We often rewire Auto Off On bilge switches so off and Auto are the same, eliminating the off function. Also concur that Auto should be one of the very few (if not the only) thing wired direct to the battery.?
I like a separate power supply that goes on and off with the battery switch for the manual on.?
That way when bilge pump runs the battery down and the higher amperage draw caused by low voltage blows the fuse, and you come down and discover the problem, start engine or shore power, the manuel side still has a good fuse now that you have restored the voltage. So you can pump the bilge asap.?
It seems long winded, but is quite common and provides a redundant path to get power to the pump.
You could make an argument to have manual and Auto connected to different banks, but this would require blocking diodes to keep from back feeding a discharged bank.
?
Check you tube for "lessons learned from sinking my boat"
Gives some food for thought. Particularly like the thought about a high and dry battery.
We also have a high water alarm powered by a 9 volt, like a smoke detector, so if the 12 volt dies, some one might hear the alarm.
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Carl Damm
DAMSELv
1976 #593
Stuart Fl
