Bilge Pump Testing; Autofloat Switches - Maxum 2900 SE Sport Express Cruiser Owner's Manual

Bilge Pump Testing

Bilge pumps are critical to the safety of your boat. Check the bilge pumps often to make sure they are working.
Individually test each pump as follows:
1. Turn On bilge pump switch at helm.
2. Make sure water in bilge is pumped overboard.
If there is water in the bilge and the pump motor is running but not
pumping inspect the discharge hose for a kink or collapsed area.
If no problems are found, check the bilge pump housing for clogging
debris as follows:
1. Remove power cartridge:
a. Lift tab while rotating fins counter-clockwise.
b. Lift out power cartridge.
c. Clear outer housing of debris.
2. Reinstall power cartridge:
a. Make sure "O" ring is properly seated.
b. Coat "O" ring with a light film of vegetable or mineral oil.
c. Align two cams on either side of power cartridge with two
slots on outer housing and press power cartridge into housing
while twisting clockwise.
3. Check reinstallation by trying to twist fins counter-clockwise
without lifting tab; cartridge should stay in place.

Autofloat Switches

Automatic bilge pumps use electromagnetic float (autofloat) switches to turn On the pump whenever water rises
above a preset level in the bilge. One autofloat switch is mounted next to each automatic bilge pump. Autofloat
switches are wired directly to the battery and will normally function even when the boat is completely shut down and
left unattended.
Test the autofloat switches often as follows:
1. Push float switch test button up to turn
On bilge pump.
If the pump does not turn On, check the
inline fuse. If the fuse is good but the
switch doesn't work, it may indicate a bad
switch or possibly a low battery.
2. Push test button all the way down to
return the float switch to auto mode.
When test is completed on each float switch, you MUST push the test button all the way down to
the auto position to return the switch to auto mode!
FLOAT SWITCH TESTING
FLOAT UP - TEST MODE
BILGE PUMP SHOULD TURN ON
! CAUTION!
Chapter 2: Components/Systems
BILGE PUMP
COMPONENTS
TAB
"O" RING
POWER
LIGHT
CARTRIDGE
FILM
CAM
OF OIL
(TYPICAL)
FLOAT SWITCH
TEST BUTTON
FLOAT DOWN - AUTO MODE
BILGE PUMP SHOULD TURN OFF
FIN
OUTER
HOUSING
SLOT (TYPICAL)
29