Shower pump running continuously. Need some tips

[Oxblood]

Hello all,

I have an 81 TriCabin. On my DC breaker panel are two switches for Shower P. Up is for auto. Am I correct in assuming these are pumps for the shower's sump? I noticed late yuesterday that all of a sudden one of the pumps was running continuously. It was not doing so before. I know that a pump, or pumps were functioning properly prior to this, as you could hear them kick in and pump out the sump through the through-hull on the port side.

I have inspected the aft bilge, and it is dry (a very small amount of moisture in the hollow false keel, negligible trickle).

When I turn off the left, or first switch, the pump stops running.

Am I correct in assuming these are sump pumps? Also, where do I access them? I see no way to get to them via the aft bilge, as the fuel tank is IN the pedestal bed, and for the life of me I cannot find a removable hatch in the main stateroom's head.

I would appreciate any advice that anyone can pass along.

Cheers,

Kai

[aaronbocknek]

kai. the aft shower sump is right infront of the aft berth. there should be an access hatch right there. mine did the same thing until i cleaned the float. DO NOT IGNORE this location. it can get really nasty. after brad and i use the boat and head out, i always drain that sump so nothing sits in it. i use a small fluid extractor, a turkey baster works great too. just decant the water into a bucket and dump over. it's not the greatest set up, and trojan went cheap on that one, but, for now, it works. there are also 3 bilge pumps. aft, center in engine room, and forward just infront of the fwd head below the cabin sole. i'm in boston now on a trip, but i can always answer a question.
aaron

[Oxblood]

Aaron,

Thanks for the reply. I suspected it may be the float stuck. Thanks for confirming that.

The access hatch. You note it is in front of the aft birth. I lifted the carpet as far as the aft head's door way, but did not notice anything that could be easily lifted. Do I need to liuft the carpet even further back? is the hatch screwed in place, or is it easily lifted out?

Cheers,

Kai

[P-Dogg]

The forward shower sump in my '85 does not have a float. There is a wall switch that operates the pump. Could that be on, and why a pump is running continuously? You didn't say which one was running.

[adrewoh]

My shower pump is just aft of the v birth door; the floor access panel has at least 4 screws, maybe more which made me think it wouldn't be under there. It would be nice if it was easier to get to--I get in there at least twice a month to clean out the pre-filter. It gets clogged quickly.
I have an on off switch in the backslash in the head--nothing automatic--no float

[k9th]

My '79 Tri-cabin has the pump located as Aaron indicated under the floor right outside the access door to the head but it has no float switch. It is operated by a rocker switch on the port side wall panel in the aft head where the shower is.

[P-Dogg]

Well????