Bilge/Live Bait Pump Fuse?

[gazza2006au]

i have set up alive bait tank using a Johnson 500 (i think) size pump it says it uses 2.1amps but a 5amp fuse is required thats a far margin.. its more than double the running current

how do the fuses work? i installed a 3way switch but after wiring it up i chose to use one side as "on" and left the other side disconnected so i can leave the switch on this setting while turned off, the switch is ON/OFF/ON but when i place the switch in the off position i only need to move the switch ever so slightly and the pump turns on without clicking into the "ON" position

so im having a heart attack about running my pump dry and burning it out say if my pump does turn on and run dry by accident will the 5amp fuse burn out before i ruin the pump?

[scottar]

Re: Bilge/Live Bait Pump Fuse?

[QUOTE=gazza2006au;1607349

so im having a heart attack about running my pump dry and burning it out say if my pump does turn on and run dry by accident will the 5amp fuse burn out before i ruin the pump?[/QUOTE]

No. Fuses typically blow because there is either a short in the wiring or because a device has failed and is drawing too much current. Fuses are primarily there to safeguard wiring from catching fire or to minimize further damage from equipment failure. That said, with a device like a pump whose current draw is directly related to how hard it is for the motor to spin, a fuse will save it (provided said fuse isn't too large) in the event that the excess current draw is due to something like an obstruction stopping the impeller turning.

[gazza2006au]

Re: Bilge/Live Bait Pump Fuse?

after a 10-12 hour day on the water i might have one of those brain fart moments when i pull the boat out and leave the LBT pump running as i do the fish finder lol

i was hopping the fuse would save the pump burning out but looks like it may still over heat the pump running dry, i will have to look at alternatives i know the Rule pumps can be ran dry for 2 hours i may have to install one of those

i accidentally turned the pump on today while wiring it up and thought what is that noise than realized it was the pump hopefully i havent stuffed it yet

[Feral]

Re: Bilge/Live Bait Pump Fuse?

Sounds like you need another switch for peace of mind..

[swof63]

Re: Bilge/Live Bait Pump Fuse?

Doesn't it also go through your battery master switch? Or maybe install a power switch for your bait tank with a more positive feel like a toggle rather than a rocker. Or even a key switch to be safe. Or one like those bomb release switches in the movies with the red cover you have to open to turn on. You could wire up a reversing buzzer across the pump motor so you'd always know the pump was on. Or a vacuum switch you have to press every 10minutes. There will be a salve for your angst.

Cheers

[gazza2006au]

Re: Bilge/Live Bait Pump Fuse?

me and a mate went out yesterday and when i arrived home i packed the boat away and realized the bilge pump had accidentally been running the whole trip home lucky its a Rule bilge pump they can run up to2 hours dry our trip was about 1h 10mins home untill i noticed it was turned on

the live bait tank pump was absolutely crap it wouldn't even pump water the water only reached halfway up the transom hose so i think im going to have to change the pump