Bilge Pumps Refit - High Water Alarms

[vineyardgray]

Looks like there are multiple points of contact to sense water:

IMG_20200813_2133142.jpg

[vineyardgray]

These are smaller than expected:

IMG_20200813_2144309.jpg

[vineyardgray]

The manual switch is momentary and returns to off. I kinda wish it returned to Auto, but what can I say. LED's in the switch show at a glance what's going on so that is nice. Integrated alarm piezo, fuse and monitor are nice as well. Lots of connections:

IMG_20200813_2145018.jpg

[vineyardgray]

I bought some pre-built looms as well.

IMG_20200813_2130520.jpg

[vineyardgray]

I know you guys might be chastising me in your mind for not making my own looms, which I certainly could have done, but I don't have any experience with these connectors so I figure I can terminate half here and be a pro after that

IMG_20200813_2155597.jpg

[vineyardgray]

IMG_20200813_2156135.jpg

[vineyardgray]

Tools? Ya we need those:

IMG_20200813_2200425.jpg

[vineyardgray]

Twas supposed to be a rainy day so I went to the workshop to build some panels to house the pump controls. At the club we are lucky to have a workshop for the members loaded with shop equipment which is very nice.

My plan is to recess the three switches and a single mute switch into the top step of the companionway.

I chose this location because the wiring already runs to here as the bilge breakers were under the step where the battery switch used to be located. I *could* have put them under the panel where the old battery switch used to be but I wouldnt have been able to enjoy the LED lightshow and I figure if I'm going to drop a wad on something as boring as bilge pumps I should at least be able to enjoy some LED's.

So I cut out the top step.

IMG_20200816_1924138.jpg

Then I made a backer board to house the controls (here it is with a test fit of the controls)

IMG_20200816_1834004.jpg

Then I test fit all the switches -

IMG_20200816_1848228.jpg

Should look something like this (only better, hopefully) -

IMG_20200816_1847058.jpg

[vineyardgray]

Oooh Eeee!

IMG_20200818_2014027.jpg

IMG_20200818_2014119.jpg

IMG_20200818_2014271.jpg

Can't wait to get power on these puppies!

[vineyardgray]

The plan is to follow this schematic:

IMG_20200821_1452468.jpg

Except this thing goes in between:

IMG_20200821_1453567.jpg

Problemo numero uno - my current bilge wiring has three wires to each bilge location and the alarm adds two more conductors that we ain't got. Or do we?

IMG_20200821_1502112.jpg

IMG_20200821_1514251.jpg

Fine strand 14awg.

IMG_20200821_1521158.jpg

I know I could have just used the existing and added two more but this will certainly be a more robust installation and I wasn't too nuts about the condition of the existing either. Some of the copper had gone all pink and brittle - very bizarre.

Hopefully there is enough room for this new wire where the old was and I haven't made a mistake. Time will tell.

Pumps arrive tomorrow.