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i just got a 2004 190 nantucket a month ago and was womdering how I put the bilge pump to automatic. The only way it comes on now is if you turn the bilge switch on the panel on. After the last several rain storms a good bit of water collects and I need to turn the battery on and bilge it out. I thought that the bilge was still operational even with battery turned off? I keep the boat in the water and keep the drain plug in. Is there a switch on the bilge pump itself that turns it to automatic not manual? Sorry if this question is stupid, i looked at the bilge pump today and didnt see anything

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John,

It depends on how the bilge pump is hooked up.
NOT all bilge pumps will work with the battery turned OFF.
The automatic side of the bilge pump needs to be connected directly to the battery with an inline fuse if it is going to work when the battery switch is turned OFF.

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John, I had the same problem of always having to run out & turn the bilge pump on, then off after it pumped water out. Found out there are 2 types of bilge pumps-auto & manual- You either have to get a float switch & add it to a manual pump, or get an auto pump. I didn'y have enough room for an extra float switch in bilge, so i opted to get an atwood sahara 500gph auto bilge pump. Then you need to add a 3-way switch to dash-auto-off-manual. follow the simple wiring diagram (I decided to replace old pump wiring with 16ga tinned wire to ensure that wouldn't be a problem) put pump switch in auto & leave there-test by running some water to pump, if it turns on by itself, you're done. here's a link to where i bought mine off amazon-http://www.amazon.com/Attwood-Auto-Pu...d_sbs_sg_2-It was the best price by far.--I bought my 3-way switch though off a local merchant-tj mahoney, as it already had a fuse built in on panel-$29.95, if you can't find one already fused, put an in-line fuse on as already mentioned, price for 3-way-pump was $38.62. works great-hope this helps you out--Rich

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I have my automatic Rule pump wired directly to the battery, no switch (just an in line fuse), so nothing to forget to turn on . It's always on the ready, comes on when needed and works great.

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The "Float switch" for a larger boat's onboard shower stall drain "Bilge pump" is small, and can fit nicely in tight spot's next to the pump. Wire it right in, I use no panel switch, protect with an in-line "Waterproof" fuse (the fuse should be rated slightly higher than the pump amp draw). I use the "Rule" 500 gph bilge pump. If you run a wire up to the Helm from the "On" side of the pump to a red LED light, then just ground it, it will light up and been seen from a good distance when the pump kicks on, this is helpful at night in the rain if you are "Moored" and need to check if the bilge is working. You'll see the light coming on/off with the pump.

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Whaler warrior I looked at your link from amazon and right next to the one you bought is the one that is in the boat the Rule 25D Marine Rule 500 Marine Bilge Pump (500-GPH, 12-Volt) Is this a manual pump ?

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Remember John has a 2004 model Nantucket, now called the 190 Outrage. It came from the factory rigged with a bilge pump.

In looking at the owner's manual on whaler.com, I see a bilge pump with a 2 position switch. Auto and on. The auto setting is when the lower part rocker switch is pushed down. The ON setting is the upper part of the switch is pushed.

There is a good chance the manual linked (2005) does not apply to the 2004 model year hull.

I think WC member Henry (a.k.a. The Yiddil) has a 2004 model.

If you don't have an owner's manual, contact Whaler customer service and have them send you one.

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John, the one you're looking at rule 500-25 d does have an automatic pump available-however it is quite a bit more money--here's the link-http://www.amazon.com/RULE-AUTOMATIC-...mp;sr=1-16-the switch i mentioned is here--http://www.amazon.com/Rule-25D-Marine-500-GP...amp;sr=8-1 & the price is better than what i paid. hope this helps-Rich

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phil, I read the manual you sent , and i definately have it on the auto setting, the bilge is meant to be directly wired to the battery, I am thinking maybe the guy I bought it from made it only manual and has it rigged that way. I might have to look at how its wired, I had remembered reading in the manual that it was meant to have an automatic bilge.

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I wonder if this is a blessing having it not kick on automatically and drain the battery???????:)

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John, If you get a pump that has a float in it, it only comes on when water level moves float to on position-shuts off as soon as float goes back to normal-similar to how a house sump pump works. However, if you get one that works electronically by sensing water level-they seem to have a high failure rate, either they don't shut off properly, or they run the battery down--found this out from reading reviews for about a week on the different brands/kinds of sump. Hence the attwater seemed to be the optimal choice--your choice is what you think is best for you & your whaler... RichB)

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What I dont understand is how so much water gets into the bilge area, doesnt the rain water drain out of the self bailing cockpit?

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That depends on the model and how that model is rigged on how much water may or may not be in the sump area.

Example:
My Outrage 22' Cuddy had absolutely no water in either of the 2 sump areas.
This boat had a single 175 hp motor on it.
However, the identical boat with lets say twin motors, may have some water in the sump area.

Bottom line, it depends on how the boat is rigged and how much equipment is onboard and where it might be located.

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When it rains it gets this water build up in the sump area, no rain no water?

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If you have the plug in the sump drain, then of course there will be a build up.

On my 22', I was referring to NO plugs in the sump drains.
I had no water in the sump so I never had to put plugs in. Rain water would automatically run out the drain.

I did however need a bilge pump in my forward locker. When it rained, the bilge pump would turn on and empty the forward locker(s).

I do not have a bilge pump in my forward locker on my Outrage 18' so if it rains, the water just stays there but I do have a Rule-Mate pump in the sump area of the 18' as I leave the plug in on this model.

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I had the 2003 Nantucket . Isn't it self bailing?

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plug is in, boat is in a protected river in a slip, 190 nantucket rigged just the way the boat comes from factory. I was also thinking of leaving the plug out in the sump area, good/bad idea??? Thanks for the advise, this is my first whaler so I am kind of a boat reject..... The boat is unsinkable so It probably doesnt matter either way...

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John,

I would remove the sump drain plug and see if any, or how much, water stays in the boat. If it doesn't get much water, then you are OK to leave the plug out. If there is too much water, then I would leave the plug in.

As I mentioned with my 22', there was absolutely no water.
However, my 18' does get some water so I choose to leave the plug in and use an automatic pump in the sump area.

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will water actually drain out of the sump area with the plug out even though its below the water line?

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John,

The only way to know for sure is pull the plug.

If water comes in, then NO, the water will not go out when the boat is at rest.

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John -

In addition to Joe's advice, I think it wise that you attempt to trace the wires from the bilge to the battery. I would also look at the back of the bilge switch on the console.

As you know and the owners manual states, be warned that if the bilge is directly wired to the battery, it can run the battery down to the point where starting the engine is not possible.

If you have a Mercury Optimax motor, I have read they demand a well charged battery to start.

Once you sort this question out, and determine the water level with the plug out, you may want to consider adding a second battery for the bilge. At this time, I recommend you do the investigations suggested above before you consider a second battery.