Adding alarms. Engine ? Bilge ? Beer Level ?

[bobalong]

93 Chris Craft. Twin 460 CI engines, no alarms, buzzers, bells or whistles.
Considered adding a buzzer to the bilge pump, otherwise if I don't notice the light on the switch illuminated . . . . .I'd never know the pump was on, pumping water.
If oil 'something' leaked, and pressure dropped to critical, either I better be looking at the gauge, (which I frequently do) or hope I notice smell, or RPM drop or anything before the engine destroys itself.
The cooler is usually on the swim deck, even when under way, hopefully somebody notices when the beer level drops to critical so we can go to the reserve storage to re stock .
Other than a bunch of high tech, computerized over the top $$$$ gadgetry, has anybody come up with simple, easy inexpensive additions ?

 

[Stephen]

That's actually surprising that your 1993 would have no alarms at all. I would contact CC and/or search the 'net to see if you can locate a wiring harness. You may find them or at least the wires to reconnect them. Otherwise, I know I have seen kits available that are moderately priced. As for the pumps, I'd replace those passive switches with momentary-on switches. The beer? I've never found a monitoring system available at any cost that works adequately for me!

 

[bobalong]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Stephen

That's actually surprising that your 1993 would have no alarms at all. I would contact CC and/or search the 'net to see if you can locate a wiring harness. You may find them or at least the wires to reconnect them. Otherwise, I know I have seen kits available that are moderately priced. As for the pumps, I'd replace those passive switches with momentary-on switches. The beer? I've never found a monitoring system available at any cost that works adequately for me!

---

---

---

-------------------------------------------

I've had this boat 7-8 years, there were never any alarms, nothing has been disconnected so I'm working from scratch.
The bilge pumps are hot wired to the battery to come on with the auto bilge pump switch (Which they need to be if you want protection 7-24) And also can be activated from the dash switch. The switch illuminates any time the pump comes on, either automatically or manually. So you have to notice it, IF it comes on automatically while under way.

 

[Robyns Nest]

You can add a high water alarm, not sure if I would want a buzzer or alarm every time the bilge pump goes off.

I would want to know if the water in the bilge gets to a certain level and the high water alarms do just that.

High water alarm is simple with a bilge pump float switch wired to a buzzer or bell. Always on, no switch, maybe a breaker to kill it if needed.

 

[bobalong]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Robyns Nest

You can add a high water alarm, not sure if I would want a buzzer or alarm every time the bilge pump goes off.

I would want to know if the water in the bilge gets to a certain level and the high water alarms do just that.

High water alarm is simple with a bilge pump float switch wired to a buzzer or bell. Always on, no switch, maybe a breaker to kill it if needed.

---

---

---

----------------------------------

good idea

 

[Radioactive]

Quick thought related to high water alarm:

Yup, A loud announcer is a good plan. Personally, I would add to the bell circuit a labeled indicator light at the helm.
Since one would assume that you will rarely ( ?never? ) hear that particular alarm, you might not immediately remember what that particular bell warns about. The labeled indicator light would provide this needed information.

 

[Robyns Nest]

I have a rather loud old school fire bell on the bridge, that alarm only means one thing when I hear it.

You also want people in the marina to be able to hear the bell as well, you are not on the boat 24/7.

 

[RWS]

My 1983 Trojan has the factory bilge alarm.

Three separate high water alarms, on in each of the bilges.

All connected to the horn relay, which pulsates off and on after :30.

This was standard equipment on the 1983 Trojan International Series

RWS

 

[bobalong]

Bell alarm seemed good, horn might be even better since it's already there. Then there is that set of stainless horns still new in the box I have sitting in the garage.
Could mount the horns, switch and fused hot wire in the engine room.
Have to decide how to mount the switch. Somewhere I've run across a picture of a bilge switch that was mounted high in the engine room.
A rod with a float on the end extended down to the bilge. As the rod began to float it would slide up and trigger the remote bilge switch. (and horn).

 

[mcarrigan]

I have a 98 Chris Craft 320 and same thing, no alarms at all. The boat was a year old when I purchased it so nothing was removed. It never had alarms straight from the factory. I just pay a lot of attention to the gauges when underway.