See full version: Bilge Pump Switches
Equip your bilge pump with a switch for the automatic operation of your pump. A switch will automatically activate the bilge pump when the water level rises in the bilge and deactivate the pump as the water level is lowered. Switches available are the top-of-the-line digital Ultima Switch, an Electro-Magnetic Float Switch and a traditional Float Switch; all Mercury-free.
The solid-state electronic automatic switch Ultima Switch uses the patented Mirus field effect detector cells producing micro-electrical fields that detect disruptions caused by water and fluids. Detector cells are totally sealed and are never in contact with the water, will not corrode and are not affected by oil or foreign debris.
Ultima Switch Electronic Automatic Switch EN, DE, ES, FR, IT, SV
The Johnson Pump Automatic Bilge Pump Float Switch is constructed of ultrasonically sealed thermo-plastic housing. An anti-spike feature prevents rapid on-off cycling and turns on with an audible click before water can reach unacceptable levels. This bilge pump float switch turns on when the rolling steel ball changes the pressure on the micro-switch.
This automatic bilge pump float switch is a direct replacement to older Mayfair float switch models.
The Johnson Ultima Switch uses the patented Mirus field effect detector cells, producing micro-electrical fields that detect disruptions caused by water and fluids. The detector cells are totally sealed and are never in contact with the water, will not corrode, and are not affected by oil for foreign debris. Johnson Ultima Switch activates at a 2" fluid level and deactivates at a 3/4" fluid level. An eight second delay prevents false starts.
The Ultima Switch is rated to handle bilge pumps up to 20A, at 12V or 24V.
Aqualarm’s SS-209-12 and PS-309-12 vertical float switches mirror the USS’s Ultra line but they are manufactured with lower-cost materials. Aqualarm uses a vertical shaft made of plastic and its tank is made of thin wall plastic. During the pump test, we inadvertently popped off the bottom screen guard of the switch. Needless to say, the thin plastic guard was invisible in our small compartment of dirty bilge water. here
The Rule Super Switch Model 37WG is a mercury switch with a highly recognizable name. The lower mounting flange tab is located directly under the float arm, which makes the installation a bear, and the wires’ insulation jackets don’t seat well in the switch, leaving the wire core exposed. We think that $47 is too expensive for passé design. more
Electronic Pump Switch
All the switches we tested of this type used capacitance detection technology or Mirus field effect technology. One of the key motivations behind developing these sensors was to prevent the pumping of oil or fuel into the environment. here
During our 1996 bilge switch comparison, an earlier version of the Switch Witch delivered lackluster performance, but the manufacturer says it has undergone several design improvements since then. One complaint that came up in 1996 was that soap residue could fool the switch into thinking there is water in the bilge. We can report that we thoroughly washed our test tank with a heavy dose of bilge cleaner at the end of our test, and the Water Witch 230 operated flawlessly.
Shopping for the ideal pump switch presents its own sticky challenge. At least 30 different bilge pump switches flood the marine market today.