Anybody Know What This Is?

[bobk]

I started to diagnose a problem with the forward bilge pump/shower sump pump on 1981 48 MY and found this mounted under the sole of the forward cabin. The orange cup is a rubber boot over the device.




Here it is with the cup removed looking at the underside



and here is a closeup of the switch inside looking down on it. It looks like a pneumatic switch (Lincon).



I'm not sure where the black tube goes. It is a stiff tube like one designed for light air pressure. The black wavy disc looks like it was rubber, but is now rigid. The unit is mounted with a Robertson screw so possibly original. Any ideas? I can't get into this space to work on it or the pump so have to get Gayle to attempt anything.

Bobk

 

[saltshaker]

Looks like a "fart sniffer." I believe that is the switch to trigger the full light for your holding tank.

 

[Fanfare]

That is a sensor for the bilge alarm on the Hatteras safety center. A hose connects to a bell-shaped collector under the deck in the bilge. As bilge water rises it compresses the air in the bell and tube, this causes a rubber diaphragm under the red cap to go up, closing a contact and ringing the alarm. This keeps the contacts away from the damp bilge. Each "watertight" compartment should have one as originally equipped. They are pretty reliable.

 

[fissioneng]

They are prone to failure if the diaphragm punctures or becomes distorted. The switch can also hang up. I was able to rebuild one of mine, the other was toast. The working one is for my holding tank light.

It is called a Jabsco (used to be PAR) Hydro Air which has been superseded with a slightly different design. The great thing about these is it keeps wires out of the bilge water which can be a source of stray current corrosion of your zincs.

http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|51|2234242&id=675377

 

[bobk]

That is a sensor for the bilge alarm on the Hatteras safety center. A hose connects to a bell-shaped collector under the deck in the bilge. As bilge water rises it compresses the air in the bell and tube, this causes a rubber diaphragm under the red cap to go up, closing a contact and ringing the alarm. This keeps the contacts away from the damp bilge. Each "watertight" compartment should have one as originally equipped. They are pretty reliable.

Sounds reasonable. It is 33 years old, but has rusted and the diaphram is too stiff to work and it so remotely mounted that it would be a bear to test. I'm sure it does not work now. I'll go back and see if Gayle can find where the tube goes as well as test the alarm part which does activate if the main bilge sensor trips.

Thanks,
Bobk

 

[jim rosenthal]

Sam's might have these, or know of a source for a new one, if the rest of the system still works.

 

[rmatt]

To verify if the unit works. Disconnect the rubber tube. Put a longer rubber tube in place and blow into it. Doesn't take much air pressure to activate the holding tank light or whatever else it may be connected to.

 

[bobk]

Looks like a "fart sniffer." I believe that is the switch to trigger the full light for your holding tank.

Jack wins the prize. We traced the hose back to the aft bulkhead and it attached to the copper tube that went into the holding tank. Strange that it was not placed in the tank compartment. Anyway, this is a non-issue as the system was disconnected and replaced with a Hart Tank Tender.

Many thanks

Bobk

 

[Tim Powell]

To verify if the unit works. Disconnect the rubber tube. Put a longer rubber tube in place and blow into it. Doesn't take much air pressure to activate the holding tank light or whatever else it may be connected to.

the winner gets to test it.

 

[saltshaker]

the winner gets to test it.

Blow don't suck!

 

[Jim saco]

I replaced my hockey puck with one of these jabsco switches. Works great. It's all plastic and should hold up well.

http://www.go2marine.com/product/112053F/jabsco-hydro-air-bilge-pump-switch-59400-series.html

 

[Sam Ekstein]

I started to diagnose a problem with the forward bilge pump/shower sump pump on 1981 48 MY and found this mounted under the sole of the forward cabin. The orange cup is a rubber boot over the device.

View attachment 14482


Here it is with the cup removed looking at the underside

View attachment 14483

and here is a closeup of the switch inside looking down on it. It looks like a pneumatic switch (Lincon).

View attachment 14484

I'm not sure where the black tube goes. It is a stiff tube like one designed for light air pressure. The black wavy disc looks like it was rubber, but is now rigid. The unit is mounted with a Robertson screw so possibly original. Any ideas? I can't get into this space to work on it or the pump so have to get Gayle to attempt anything.

Bobk

Sorry I have no idea
Sam Ekstein