Replacing Sump Float Switch -Again!
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- čas přidán 16. 05. 2024
- Another sump float switch has failed, this one after only one year of use. At least discovered it was faulty before there was another flood; • Our Shower Sump Overfl...
If you're interested in getting this float (sold as a set of two), here's a link to Amazon. Please note that I am not endorsing these units, as I don't have any long term experience as to how well they may last; amzn.to/3K2Q4lG
We purchased our lovely Sea Ray 370 Sundancer Sight Unseen! To see our entire journey, please check out my 'Buying A Boat - The Good, Bad & Ugly' playlist here: • Buying A Boat - Sea Ra...
Filmed May, 2024.
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For a look at nearly 100 DIY boat repairs videos, check out my 'How I Did It - Boat Repairs and Upgrades' playlist; • How I Did It - Boat Re...
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Boat Specs;
- Model: 1998 Sea Ray 370 Sundancer
- Length (bow to transom): 37-6", LOA (with factory swim platform): 40'-1"
- Beam: 12'-7"
- Dry Weight: 17,000 lbs
- Fully Loaded Weight: Boat + Fuel (1,664) + Water (580) + Gear (1,250 +/-) = 20,500 LBS
- Fuel Capacity: 275 U.S. gallons, 1,040 litres
- Draft: 32”
- Dead Rise: 20 degrees
- Engines: 2 x 7.4 litre Mercruiser Bluewater, Multi-Port fuel injection, gasoline, raw water cooled, rated at 310 HP
- Transmissions: 2 x Borg Warner Velvet Drives, in Vee-Drive configuration
- Generator: Westerbeke 7.2 Kw BCGTC @ 60 Hz, gasoline powered & carburated, 3,600 RPM continuous engine speed
- 18,000 (total) BTU (12 + 6), reverse cycle heating/air conditioning
- Shore Power: 2 x 30 Amp, 120 V connections
- Freshwater Holding Tank: Single 70 U.S. Gallon tank
- Waste (black-water) Holding Tank: Single 40 U.S. Gallon
Video/Photo Equipment Used (Updated list, 2024);
- DJI Pocket 2; amzn.to/4aTN6vO
- GoPro Hero 7 Black; amzn.to/4b9VG9k
- GoPro suction cup mount; amzn.to/49Zo8cW
- DJI Mavic Mini 3 for Aerial Drone Shots; amzn.to/4b9DoF6
- Mavic Mini Carrying Case; amzn.to/49WDTkQ
- Google Pixel 6 Pro + iPhone 12 for still photos + supplemental video
- Editing done with Vegas Movie Studio 11
* Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Happy Boating :-)
Funny thing that I was always replacing my sump float switch on my ‘99 Sea Ray 400 sedan bridge. I will say that I watched all of your 400 sedan videos and it helped me proactively service all the items I found. I loved that boat while I owed it.
Glad they helped! No Boat anymore for you?
About to do this too with a failed almost brand new shower sump and switch! And thanks for the other video tip!!!
Hopefully we both have better luck with the new products! Very frustrating to have them fail so quickly 😕
I would recommend replacing with a Rule brand switch, they are more money but usually last for many years.
I have rule brand on my 1997 boat , they are still working , no kidding , the date is on them .
I might have to look into that. But first, I'm doing some shopping for a couple new dash gauges, so wish me luck 🤞
Great!!
At least you caught it that's a good thing. No flooding. Boogaboo is awesome can't wait to see the boat season begin. 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍
Yes, I'm glad there was no flood this time 🙂
We had the same problem on our Searay a couple of times. Sometimes we replaced the switch every two weeks. Always fun in the holidays😎After changing to an electronic float switch the problem was solved for some years.
My concern with the electronic ones (with the probes that sit in the water) they might foul up easy with the soapy water from the shower.
Had the same problem on my 400SB. Have changed the float switch in the sump the last 2 years. Now i keep an eye on it more often
When we first bought our new-to-us 400 Sedan Bridge ( Sea Ray 400 Sedan Bridge: czcams.com/play/PLKhjT5kr2l2FaABQJSn3VVqd6SN930ICt.html ) back in 2010, the whole concept of a shower sump was brand new to us, but I learned all about it on Night One aboard and have been dealing with those things ever since 😒
Wonder if we will see another episode of changing the float switch next year?! lol....interesting looking switch.
Geez, I hope not 🤓
Before we set out on a 200 mile trip in our trawler, I decided to change out our float switches and the bilge pumps (2) to be sure sure that we would not have any issues. Sure enough both failed about 1/2 way back leaving us with only the manual bilge pumps which I don't think had ever been used. They worked but quite a workout for sure. It's a good thing these switches and pumps are given away free because they are just junk to begin with :) Makes me wonder what the commercial guys use?
Sadly, most replacement parts are produced with only one focus; making it cheaper than the other guy selling them online. The only solution, I believe, would be returning those manufacturing facilities to North America, but those days aren't coming back in my lifetime...
I replaced my mechanical float switch with a Water Witch. It is a water sensor with no moving parts.
I'll look into that.
I did the same.
I got rid of the shower pump all together. I run directly into the bilge the bilge pumps it all out . I have a very clean bilge !
If I did that, all my tools would get wet - again 😉
Again? At this point I would get paranoid and wire it like a proper basement/elevator sump pump with a redundant high-level float switch (wired in parallel). So if the FIRST fails and it gets right up to the top the second kicks in. I mean, you already have the second one? Just need to mount it up a bit on a block.
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I replaced mine with an electric cork float it’s supposed to last forever it was expensive about 300.00 but I’m extremely happy and will give you more information if you are interested
On our next boat, I think I'd install a larger sump, maybe with some sort of overflow tank for redundancy. And, a better float switch.
I use bilge cleaner in my sump drains a few times each season. I put it down the drain with just enough water to rinse it to the drain box. I was wondering if you use the mixture of baking soda and white vinegar in the sump to keep it clean?
I just asked Anchor Girl and she tells me that the vinegar and baking soda mixture goes down the head sink and into the sump. Apart from that, she uses basic cleaner with lots of clean water to rinse, which is key to keeping it smell free.
I put one in the bilge pump not the shower sump but if you replace your bilge pump you should use the one I used those switches aren’t what they used to be without the mercury in them they don’t last
Agreed, but I don't think mercury can be used in these types of products anymore.
I have learned time and time again that "you get what you pay for". Those are cheap overseas switches that are not well built. Stick with rule, Atwood, etc., And they will last much longer.
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I'll just do a dry run with some water. Ha! 😁
You caught that, eh 🤣
how does water get inside to the pump and switch to activate it if the box is waterproof? sorry i only own a jon boat with a bilge pump. I'm considering installing a float switch so i can camp over night with my boat on the beach. i have some leaky rivets.
Sump boxes are fed with hoses, you can see them at the start of the video. One from the shower drain and one or more for ac condensate. And some boats feed sink drains into the sump box instead of directly overboard.
Here's a video I produced earlier this year that looks at the sump box we had on a previous boat. Same concept on our current Sea Ray Sundancer; czcams.com/video/YhTsL70MVNc/video.html
Correct, but two A/C condensate lines on this vessel - one of which I replaced when swapping out the aft air conditioner unit a few weeks ago; czcams.com/video/C6CpH-bts1Y/video.html
What is it with these switches!?! I've gone through 2 Attwood switches in my sump in the last 3 years. I have a replacement similar to yours going in this weekend. I've been managing by keeping an eye on it and "banging" on the side of the sump box to activate it. Bring back the mercury switch!
Banging the side of the sump isn't very effective on our boat and having someone doing that every time the other is in the shower isn't gonna happen. At least our shower is equipped with a red light that comes on every time the pump is activated. That way, I'd know when my tools are getting flooded again if that light doesn't go in 🫣
That is what I dislike about old boats, it is just one thing after another. Boats are what they are, but I got tired of the constant repairs. I sold my old boat and bought a much newer boat . Some people treat them as a hobby, I just found it was too much work, often I couldn't use the boat until repairs were made and the expense really took away the enjoyment.
His float switch was new a season or two ago. About the same age as yours
I hear ya, but even brand new boats are subject to the exact same part failures as our 25 year old boat. This float was only one season old but it failed. On our last boat, the brand new Vacuflush bellows failed in a little over a month. Fully half of the LED bulbs I replaced on our current Boogaboo have failed after 1-1/2 seasons. I could go on, but you probably get the idea.
A few years ago there was a highly insightful CZcams video produced by the owner of a brand new Azimut yacht which detailed a seemingly endless list of issues, failures and nearly non existent after sales service. Unfortunately, that video was taken down after a few months for unknown reasons, but it told a very eye opening story of why nobody should expect perfection, just because their chequebook was bigger than most.
Bingo.
Just wait till all of your electronics fail on that new boat 😂
@@user-ph8sh9kt9v Not worried, bought extended warranty, besides Sea Ray looks after their customers, had very good experience with them at Head Office
What happened to those switches is the stopped using mercury in them and now they are junk
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Why are all the float switches junk. Mine too
Cheap, offshore imports, no matter what the brand is on them now...
I'm beginning to think that you live for boat projects not that I object to watching them, I'm just aayin
This time of year - start of the season - projects like this just come to me. I don't even have to look 😂
They call you the working man
I just got scammed by a so called macanic for $3000 dollars for a motor. It has a cracked block behind the manifold. He is not willing to help in any way 😢
No recourse on that??
All these parts are made in China. They’re all junk. They even go bad when you’re in dry dock over the winter. The float switch, absorbs water and shorts out. It’s not about the old boat. It’s about the maintenance freak or not who owns the boat. Boats are expensive, and we’re all guilty of cutting corners where we can, and sometimes those are the areas causing the issues. If we could make products in our own countries keeping the price down and not manufacturing in China we’d all be happier. As for old boats you have to assume everything is broken or on its way, nothing lasts forever especially if it’s a salt water boat like mine. My boat is a 2003 so I expect the expense for every season but i also stay ahead of it. Example, i change risers and manifolds every 6 years no matter what, thats rule of thumb. And batteries every 4-5 years, i have 6 on my boat, the point is id rather be secure knowing then waiting for sea- tow In rolling waves. My boat has a leaky rear seal on starboard engine that cant be repaired while in the boat so I bought an extra trans for when the time comes to not be held up waiting on a repair shop. Anyway ill stop here, thats just overkill maintenances freak me.
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