Livewell Aerator Question

[eelaforge]

My livewell has an aerator timer in the panel of the bow of my bass boat. It works, but what is the dial next to it that also has min and max on the faceplate that is also marked aerator? It seems to be a small rheostat(?) with 3 wires: Red, Black and Yellow although none of them are connected, just capped off. Anyone have some info to share? What it is, where I can get a replacement, and what terminal these wires connect to? Thanks.

 

[fishmen111]

Re: Livewell Aerator Question

Without seeing it, I will guess that you have a variable flow areator and that is the adjustment for the water/air flow.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Livewell Aerator Question

The dial adjusts the on-off interval. The red wire goes to +12V. The yellow goes to the aerator motor. Black is ground. Adjustable aerator timers allow you to set the amount of the time the aerator is OFF and the ON time is usually fixed. So the timer will turn on the aerator for its fixed period (about 30 seconds or so normally). It then shuts off for whatever period the timer is set for (typically 1 to 4 minutes).

 

[eelaforge]

Re: Livewell Aerator Question

The dial adjusts the on-off interval. The red wire goes to +12V. The yellow goes to the aerator motor. Black is ground. Adjustable aerator timers allow you to set the amount of the time the aerator is OFF and the ON time is usually fixed. So the timer will turn on the aerator for its fixed period (about 30 seconds or so normally). It then shuts off for whatever period the timer is set for (typically 1 to 4 minutes).

What is the part called, where can I get one, and how will I know which wire goes to which terminal? Apparently, the wires must be soldered to the terminals. Thanks.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Livewell Aerator Question

Now you have me confused. I thought you said the aerator works and you just wondering with the adjustment was. Please be a little more clear about what you have and what doesn't work. If the aerator works, what turns it on and off? If its just a simple On/Off switch, then the original livewell timer (apparently it was a two-piece affair) broke and was replaced with a simple switch so the timer funtion was lost. You cannot use the dial with a simple switch. For $30 you can buy a new livewell timer (variable or fixed). You remove the existing switch and replace it with the new unit. Ignore the existing dial or remove it as its not needed. Iinstructions come with the new unit. There are only three connections. One to the pump, one to ground and one to a source of +12V. You can get the new timer right here on iBoats or any store that sells boating supplies.

 

[eelaforge]

Re: Livewell Aerator Question

Well, there is a timer switch on the bow panel, and since I really don't know the history behind it, it may be possible that the original switch may have been replaced. The aerator does come on for about 30 seconds and pauses for different intervals of time depending whether I go to min or max or somewhere in between. I'm confused, as I don't know whether or not the dial would have anything to do with the operation. Maybe I'm just too picky, I don't know.

I do however, have another issue that you might be able to help me with. My bass boat used to have a 6 terminal 3-way toggle switch installed to select Battery 1 or 2. The switch was broken, (probably stepped on by a previous owner), and disconnected. Since my trolling motor is strictly 12v, it would be awesome if I could put in a new switch and select a battery from the front fishing platform instead of crawling to the stern and switching trolling motor batteries 1/2 way through the day. I have 1-8ga Orange wire, 1-8ga Red wire, and 2-8ga black wires that run from the battery compartment to the bow of the boat. Can you tell me where I can get the switch and a schematic on how to wire it? What I need is a way to separate the 12v leads and use them 1 at a time at the flip of a switch. With that said, I'm not even sure if I need 6 terminals either. If I could get a switch that would make a connection 12v in on one side and 12v out on the other at the top and vice versa on the bottom with the off position in the middle, I would have everything I needed. As always, I appreciate your assistance. Thanks!