SEACHOICE Universal Bilge Pump Instruction Manual

SEACHOICE Universal Bilge Pump

TROUBLESHOOTING SECTION

Reduced flow

| Plugged strainer| Clean the outside of the strainer and clean debris from around the impeller.
Discharge line plugged| Clean out the hose by backflushing.
Low battery voltage| Check battery condition and charge if necessary.
Kinked discharge hose| If the hose is kinked because of a sharp bend, convert it to a hose that will not kink at bends.

No water pumped

| ****

Wire connections

| Make sure wire connections are not corroded. A visual check is not enough a slight pull on each wire will tell if the wires are still joined. Check to be sure no wire joins are hanging down into the water.

Fuse melted

| Check the fuse to see that it is the correct size if the fuse still blows, check the impeller through the inlet opening to be sure it is not jammed or stuck with debris.

Float switch failure

| Lift the end of the float switch -if the pump runs, the switch is OK. If the pump does not run, turn Manual SWITCH TO on the position pump runs, the automatic switch has failed.

Pump won’t shut off

| Something under float| Clean under the float to make sure debris is not holding the float up.

Stuck float

| Check to see that the float is loose and free of gummy bilge oil. If float action appears sluggish and/or the float does not move freely, intermittent or sporadic operation of the pump may occur. This condition is usually the result of oil and/or Dirt accumulating in and around the movable parts of the switch. To correct this, try soaking the entire switch in Marine cleaner for ten minutes, agitating several times, and checking for smooth and free operation of the float. Repeat if necessary.

The switch was mounted too low.

| If the pump is sucking air and the automatic switch has not reached the OFF position, then the switch may be mounted too low for the pump and should be reinstalled at least 1/4 higher than the pump base.
Wires overheated. Melted insulation| Combination of jammed impeller and wrong size fuse.| Be sure the impeller is clean of debris and is free to rotate. Reduce fuse to proper size. Replace damaged wiring and/or switch.
Repeated melted fuse| Fuse size or jammed impeller| Be sure the fuse has an amp rating. Check the impeller to see that it is not bound up by fish line, etc.

INSTRUCTIONS

STEP 1
Remove the strainer from the bottom of the pump by depressing the lock tabs on both sides of the pump.

CAUTION: The Strainer must always be properly installed before attaching and running the pump.

STEP 2
Determine the desired location for the pump. If only one pump is used it is usually located where the water is deepest in the bilge while the boat is at rest. The installation must allow for complete drainage of the hose. All water pockets must be eliminated by having the hose running level or continuously upward.

STEP 3
Position the strainer so that the pump nozzle is in the proper position to connect to the discharge hose.

STEP 4

• A. If attaching the strainer to wood, fasten it with stainless steel screws.
• B. If attaching the strainer to metal or fiberglass, first mount a wooden block and then fasten the strainer to the wooden block.

STEP 5
Mount the pump on the strainer so that both 11/2″ lock- tabs snap into place. (The pump may be reversed on these tabs if so desired.)

STEP 6
Attach 1 1/8″ I. D . Hose to the discharge nozzle and fasten with a stainless steel clamp. The hose (Model #80) is recommended because it will not kink when making sharp bends. If your pump is replacing a competitive model with small diameter hose which is hard to replace, you may use the Adaptor Model #69 to adapt to the smaller hose.

Note
Restricting the flow from the pump by using a smaller hose does not damage the pump. However, it will reduce the flow.

STEP 7
A. For most installations, install a full size 11/8″ I. D. Thru-hull fitting to achieve the rated flow of the pump. Located the thru-hull fitting at least 12″ above the water line to prevent water from flowing back into the hull when the pump is off. B. For stern installations, place the 11/8″ thru-hull fitting high enough in the stern so that submergence of the fitting will not occur under any conditions.

STEP 8
To prevent electrolysis and corroded wire connections, it is essential that all wire ends and terminals be sealed with heavy-duty marine sealant and located above the highest possible water level by fastening with insulated staples or plastic straps. When installing your pump, 16 gauge wire should be used. However, if your installation is over 20″ from the battery source, the wire size should be increased to 14 gauge. Using a wire that is too small causes undesirable heat in the wires and results in a voltage drop and lower performance of the pump.

STEP 9
To protect your electrical wiring and automatic switch from possible overload install a fuse in the positive(+) lead from the battery. If using a panel switch with a fuse holder, check to see that the proper fuse is being used. You may wish to install a panel Switch with a built-in fuse holder.

STEP 10
Follow one of the two wiring diagrams:

Wiring for manual Operation
The manual system is the simplest but it only provides ON-OFF control of the pump. Consequently, pumps are often left ON longer than necessary.

Wiring for Automatic Operation
The automatic system assures that the vessel is always pumped out, even when unattended. It extends the life of the pump and your battery by automatically shutting the pump off when the water has been pumped out. The automatic system can also provide for manual control of the pump by installing a panel switch. These switches have a “fail-safe” feature which automatically returns the switch to the “off” position, preventing the pump from being inadvertently left on.

STEP 11
Polarity is important. If it is not correct, the pump rotates backward. Water will still come out of the discharge nozzle but the flow will be very much reduced. On the 1500/2000 pump, the correct polarity will be obtained when the brown wire of the pump is connected to the POS or + side of the battery. The way to verify that the direction of rotation (and thus the polarity) is correct is to look into the running and see if the impeller rotates in the direction of the arrow molded into the bottom. Never insert fingers or other objects into the inlet hole.

STORAGE

The pump itself is not affected by freezing temperatures. However, if the pump is embedded in ice or surrounded by ice, it cannot be used. Never turn the pump on if it is embedded in or surrounded by ice.

Specifications

• Product Name : Universal Bilge Pump
• Flow Rate : Varies based on model
• Power Source : DC Power
• Material : Durable plastic construction
• Usage : Boat bilge water drainage

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: How do I know if my pump is not working properly?
A: If you experience reduced flow, no water pumped, or the pump won’t shut off, follow the troubleshooting guide provided in the manual to diagnose and resolve common issues.

Q: Where should I position the pump in the bilge?
A: Locate the pump where the water is deepest in the bilge when the boat is at rest. Ensure proper drainage of the hose and eliminate water pockets by positioning the hose level or continuously upward.

Q: How do I clean the strainer?
A: To clean the strainer, depress the lock tabs to remove it from the pump, then clean any debris or blockages from the strainer before reinstalling it properly.

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