Rule Float Switch

[tsawyer]

Anyone have trouble lately with the mercury free Rule float switches?

A couple months ago, I found water in the area under my cabin. It was right up to the floor and was about ready to come into the cabin. The float switch was dead and I replaced it with another Rule switch.

Today I was at my boat and just happen to check that area again. It was full of water (not as bad as the last time) and the switch wasn't working. I assumed it was a electrical connector problem ( problem with my electrical work from last time) and corrosion in my connections. I cut the connections and just twisted the bare wires to check and it was still dead. My cut out connections didn't look bad either.

I had purchased a spare the last time and installed the new one and it's all working properly (except for my obviously failed high water alarm). I went on West Marine's site and there are a bunch of bad reviews on these switches. The reviews mirror my experience and seem to indicate a quality problem.

The switch has a two year warranty, so I'll get them to send me a new one. I've never had problems with Rule products. I will be more diligent in checking the boat. I'll also get back to that high water alarm.

Any suggestions for perhaps a different brand switch?

[prowlersfish]

Is the switch rated for the load of the pump ? rule makes several sizes . Just a thought .
I will look at the reviews

[8lug]

Not sure if anyone has seen these. I think they just came out this year. All new computerized bilge pumps by rule
There pretty neat here is a few links
http://store.waterpumpsupply.com/rupuau12vodc.html



http://store.waterpumpsupply.com/rupocohosuut.html

[tsawyer]

I bought the same one that failed the first time and didn't check that it was the correct one electrically. I'll double check that.

The link to the reviews at West is:

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/st ... &langId=-1

[yorklyn]

8 lug. I have an older version of the automatic rule pump in my center console. If my memory is correct it would cycle for a split second every couple minutes. if it detected resistance from water it would keep pumping. if no resistance it shuts off and cycles again in a couple min. I figured this out after I hard wired it in according to the directions , let it sit on the trailer for a few weeks then tried to start my boat with a dead battery! rewired it to a three way switch, momentary on, off , or auto.
Dont like the idea of it constantly cycling every 2 or 3 minutes, in my experience, things that run all the time wear out quicker.

[prowlersfish]

I had one of the rule automatic pumps ,I too did not like it . I used it to replace the Lovett Because . you can't get them anymore . So I ended up with a Attwood ,so far so good (2 years )

[lawyerdave71]

I've had problems too - with Rule.

[The Dog House]

Dont like the idea of it constantly cycling every 2 or 3 minutes, in my experience, things that run all the time wear out quicker.

When I bought my F26 it had a Rule automatic bilge pump that would turn on every 2 1/2 minutes and then turn off if it did not feel any resistance. It was very difficult to sleep with that pump. Every time I was just falling asleep the pump would turn on and wake me up. The pump was located under the cabin stairs and was pretty loud.

The pump also had a 3 year warranty and at pretty much 3 years exactly it stopped working. Anything that constantly runs is going to wear out faster than something that only runs when it needs to.

To solve the problem I replaced it with an Attwood Sahara bilge pump with built in float switch.



I'm starting my third season with it, so I can't say for sure about it's longevity. It doesn't run very much, so it should (hopefully) last a long time. It is definitely quiet since it rarely turns on, so I have no trouble falling asleep at night. It also fits perfectly in my F26 hollow keel. I'm very happy with it so far.

[8lug]

Wow
I thought they were new
I seen a ship shape tv episode at the end of 2013 about the new auto pumps and they said they would not be available until 2014. claimed latest and greatest
Lol i thought that was pretty cool and wanted one for the hollow keel since it was automatic
I can see a potential for battery issues

[RWS]

Send a thank you note to the Federal Government - U.S. EPA for getting rid of the mercury float switches.

By the way, despite the hype, Mercury occurs naturally in the environment and has been here long before we were.

Try not to eat it.

Wait, hold on, don't worry now. The Government is here to help you avoid eating it.

RWS

[tsawyer]

Wait, hold on, don't worry now. The Government is here to help you avoid eating it.

RWS

I won't rely on them to tell me not to eat it. They have been trying to feed me a big pile of BS for some time now.

[Commissionpoint]

Like many things these days, the old red Rule, just ain't what she used to be.

http://www.lovettmarine.com/pumps/pricing.asp

[lawyerdave71]

My biggest beef is that the float switch clips into the pump with this cheap plastic clip. My pump is 2 years old and this little cheap plastic clip is a royal pain. Seriously, a float switch is not supposed to dislodge and float on top of the water!! What good does that do??

I have looked for a replacement plastic clip at various marinas but never found one. Guess, I have to call the manufacturer.