Bilge pump with integral float switch
Version 03/11
Item No. 55 12 55
°
Item No. 55 12 56
Use in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions
The bilge pump serves to pump out water from the bilge of smaller boats or yachts. A built-in float
switch activates the bilge pump automatically after a certain water level has been reached; how-
ever, a manual start of the bilge pump is equally possible.
This product complies with the applicable National and European regulations. All names of com-
panies and products are the trademarks of the respective owner. All rights reserved.
Package Content
• Bilge pump
• Set of screws
• Operating Instructions
Safety Instructions
The warranty will be void in the event of damage caused by failure to observe
these safety instructions! We do not assume liability for any consequential
damage!
Nor do we assume any liability for material and personal damage caused by
improper use or non-compliance with the safety instructions! In such cases
the warranty will be null and void.
• The unauthorised conversion and/or modification of the product is inadmissible
due to safety and approval reasons (CE). Never open/dismantle it (apart from the
works for installation and cleaning described in the manual).
• The bilge pump is only suitable for pumping freshwater (max. 35°C). No other liquids,
e.g. salt water, petrol, etc., may be pumped.
• The product is not a toy and should be kept out of the reach of children.
• Do not leave packing materials unattended. They may become dangerous play-
things for children.
• Handle the product with care, it can be damaged by impacts, blows, or accidental
drops, even from a low height.
Installation and Connection
• For the installation, the lower base part of the
bilge pump must be removed. Press the locking-
surfaces to the left and the right (1) and detach
the pump from the base part (2).
• The small opening (A) on the top of the pump
casing serves as an air hole; never block or
close it.
• Install the base part of the pump in such a way
that it is positioned in the deepest part of the
boat where water may accumulate.
A built-in float switch activates the bilge pump
automatically, however, a manual start of the
bilge pump is equally possible.
Note!
Never drive the fastening screws through the boat hull! Depending on the hull, a suit-
able mounting bracket may be required in the boat; the bilge pump must not be
installed directly on the hull!
Do not install the bilge pump directly next to hot engine parts, electronic devices,
rechargeable batteries or cables.
• Reattach the bilge pump to the base part so it locks into place.
• Lay a suitable hose from the bilge pump outward to pump the water off the boat. The outlet
opening has to be sufficiently high above the water line of the boat to avoid water entering the
boat
Lay the hose as straight as possible, protect the hose with appropriate measures from kinks,
sharp edges, hot engine parts or rotating drivecomponents.
• Secure the hose with a hose clamp on the connection piece of the bilge pump.
• Lay a three wire cable with a sufficient cross-section to the bilge pump and connect it with the
connection cable of the bilge pump.
O P E R A T I N G I N S T R U C T I O N S
www.conrad.com
Protect the connectors from corrosion, use a suitable waterproof junction box.
Do not swap the polarity! This would damage the bilge pump; loss of warranty/guar-
antee!
Place an adequate fuse in front of the positive cable.
By using a three-way switch you may conveniently chose the 3 modes of operation:
• Automatic activation: The bilge pump is automatically activated by the float switch if the water
level rises in the bilge.
• Manual activation: You activate the bilge pump yourself, e.g. to avoid disruptive pumping nois-
es during the night.
• Off: The bilge pump is disconnected from the power supply (e.g. for cleaning works).
Operation
• The bilge pump is automatically activated in the event of rising water in the bilge. A floater
equipped with a magnet thereby activates the built-in switch in the bilge pump.
When the water level in the bilge declines, the bilge pump deactivates automatically.
• The bilge pump may also be activated manually (plus/+ on the yellow cable).
Avoid dry operation of the bilge pump, this may lead to overheating and damaging!
The warranty will be void!
Maintenance and Cleaning
The product requires no servicing on your part apart from occasional cleaning.
Regularly check the functioning of the bilge pump. Bigger dirt particles or algae may not only
block the drive but also clog the hose.
Before cleaning the product must be disconnected from the power supply.
Subsequently detach the bilge pump from the base part by pressing the locking surfaces to the
left and right (do not use force!).
Clean the parts of the pump and the float switch with clear, cold or lukewarm water.
Do not use aggressive chemical detergents as this leads to discolouration of the casing or even
to damage of the product.
Disposal
Please dispose of the product, when it is no longer of use, according to the current
statutory requirements.
Technical Data
Item no. 551255
Item no. 551256
Operating voltage
12 V/DC
12 V/DC
Power input
1.6 A
9 A
Recommended fuse
2.5 A
12 A
Required connection cable
2.5 mm
2
4.0 mm
2
Hose connection
18 mm (3/4”)
25 mm (1”)
Pump height
max. 2.5m
max. 4 m
Output
1890 l/h (500 GPH)
5676 l/h (1500 GPH)
Service life
max. 20 min
max. 20 min
Dimensions
136 x 82 x 110 mm
193 x 108 x 150 mm
These operating instructions are a publication by Conrad Electronic SE, Klaus-Conrad-Str. 1, D-92240
Hirschau (www.conrad.com).
All rights including translation reserved. Reproduction by any method, e.g. photocopy, microfilming, or
the capture in electronic data processing systems require the prior written approval by the editor.
Reprinting, also in part, is prohibited.
These operating instructions represent the technical status at the time of printing. Changes in
technology and equipment reserved.
© Copyright 2011 by Conrad Electronic SE.
Black cable: Minus/-/GND/mass
Brown cable: Plus/+ for automatic activation (“+”)
Yellow cable: Manual activation (“MAN +”)
Off
3-way switch
Fuse
Power supply (12 V/DC), rechargeable battery
