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Hi, Just returned from a weekend away in the FC but had a problem with the whale pump which basically doesn't work.

Connected up battery and everything else works on 12v - light and sockets so I know this isn't the problem.

Connected whale pump externally and placed the the pump end in water container. When I press the foot switch - it's completely dead.

Have taken the cover off the dome switch on the floor and with a bit of plastic, have pressed on the metal strip to make the connection on the circuit and nothing happens apart from a very slight spark.

Has anyone else had this problem - could it be the whale pump or the mircro switch?

Many thanks

If you got a spark when closing the switch, it suggests that the circuit is intact.

Try pressing on the metal with your finger instead (it's only 12V). Does it get hot?

My pump failed at the start of the season, and I realised quite quickly it was the pump when I did just this and after a couple of seconds got a slightly scorched finger, the pump was pulling far too much current.

Thanks - will check this when I'm  next able to open up everything up.

Also, I did notice a very slight dim of the 12v light when hitting the switch so wasn't sure if this was normal.

"I did notice a very slight dim of the 12v light when hitting the switch"

Another indication that the pump may be at fault, if it's drawing enough current to dim the light.

Of course, it could be that the battery is dying. Supplying enough to light the lights but not enough for the pump. Do you have a volt-meter? Can you measure the voltage on the battery with and without the switch pressed?

If you have a meter that can measure current, you can put it across the terminals of the switch in current mode. This will make the circuit and show you how much current the pump is drawing.

Sounds like it could be the pump as the battery is brand new and only been used on 1 trip. It has a power level indicator on it and it's showing green which is fully charged.