FWIW, this problem was caused by a short within the Water Wizard (?)
electronic float switch which was found to have an internal short, thus
throwing the bilge pump breaker. It looks like the water tight seal for the
wires of the Water Wizard gave it up and allowed water inside, shorting the
circuit.
Since I never trust the bilge pump or anything else attached to it when I am
away from the boat, I removed the switch and the pump works fine--when I turn
the breaker on while on board. Another example why I do not power anything on
board when I am not on board.
My previous adventure with a float switch failure (mechanical then) ran the
bilge pump continuously while the shore power was replenishing the power losses
from the battery. After x hours (or days?) of this, the Zantex battery charger
burned through an on board resister and stopped charging the batteries which
were subsequently drained completely by the time I returned to the boat.
If not for the resister (sacrificial maybe), the Zantex might have caught fire
and burned the boat to the waterline. Since then NOTHING electrical is ever
left on when no one is on board.
Charlie NelsonC&C 36 XL/kcbWater Phantom
On Sunday, April 7, 2024, 10:09:55 PM EDT, cenelson--- via CnC-List
<cnc-list@cnc-list.com> wrote:
My bilge pump breaker has recently started to disconnect immediately after
being switched on.
I suspect my rule pump has failed and developed a short to ground although it
might be a wire that has either shorted or it might be the water witch float
switch.
My thought is to just replace the pump and see if that does it—I have an
identical spare pump on board. BTW, I never rely on the float switch when away
from the boat—so this breaker is always off unless I am on board.
Other suggestions from listers are welcome.
Thanks,
Charlie NelsonC&C 36 XL/kcbWater Phantom
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