Bilge pump, aft

[jengalati]

We are new boaters and bought a 1997 Maxim 3200 scr. It seems like there is more water in the bilge than before. When we started the engine and pushed the aft bilge button it did not light up and didn't seem to do anything. Does that mean the pump isn't working?

[mmwjr]

Ok a couple of things.

Yes the pump is not working if you turn it on at the helm and it is not running. you will need to first see if it is getting power but sounds like it is not since the switch light did not light. I would first check the fuse below the helm.

Where is the water coming from? rain, or a leak?
Is the water accumulating when the boat is sitting or only when the engines are running?

How much water are you talking about? one inch six,...?

[Phillbo]

Is the pump submerged in the water?

[jengalati]

Not sure. I will check tomorrow when we go back to boat. Thanks

[ertyqway]

On the 3200SCR, several things drain into the bilge, including some rain water channels. So if you're in a place where it rains, your bilge will never be dry. Even when the bilge pump runs, it can't get the last bit of water out because of the siphon-breaker bend in the outlet hose. I've always got an inch or two of water down there.

On the other hand, if the float switch is up and/or the bilge pump is significantly submerged and the pump is not running, it's busted and needs to be fixed ASAP.

[jengalati]

There is only a very small amount of water now. I found a black fuse button under the sink in the back of the boat. It says fuse for aft bilge. Otherwise where is the fuse for the bilge pump? So many wires under helm.

[mmwjr]

Originally Posted by jengalati

There is only a very small amount of water now. I found a black fuse button under the sink in the back of the boat. It says fuse for aft bilge. Otherwise where is the fuse for the bilge pump? So many wires under helm.

The one you found should be the only one. Smaller boats have them at the helm. Button? Is it a breaker instead of a fuse? At some point they switched to breakers and larger boats typically got upgrades first.

[jengalati]

I have attached a picture of the fuse switch that is located under the sink in the back of the boat. Is this where I check the fuse? I see there are a lot of wires under the helm, but how do you tell what they are for?

[mmwjr]

Yep these are the only fuses for the bilge pump. If they test good check for voltage at the switch at the helm. If no voltage you have some troubleshooting to do and we can help guide you through that. If there is voltage at the switch you them need to verify there is voltage at the pump. No voltage at the pump more troubleshooting, voltage present means a bad pump.