wingohopkins

I have not been able to get my Challenger 180 over 30 mph (speedometer shows up to 70) however, I am at 7.5 - 8 RPMs when I reach 30.

I probably have 40 hours on the boat now, what gives?  Is this the sign of a BIG problem??

-Amber

Wow, either something clogging the pump inlet or the impeller wear ring is gone already. Check for weeds, plastic bags, ski rope, etc. in the intake grate under the boat. Where do you boat? Fresh or salt?

Hmm, if it is a 2005 Challenger 180 4TEC SC or SCIC, then there should be a row of switches down the right side of the console- 3rd switch down. If it is a 2005 Challenger X, then there is a row of 3 horizontal switches on the right of the console, first switch. Did you happen to get an operators manual with your boat?

I had my boat in the water recently and we had a two day rain storm - loads of rain - 11 inches.  When the rain finally subsided and I could get my boat out of the water, I found about 600 gallons of water in my boat.  My ski caddy was full and my battery was almost underwater.  I immediately grabbed my neighbors bilge pump and hooked it up to my battery and spent about 3 hours pumping water.  My (auto) bilge was under water but not on. 

Once I got my boat on my trailer the (auto) bilge started pumping away.  What the hell?? 

Does this have a timer, is there some type of motion sensor, is it defective, can I override and kick it on?

Anyone?

Thanks!

-Amber

The float switch (could be separate or integrated to the bilge pump) was stuck off, which means it never made contact and started pumping. The fact that it started when you moved the boat from the water indicates a good fuse and a sticking/stuck/dirty switch- but you should have been able to use the manual switch to overide the auto.. The older boats had a switch with 2 contacts that completed the circuit when water covered them. Kinda cheesy way to make a switch. These switches were notorious for getting dirty (oil, sand, etc...) and not making contact when it counted. I would assume that Bombardier went to a more civilized type of float/pump assembly that was more reliable.
Most pumps are manufactured by Rule, and can be somewhat disassembled and cleaned, or maybe your warranty will cover replacement of your pump by your dealer. Personally, I would try the cleaning method first, then the replacing.
On another note, send some of your rain down south, please!