Automating Your Bilge Pump: Comparison and Whale Installation Guide

Different Solutions for Automating a Pump There are three main families of switches for managing bilge water:

• The Float Switch (Mechanical): Economical, but can get stuck with debris (metal filings, hair, grease).

• The Air Detector (Pressure Switch): Uses air pressure in a bell; reliable but requires maintenance of the air tube.

• The Electronic Switch (Field Sensor): Like the Whale model, it detects the presence of water through induction or an electric field. With no moving parts, it is unaffected by vibrations and debris. This is the most modern and durable solution.

Technical Focus: The Whale Automatic Switch While other solutions exist, we recommend the electronic system from Whale Marine. Its design prevents nuisance tripping caused by boat movement. Precise Operation:

• Activation: As soon as the level reaches 51 mm.

• Stop: As soon as the level drops below 13 mm.

• Safety: An integrated delay prevents the pump from cycling on/off repeatedly due to rolling.

1. Installation and Mounting: The Golden Rules To guarantee optimal detection, positioning is crucial:

• Location: The switch must be placed in the lowest part of the bilge (the sump).

• Fixing: Do not fix the sensor directly to the hull. Use a marine epoxy plywood mounting panel at least 10 mm thick, screwed or glued.

• Orientation: Mount the housing vertically (wires pointing up) to protect the cable exits.

2. Electrical Diagram: 3-Way Wiring The ideal setup for a boat is the 3-position system (Auto / Off / Manual) via a control panel.

• Brown/White Striped Wire (+): To be connected to the "Automatic" terminal of your switch panel.

• Brown Wire (-): To be connected to the Positive (+) wire of your bilge pump.

• The Fuse: Essential! Install an inline fuse with an amperage that matches your pump's specifications (the switch supports up to 20A).

3. Precautions and Limitations of Use The Whale switch is a high-precision product designed exclusively for recreational boating:

• Authorized Liquids: Bilge water, fresh water, or grey water only.

• Prohibition: Do not use for flammable liquids (diesel, gasoline) or aggressive chemicals.

• Voltage: Operates from 10.5V to 28.8V DC. Never connect to alternating current (AC).

Mr. Lyvio's Tip: "The biggest mistake during installation is placing the switch lower than the pump's suction level. If you do this, the pump will run dry and overheat. Ensure that the 51 mm threshold corresponds to a time when the pump strainer is already submerged."