Whale Water Systems Float Switches
Whale Water Systems Float Switches: Reliable, Intelligent Bilge Protection
When water begins to accumulate in a boat's bilge, every second counts. Whale Water Systems has built a hard-earned reputation as one of the marine industry's most trusted names in bilge management, and their float switches are a key reason why. Backed by over 70 years of expertise in bilge systems, Whale approaches float switch design with the same engineering discipline that has made their pumps standard equipment on vessels around the world.
Electric Field Sensor Technology: A Step Beyond Traditional Floats
What sets Whale apart in the float switch category is their commitment to solid-state, electric field sensor technology. Rather than relying on a mechanical float arm that can jam, stick, or corrode over time, Whale's automatic bilge switches detect water using an electric field sensor, and the unique design is water tight and uses no moving parts — making it robust and long lasting. This is a significant engineering advantage in the marine environment, where salt, debris, oil, and constant vibration are the enemy of mechanical components.
Totally sealed with no moving parts, the Whale Field Sensor Automatic Pump Float Switch features a nylon body that will not corrode and is not affected by oil or foreign debris or obstructions. For boaters who have dealt with a stuck float switch and a flooded bilge, that kind of corrosion and clog resistance is not a minor detail — it's peace of mind.
Versatile Installation and Mercury-Free Design
Whale's float switches are engineered with the practical installer in mind. These compact switches work with all electric bilge pumps and are easy to install either vertically or horizontally, contain no toxic mercury, and can also be used as a high water alarm when mounted vertically. The dual-orientation mounting capability means these switches adapt to the tight, awkward confines of real-world bilge compartments rather than demanding a perfect installation environment.
Whale float switches are suitable for 12 and 24 volt bilge pumps , covering the vast majority of recreational and semi-professional marine electrical systems. For more demanding installations, Whale also offers variants like the BE9006 Electric Field Bilge Switch with Time Delay, which can be mounted on either a horizontal or vertical surface such as a bulkhead or hull, and is suitable for installations where amp draw is up to 15 amps.
Part of a Complete Bilge System
Whale designs its switches, diverter valves, and pipework connections to the highest quality specification so they can be combined with Whale bilge pumps for reliability and durability throughout the entire bilge waste system. Choosing a Whale float switch means choosing a component that is engineered to work in harmony with the rest of your onboard water management setup — not just an afterthought bolted onto a third-party pump.
Whale's strong legacy in marine water systems explains why the Whale name features on the world's most desirable vessels. Whether you are outfitting a small day sailor or a serious offshore cruiser, a Whale float switch delivers the kind of set-and-forget reliability that lets you focus on the water, not your bilge.