A water witch float switch is a mechanical device used to control the level of liquids in tanks or reservoirs. It is designed to automatically shut off a pump or activate an alarm when a certain liquid level is reached. The water witch float switch consists of a float that moves up and down with the liquid level and a switch that is activated by the movement of the float. The float is typically made of a buoyant material, such as plastic or foam, and is attached to the switch by a rod or cable. As the liquid level rises, the float rises with it, and when the liquid level falls, the float falls. The switch is usually a simple open or closed contact that is activated by the movement of the float.
The Junior and Senior switches (forget the whole name. a float switch in a clear plastic tube) are great.
Rick It s not the boat you built until you ve sworn at it, bled on it, sweated over it, cried beside it and then threatened to haul the POS outside and burn it. by Ultra Safety Systems, Inc TEF-GEL - Ultra safety systems - Home page 3755 Fiscal Ct, Ste B, Riviera Beach, FL, 33418, USA, Tel 407-845-1086 Fax 407-844-8566 Toll Free 1-800-433-2628 Email rolandorortega yahoo.
The switch is usually a simple open or closed contact that is activated by the movement of the float. When the float is in its highest position, the switch is closed, allowing the pump to operate or the alarm to be silent. When the liquid level rises and the float moves, the switch is opened, shutting off the pump or activating the alarm.
Water witch float switcj
RULE-A-MATIC plus float switch failed again. Made in China. Installed 2016 but less than 3 years of real-time, summertime operation in a relatively dry bilge. Fresh water boat. This float switch is what is keeping you from possibly sinking! Anyone suggest a better brand? These things are not cheap.
I cut it open to see inside and the contacts are steel and the spring is rusty. Looks like a bad factory seal. Guess the days of mercury switches are gone. See picture.
Barrie
RULE-A-MATIC plus float switch failed again. Made in China. Installed 2016 but less than 3 years of real-time, summertime operation in a relatively dry bilge. Fresh water boat. This float switch is what is keeping you from possibly sinking! Anyone suggest a better brand? These things are not cheap.
I cut it open to see inside and the contacts are steel and the spring is rusty. Looks like a bad factory seal. Guess the days of mercury switches are gone. See picture.
Barrie
I've always used a Rule pump with separate float switch. I don't trust the switch and pump combination.
__________________Ray
"Mahalo Moi"
1986 GB-42 Classic
ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑβΕ Guru Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 1,167
Ultra bilge pump switches are considered to be the most reliable in the industry. I bought 3 years ago and that had zero problems. I will no longer will by rule products
Guru Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 1,167An ultra films pump switch will not fail you. They are expensive but well worth the money. My experience with the roll switches has been they fail in the on position and then the bilge pump runs with no water and burns up
Senior Member City: Hobe Sound Vessel Name: Kumatage Vessel Model: Grnd Bnks 46 cl Join Date: Aug 2020 Posts: 213 Quote: Originally Posted by motion30Ultra bilge pump switches are considered to be the most reliable in the industry. I bought 3 years ago and that had zero problems. I will no longer will by rule products
Agreed! Rule products, no bueno'. Guru City: Gulf Islands, BC Canada Vessel Name: Sea Sanctuary Vessel Model: Bayliner 4588 Join Date: Jul 2019 Posts: 4,423 Bilge Guard.electronic bilge pump switch that will not pump oil or fuel, just water.
__________________
SteveK
You only need one working engine. That is why I have two.
Sea Sanctuary-new to me 1992 Bayliner 4588
Gypsy,
I'm just wondering if you ever use products with any Bleach in them in the area where this float switch lives? The reason I ask is that I had similar issues with float switches until I started to completely eliminate bleach and products that contain bleach that come in contact with the float switch. My shower sump(s) have been very reliable since I made the change to "Clean Potties" instead of all the other products.
We have 2 Ultra switches in the main bilge, no problems after 8 years. Just replaced 2 pumps with failed float switches in our lazerette. Used Water Witch switches. Had to adjust the mounting height but working well so far. They have built in delay so they don’t activate due to sloshing and will run for 15 seconds after low level activates to help empty bilge.
Guru City: NARBONNE Vessel Name: 'Snow Mouse.' Vessel Model: BROOM FLYBRIDGE 42. Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 1,717I buy them from Ebay, although they are made in China for bilge and 2 shower compartments.
Average cost for 750 GPM auto pump with simpler wiring down in the bilge area, 18€, about 15� delivered.
Never had one fail since they replaced the Rule pumps,
We have 2 Ultra switches in the main bilge, no problems after 8 years. Just replaced 2 pumps with failed float switches in our lazerette. Used Water Witch switches. Had to adjust the mounting height but working well so far. They have built in delay so they don�t activate due to sloshing and will run for 15 seconds after low level activates to help empty bilge.
Absolutely, Ultra Senior and/or Junior switches. Also, I'm now buying Rule Gold series bilge pumps which have been completely reliable as well.
__________________Larry
M/V Pelago Senior Member City: Toronto Vessel Name: Bermuda Belle Vessel Model: Marine Trader 36 Sedan Join Date: Sep 2021 Posts: 314
Bilge switch failure has me worried too.
Has anyone ever tried wiring switches in parallel in order to have redundant switches if one fails? Wouldn't be hard to do.
Periodic testing to make sure both switches are working would be easy too
Bilge switch failure has me worried too.
Has anyone ever tried wiring switches in parallel in order to have redundant switches if one fails? Wouldn't be hard to do.
Periodic testing to make sure both switches are working would be easy too
Why?
Each bilge pump should have a switch direct bypassing the float automatic switch. Failure is often the float switch, not the direct switch seldom used. If wired parallel the cause of a failure may affect more than one.
__________________
SteveK
You only need one working engine. That is why I have two.
Sea Sanctuary-new to me 1992 Bayliner 4588
[QUOTE=Max1;1078591]Bilge switch failure has me worried too.
Has anyone ever tried wiring switches in parallel in order to have redundant switches if one fails? Wouldn't be hard to do.
Periodic testing to make sure both switches are working would be easy too[/
three of my failures have been the switch in the on position which burns up the bilge pump itself I don't think switches in parallel would have help this situation
Our Mariner 37 has separate float switches on our three bilge pumps. They need routine cleaning, but seem reliable.
__________________Escape Guru City: Jupiter, Florida Vessel Name: Black Eyed Susan Vessel Model: Grand Banks 42' Classic Join Date: Nov 2016 Posts: 1,644
Anyone have experience with "Water Witch" bilge pumps switches? I have two of them someone gave me but I"ve never installed them.
__________________Hal
BLACK EYED SUSAN
Grand Banks 42 Classic Guru City: Sandusky Bay Vessel Name: Escape Vessel Model: Mariner 37 Join Date: Jul 2016 Posts: 1,308
The Water Witch seems to have developed a poor reputation, though I can not understand why nor find any current evidence of problems. I suspect their product was perceived or even sold as requiring no maintenance. If you never clean the contacts and they become coated with bilge scunge, oil or bacterial slime, then you have a maintenance problem, not a defective product.
I have no connection to Water Witch, but I would sure like them to work for my boat when I eventually replace the float switches.
__________________Escape Senior Member City: Ottawa, Canada Vessel Name: GYPSY Vessel Model: Mariner 37 PH aka Helmsman 38 Join Date: May 2018 Posts: 178
Thanks all for your response. To be clear it was the float switch that failed not the pump. No bleach, just water. But these switches are suppose to be sealed.
Can't get the suggested other switches in Canada. Any links appreciated.
Think i will go with old faithful from the cottage. LOL
FWIW. We use 3 water witch switches in our system. We have a deep bilge, so I mounted the primary pump on the bottom of a PVC "L". then attached that pumps output to the 2nd PVC"L", and attached the water witch switch to that "L". I added a 3rd "L", with a backup pump and a dedicated water witch switch, and then a Johnson Hi Water alarm higher up that tree. All 3 "L"s are zip-tied together, along with the wires, and the discharge hoses attach to the top of the respective "L". I pull the system out 1/year to clean, and have had no issues/problems for the past 8 or 9 years. I also added a Bilge Pump counter (by Water Witch!) to the primary(bottom) pump. Makes it easy to monitor how many times the pump runs. I'm a fan of the Water Witch switch. will never buy another float sw again! But you do need to keep them a little clean(an oil coating will not let them work normally, from my experience).
Senior Member City: Maumelle, AR Vessel Name: Missing Link Vessel Model: 1986 Albin 34 Family Cruiser Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 112 I have seen just about every switch made. I use Ultra. Guru City: Jupiter, Florida Vessel Name: Black Eyed Susan Vessel Model: Grand Banks 42' Classic Join Date: Nov 2016 Posts: 1,644 Quote: Originally Posted by BoatcrazyFWIW. We use 3 water witch switches in our system. We have a deep bilge, so I mounted the primary pump on the bottom of a PVC "L". then attached that pumps output to the 2nd PVC"L", and attached the water witch switch to that "L". I added a 3rd "L", with a backup pump and a dedicated water witch switch, and then a Johnson Hi Water alarm higher up that tree. All 3 "L"s are zip-tied together, along with the wires, and the discharge hoses attach to the top of the respective "L". I pull the system out 1/year to clean, and have had no issues/problems for the past 8 or 9 years. I also added a Bilge Pump counter (by Water Witch!) to the primary(bottom) pump. Makes it easy to monitor how many times the pump runs. I'm a fan of the Water Witch switch. will never buy another float sw again! But you do need to keep them a little clean(an oil coating will not let them work normally, from my experience).
Do you happen to have any pics of that setup? I'm struggling with understanding! __________________Hal
BLACK EYED SUSAN
Grand Banks 42 Classic
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Anyone have experience with "Water Witch" bilge pumps switches? I have two of them someone gave me but I"ve never installed them.
Water witch float switches are commonly used in a variety of applications, such as sump pumps, sewage systems, and water storage tanks. They are reliable and cost-effective solutions for monitoring and controlling liquid levels. Overall, water witch float switches are vital components in various industries and processes where the accurate control of liquid levels is essential. They play a critical role in preventing overflow or damage to equipment, ensuring the efficient and safe operation of systems..
Reviews for "How to Extend the Lifespan of Your Water Witch Float Switch"
1. John - 2 stars - I recently purchased the Water Witch Float Switch and I have to say I was incredibly disappointed with its performance. Despite claims of being a reliable device, it constantly failed to accurately detect water levels, resulting in frequent false alarms. This made it incredibly unreliable and frustrating to use. Additionally, the installation process was quite complicated and the instructions provided were unclear. Overall, I would not recommend the Water Witch Float Switch based on my experience.
2. Sarah - 1 star - I had high hopes for the Water Witch Float Switch, but unfortunately, it did not meet my expectations. The switch failed to work consistently, often failing to activate when water levels were high. This made it completely useless for its intended purpose of water level detection. Furthermore, the build quality was subpar, with the switch feeling flimsy and easily breakable. It was a waste of money and I would not recommend it to others.
3. Alex - 2 stars - The Water Witch Float Switch had a lot of potential, but it ultimately fell short. I found that it was not compatible with my existing water pump system, despite claims of versatility. Additionally, the float switch had a tendency to get stuck, resulting in inaccurate readings. The overall design also left much to be desired, with the wiring being messy and difficult to manage. Overall, I was disappointed with the Water Witch Float Switch and would not purchase it again.
4. Jessica - 3 stars - While the Water Witch Float Switch did the job in terms of detecting water levels, I found it to be quite noisy. The switch would make a loud clicking sound whenever it activated or deactivated, which became quite irritating over time. In addition, the switch had a tendency to get stuck, requiring frequent manual intervention to ensure proper functionality. While it did its job, the noise and occasional issues made it less than ideal for my needs.