Quote Originally Posted by jph3 View Post
No if you turn off the battery, then hit the bilge it will not work. It’s an auto bilge default off position), so the best is to turn off the battery switch, then drop a bucket of water down the hatch and watch it work first hand. I test mine all the time and have a battery voltage meter to ensure I’m not low on power by chance.
You don't have to use a bucket of water to test the power and float switch. The bilge pump has a little knob that you turn to test it. The knob is attached to the float so it's the same as using water to lift it. Using water doesn't hurt though. I like to see water pump out before my first outing as I've had the tube get clogged in the fall such that the pump runs but doesn't actually move water.