishnfool on Jan 20, 2021 21:57:47 GMT -5
They sell bilge cleaner - starbrite I think. Otherwise water with some bleach in the mix will do the trick. Or spray your bilge down with Marine 31 and hose it out. I hate to be stupid - but I only have access to the rear where the batteries, filter and power steering assist unit is. So how do you do this ? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk My bilge access is through a large opening covered with a bifold door at my transom. I can access all of my fresh and raw water wash down pumps, aft bilge pump, sea cocks etc. I'm not familiar with how the DC are set up, but would expect similar style access at the transom.
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gilm
Seaman
Posts: 166
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Post by gilm on Jan 20, 2021 22:14:05 GMT -5
I hate to be stupid - but I only have access to the rear where the batteries, filter and power steering assist unit is. So how do you do this ? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk My bilge access is through a large opening covered with a bifold door at my transom. I can access all of my fresh and raw water wash down pumps, aft bilge pump, sea cocks etc. I'm not familiar with how the DC are set up, but would expect similar style access at the transom. So do you take a bucket of water with cleaner in it and dump it in so it goes down in the bilge and then take a hose and keep filling up till pumps come on? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Post by fishnfool on Jan 20, 2021 23:02:14 GMT -5
My bilge access is through a large opening covered with a bifold door at my transom. I can access all of my fresh and raw water wash down pumps, aft bilge pump, sea cocks etc. I'm not familiar with how the DC are set up, but would expect similar style access at the transom. So do you take a bucket of water with cleaner in it and dump it in so it goes down in the bilge and then take a hose and keep filling up till pumps come on? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk You can, or let it sit and slosh around in there for a little while before adding more water to flush it out. It's also a good way to test your pumps are working on occasion.
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Post by EasyPeasy on Jan 21, 2021 8:28:10 GMT -5
I hate to be stupid - but I only have access to the rear where the batteries, filter and power steering assist unit is. So how do you do this ? Hahaha - thank you for taking one for the team! I was wondering the same thing! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Post by hookedup on Jan 21, 2021 8:43:37 GMT -5
Since my 245DC is dry stored, I turned off the battery and ran a hose into the bilge ( you can access by the battery box, or the port or starboard hinged plates ) and filled it until the bilge pump cut on. I also found I had something blocking the starboard side keeping water there and not draining into the bilge. It wasn't fun, but I ended up running a fish tape from the bilge into the drain hole from the starboard. There is a lot of room to access the bilge on the side not blocked by the batteries. You can even see the aft bilge pump.
There is another bilge pump mid-ship but I haven't had a reason to find it. I can hear it run when I turn on the switch. It's a 750 GPH while the aft bilge pump is 2000 GPH.
Most everything is explained in the owners manual although it's not always easy to find.
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Post by finatic on Jan 21, 2021 9:05:22 GMT -5
There you go. The first few times I ran the hose and cleaner all kinds of sh/t came floating to the transom pump. And yes mix your cleaner into a 5 gallon bucket and dump in. While the boat is in the water if my son and I sit as far forward as possible the water will travel to the bow. That will engage my forward bilge pump.
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gilm
Seaman
Posts: 166
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Post by gilm on Jan 22, 2021 18:13:51 GMT -5
So one more stupid question - after I now understand about how to clean the bilge (I think) but my question is why?
Do the bilges get moldy, dirty etc. from what I see nothing can get down there?
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Post by hookedup on Jan 23, 2021 8:05:51 GMT -5
Unless your 245DC is different than mine you will get water there leading to mold and mildew. Water sloshing out of the fresh water overflow, water going into the rod holders draining into the bilge. Any water on the floor in the head or center storage drains into the bilge.
I’m sure there are more, but you get the idea. There will always be water finding it’s way into the bilge.
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