My battery is less than a year old. Never had any problems leaving it 3-4 weeks, cranks right up. Last sunday, realized battery was dead. Jumped it, went out all day, things were fine. Yesterday, battery is dead again.
I have a rule automatic bilge pump, that runs continuously, literally clicks on for a few seconds about every minute. I dont know if the sensor is broken or what, it always runs (but that hasn’t been a problem in the past). I suspect this to be the cause of the battery drain. The reason is that my boat is usually covered, but was left uncovered this past week, with lots of rain.
I plan to keep the boat covered in the future, I would just like to avoid situations like yesterday, where I am ready to go out, and my battery is dead.
I am wondering if my 10 month old battery is shot already, or if a battery on/off kill switch is the way to go? I don’t have any experience with these, so any suggestions on which model or how to install would be appreciated.
By the way, the boat is a 17cc sea pro, 1 battery, with small ff and radio. The electronics were off, so that is not what caused the drain. Thanks for your help CF.
not likely the auto bilge is the cause of your problem, just by cycling to look for a load. thats how the auto pumps with no float switch function.
they run for about 5 seconds, and if they dont detect a load, then they shut back off.
I would be looking for another cause.
It is a good idea to have a battery disconnect switch because 1. It prevents the battery from draining from faulty devices like you mentioned and 2. it allows you to quickly disconnect power in an emergency.
All you will need is an On/Off switch (I recommend Blue Seas Systems). If your battery cable has ring terminals that connect to studs on the battery it will be a lot easier to install. Just remove the postive cable to the battery and attach to the switched side of the switch. Then purchase a new cable to go from the input side of the switch to the battery positive. Install the switch per mfg. notes in an accessable spot that won’t get wet if you take on some water.
I wouldn’t use the automatic pumps like that, I’ve had three to go bad, two on the same boat. They would continusly run till the battery would drain, they were coverd under Rule’s warranty, but it didn’t pay for the time and dead battery. I won’t install one of the “smart pumps”, I have had decent luck with Rule other wise( they all suck) , and have started using the heavy duty rule float switch, haven’t had one go bad yet.
I’m with Spare also…used Rule for ever with no many probs. Anything can happen at any time so a Guest switch/power switch would be a good idea imo…Make sure you take the plug out when you put it up and Remember to put it back in !!!
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Ok, well my dumb-ss let the boat left the boat uncovered again this week. Lots of water in the bilge, hooked battery up to the charger, pump is now dead- submerged, drowned presumably. So I am looking for recommendations for a replacement automatic bilge pump on a budget (grad student here). It appears that rule does not manufacture the ‘cycling’ style of pump I had previously.
