Bilge pump breakers

[buster53]

Ok guys, on my 356 next to my battery switch, there are 3 breakers for the bilge pumps and 2 for the sump pumps. They are not your standard breaker panel breaker switches.

How do you switch them on and off?

[tomschauer]

tooth pick works.

[bud37]

A real thin, instrument type screw driver also if they are the accidental trip proof breakers.

[km1125]

They are made that way to eliminate you from switching them off (inadvertently or intentionally) and not switching them back on, putting your vessel at risk.

Why do you want to switch them off?

[buster53]

Ok, using a sharp instrument I have in my tool box, I see how easy it is to pop them off.
Thanks guys.
I'm having bilge/sump pump issues and being able to turn them off easily, will make troubleshooting easier.
Also, I have 3 CO detectors on my boat. I need to be able to turn them off when we are not on the boat. If I don't, they drain the battery just enough to set off the low battery alarm. When I come back to the boat on Friday night, I have 3 chirping alarms going off.

[Midnightsun]

This is not normal, the batteries are most likely on their way out or something else is draining the batteries. The CO detectors will consume power but not that much. If the detectors are original then they are considered non functional by todays standards and should be changed. Newer units consume much less power than their predecessors. Detector sensor life span is 7-10 years. https://www.kidde.com/home-safety/en/us ... larm_.html

[Viper]

I agree, with everything else shut off, the detectors shouldn't be killing your batteries. If they are, I'd recommend testing the batteries or evaluating DC loads that are on while away such as a fridge operating on DC instead of AC.

Also consider that you should be leaving your charger on during the week, not only will it maintain your battery power but if something happens and your bilge pumps need to operate for an extended period, they'll kill your battery power way faster than your detectors except when they stop working, your ship may be heading to the bottom. Having said that, you only want to leave a battery charger on all week while you're away only if it's a smart charger or you'll likely shorten the lifespan of your batteries, at the very least, you'll probably have to top up the electrolyte on a regular basis.

[buster53]

Midnightsun, yes, they are original, so they do have some age on them.
Viper, been boating on larger boats for 25 years and always unplug the boat while away. I would say the majority of boats at our marina are unplugged as well

[Midnightsun]

Source of the post Midnightsun, yes, they are original, so they do have some age on them.
Viper, been boating on larger boats for 25 years and always unplug the boat while away. I would say the majority of boats at our marina are unplugged as well

The CO units need to be changed as they may not work when needed

I guess people do things differently from area to area. I have been boating for all my adult life. Never have I seen a boat that has the capability of shore power which is not plugged in.

Batteries need to remain charged which is essential for bilge pumps. Fridges are stocked and not something we would empty every weekend just to fill the next. Beer is cold when we get there. AC remains on at all times at dock to keep humidity at bay and makes it comfortable when one arrives. I have security cameras which rely on internet which needs 12vdc juice once again the batteries would not survive if the charger was not operational. Personally I cannot see a larger boat being unplugged when one leaves.

[buster53]

Source of the post Midnightsun, yes, they are original, so they do have some age on them.
Viper, been boating on larger boats for 25 years and always unplug the boat while away. I would say the majority of boats at our marina are unplugged as well

The CO units need to be changed as they may not work when needed

I guess people do things differently from area to area. I have been boating for all my adult life. Never have I seen a boat that has the capability of shore power which is not plugged in.

Batteries need to remain charged which is essential for bilge pumps. Fridges are stocked and not something we would empty every weekend just to fill the next. Beer is cold when we get there. AC remains on at all times at dock to keep humidity at bay and makes it comfortable when one arrives. I have security cameras which rely on internet which needs 12vdc juice once again the batteries would not survive if the charger was not operational. Personally I cannot see a larger boat being unplugged when one leaves.

Our marina is different from most. Electricity is included in the rent unless you stay plugged in while not there and the marina charges extra for that. Most of us are too cheap to pay. The little bit of food we carry to and from is no big deal. Having the AC running is not that important and some of us will call a dock neighbor and ask to plug in and get the AC and refrig going an hour or so before arriving. Most of our boats are not locked, and many have keys in the ignition or hidden within a few feet of the ignition. In fact, on any given weekend, most cars in the parking lot are not locked and more than a few have keys in the ignition or in a door pocket. The marina has 3-4 vehicles available for use by any slipholder and the keys are always sitting in the console.
Security systems on boats....non that I know of. The marina does have 1 security camera on site and that is the only one I am aware of.
Our marina is one big family and we look out for each other.