Posted for Dale Rogers <rogersda@cox.net>:

Jim,

   While addition of any component adds complexity and additional opportunities for failure, we also have to look at the failure modes.  If the additional wiring is done well, shorts and opens of the actual wire should be nil.
That leaves the switch - two failure modes, stuck open and stuck shorted.  If it's stuck open, the controller has the same lag that's being experienced now.  If it's stuck closed, the pump will run all the time until you land and disconnect it.  I wouldn't think that either event is a flight stopper.

Dale R.