Sensatron bilge switch.

[The Commodore]

I have a problem with a Sensatron Water Witch bilge switch, "the switches have a electronic sensor switch that automatically detect water in your bilge", so the description says. Mine had a bad connection on the connection block, remade the connection and rather than put it back i decided to hook it up and make sure all was well.

On initial hook up the pump would run for around 10 seconds without any sign of water, i put this down to maybe the electronics setting themselves. I then added water to the bucket, passed the sensors and eventually filled the bucket, no pump! as there are no working parts i wonder if there is anything i can do or is it for the bin ?

[Guest]

I have a problem with a Sensatron Water Witch bilge switch, "the switches have a electronic sensor switch that automatically detect water in your bilge", so the description says. Mine had a bad connection on the connection block, remade the connection and rather than put it back i decided to hook it up and make sure all was well.

On initial hook up the pump would run for around 10 seconds without any sign of water, i put this down to maybe the electronics setting themselves. I then added water to the bucket, passed the sensors and eventually filled the bucket, no pump! as there are no working parts i wonder if there is anything i can do or is it for the bin ?

You are the second person that I have encountered with this problem in the space of a week. IIRC the sensors were corroded on the other persons pump.

Edited October 11, 2009 by Guest

[The Commodore]

maybe witchcraft

 

The sensors on my unit are fine, the whole unit looks in good order but as its a seeled unit, who knows

 

[blackrose]

Isn't it supposed to work using the conductivity of the water to make the circuit? If a submersible switch corrodes that seems a bit ridiculous.

[WotEver]

Isn't it supposed to work using the conductivity of the water to make the circuit?

 

Don't see how that could work. The water is in contact with the hull and is therefore 'tied' to the negative bus.

 

Tony

Edited October 12, 2009 by WotEver

[RLWP]

Don't see how that could work. The water is in contact with the hull and is therefore 'tied' to the negative bus.

 

Tony

 

Some level sensors work by capacitance. The liquid acts as the electrolyte between two plates.

 

Richard

[WotEver]

Some level sensors work by capacitance. The liquid acts as the electrolyte between two plates.

 

Richard

I could see how THAT could work

[The Commodore]

any suggestion of a fix.

[ThePiglet]

I don't know these pumps, but aren't there some bilge pumps that work by turning on briefly every few minutes/seconds and sensing the power used to turn the pump.

If it's higher then expected it'll keep running till it drops. Perhaps you have this type?

[grandbanks]

any suggestion of a fix.

 

You may not have a problem. Believe it or not, these switches won't work in clean fresh water. They need some level of contamination to operate. Also, they have an 8 second delay before starting - which you noticed.