Ralph, Are you expecting me to complain about soldering?
Ralph's technique is fine but requires prior experience with soldering, and it would be best if you were not a self taught but had some training. Of course between the lines Ralph said he first used a western union splice, then sealed it against oxygen with rosin core solder to prevent oxidation, and sealed out moisture with low temp adhesive lined shrink tubing to prevent corrosion. Even though I was once anointed by the military to solder on electronics for manned space flight my bilge connections are not soldered. Instead the wires were stripped with a nick free stripper, inserted into a low temp adhesive lined Anchor Brand butt splice sized for the wire, then crimped to a form a gas tight seal using the correct ratchet style crimper, and sealed it against moisture with the heat shirk feature included on the terminal. Either technique done properly will work however the crimp terminal is considered more reliable. Phil Agur s/v Wing Tip Secretary, Call Sign WCW3485 IC27/270A MMSI 366901790 www.catalina27.org Vessel Doc# 1039809 ----- Original Message ----- From: Ralph E. Ahseln To: [email protected] Sent: Monday, June 09, 2008 8:48 AM Subject: Re: catalina27-talk: re: bad bilge pump Bob, FWIW, I'd replace the current float switch, out of hand. I'd replace any ...Older float switch even if it was working, just on general principles. Consider replacement with a modern Electronic Sensor Switch. Such as the West Marine. See: http://tinyurl.com/3mk5hh It's easy to install on our C27's, Easy to test (by touching), relatively small and..relatively inexpensive. It has a Start delay and a "Run After" delay (water depth), to help with the problem of the hose Back Flow. As to wiring. I'm sure I'll piss off some, But.. I would SOLDER (yes, I said it, ...solder) ... the entire length of the Splice (s).. THEN .. use Adhesive Shrink Tubing ... Over the splice(s) With a generous Over length, at least an half inch on each end, making sure the Goop is "squirting" out of the ends. UW Ralph Ahseln "Oblio" Gresham OR ----- Original Message ----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [email protected] Sent: Monday, June 09, 2008 8:02 AM Subject: catalina27-talk: re: bad bilge pump I couldn't find any in-line fuse for the bilge pump so it is presumably using the control panel fuse only. I cut the wires between the pump and the float switch and temporarily wired the pump only. When I turned on the panel switch, the pump started running. So, apparently there is a short or problem with the float. I will check that out tonight/tomorrow between major thunderstorms. What can go wrong with a float switch? I can think of two things right off the bat: 1) connections are bad/corroded, etc. or 2) contact isn't being made when the float lifts. Other ideas, and, should I just outright replace the float switch? What is the best way to make wire connections in the bilge area - heat-shrink wrap? Bob Mann
