SeaSenseBILGE FLOAT SWITCH

UPDATE: June 18, 2016As indicated below I replaced my old mercury-type SeaSense float switch in April 2016 with the new politically and environmentally correct mercury-free float switch in April of this year (three months ago). I use the pump and switch to keep my trailered 12-foot boat free of rainwater when I'm not using it for fishing. The original switch lasted a bit over a year. The new switch worked well for a little less than three months and actually kept the boat water-free during a tropical storm in which we got over eight inches of rain. That apparently wore it out. After returning from a long weekend road trip, I found the boat full of water and battery completely run down. Using a fresh battery, I could not make the pump work and assumed that the pump had gone bad since the switch is relatively new. I got out a spare pump and replaced the old one. When I lifted the switch, the pump turned on as it should. Problem fixed, I thought. I decided to test the old pump with a direct battery connection. It fired up immediately. Then I installed the new pump in the boat and, sadly, nothing happened. After jiggling the float switch in several different directions, the pump turned on an ran long enough to drop the water level in the boat an inch. Then it turned off. I then by-passed the switch and fined pumping out the boat. Once empty, I cut the switch back in and it appears that it may function momentarily if we get another big rain. In the meantime, I'm looking for an a reliable float switch.I have now invested a little over $30 in SeaSense float switches and I think I almost got my money's worth out of the original mercury-type switch. But the new switch has problems and I can't recommend it, even if someone gives it to you free...especially if you have a boat in a critical situation such as the possibility of sinking if the bilge pump doesn't work.Once again the environmental wackos have won another victory over the common man.I've had this pump switch for a little over a year And it's worked fine until recently. At this point it runs continuously in the"off" position but turns off at about the level it should normally turn off. If the water level rises to about two inches, it turns on as it should but unfortunately, it turns off as soon as it drops below two inches. So far that means my boat won't fill up with rain water but I must manually maneuver the float to get the water level down to the advertised 3/4-inch level before using a wet/dry vac to empty it completely.The question now is whether I should replace it with the "new" politically correct Sea Sense mercury-free float switch or another substantially more expensive brand. I have no idea if any of these reviews apply to the "new" Sea Sense pump or the old one. I assume that they must apply to the old one because the latest review I can find seems to be dated July of 2016. Therefore, I think the replacement will be the new politically correct pump since the current one has lasted longer than most of the other inexpensive brands.I'll post a review after it's been in service awhile.

To All Concerned!If you are in need of a bilge pump float switch let me tell you this item saves me alot of work. I collect maple sap. I used a storage bin with a bilge pump and bilge pump float switch to tranfer the sap from a work station off my truck's rear receiver. The sap is dumped into the storage bin and pumped into a tote in the body of the truck. The bilge pump switch preserves my pump from running needlessly. Thanks for a great product.

price was right. it is easy to install and proved reliable since I installed a few months ago.

Item as described.

One would think a single purpose device would excel at it's job.NOT SO for this float switch.Installed correctly the switch will not turn on even under 2 feet of water. Not enough buoyancy.I had to tape a ping pong ball to the float for it to finally turn on.DO NOT BUY

it lasted only 3 weeks and it fell apart, very disappointed with this product. Please do not buy this.

Very good product I recommend it shipped on time thanks

Good deal.

PIECE of junk didn`t work right, would`t always shut off, unless you hit it!

Not really for smaller boats. Between the mounting bracket and the engagement height, you have almost 2" of water before the pump starts

Easy to install and has worked all summer.

Works as it should!! Been installed in the boat now for a couple years and still no issues!

I am very pleased. The switch is reasonably priced and works well. Why pay double or triple the price for a similar one in a store?