Livewell plumbing and usage questions

[jtexas]

If you have a livewell, I'd appreciate any input you would care to share on how you run it.<br /><br />My livewell pump burned up just before I acquired the boat. I bought an aerator to replace it but during installation I found that I actually have two pumps: one that takes water in through the transom and pumps it through a hose into the livewell, and the other (the one that burned up) pumped it out through a hole in the side of the boat (well above the water line). <br /><br />The livewell has a hole through the hull in the bottom of the boat, so it always fills to the waterline every time I put the boat in the water. I guess at one time it probably had a plug; it's a smaller size than the regular drain plug. The intake pump has a thru-hull pvc fitting with a screw-on cap on the outside; I guess that must have been put there to keep critters from nesting in there?<br /><br />Here's my questions:<br />How is your livewell set up: aerator or pump out and refill or both?<br />Which is more energy-efficient?<br />Which is more effective?<br />How frequently do you re-fresh the water to keep fish alive and/or comfortable?<br />Or, do you run the aerator all the time, or intermittently?<br /><br />Do you ever use the livewell for bait and if so, do you run it any differently?<br /><br />thanks,<br />jtw

 

[Mr.Ladyfish]

Re: Livewell plumbing and usage questions

Our boat has a built in livewell in the transom. It has one pump that pumps water from the bottom of the boat to the livewell. There is an overflow tube about 2 foot high in the middle of the well. When the water reaches the top of the tube it flows out through a drain to a thru hull on the port side of the boat. I fill the livewell, add bait and just let it run all day long. The only drawback is that it runs the battery down a little. I have a meter on my 240 Blue that monitors the battery so I just keep an eye on that during long periods of fishing without moving. If I can ever get my #@%*! mechanic to add the 2nd battery I asked him to in March that problem will be gone.

 

[jtexas]

Re: Livewell plumbing and usage questions

That sounds about like my original setup. That would explain why the outflow hose didn't have a fitting thru the hull, it was just pointed at the hole; obviously it was added later.<br /><br />Weight and balance would be a factor in my boat if I keep the livewell full up to the drain since it's over on one side directly behind the driver's seat. I'd prefer to keep only as much water in there as I need. But with two pumps, twice the power useage. I have two batts, one dedicated to the trolling motor not charged by the outboard; all the accessories run off the cranking batt. Don't want to push my luck by taxing the old 6-amp alternator.<br /><br />Ever thought about putting it on a timer? Two minutes on/two minutes off = 1/2 the power. Might be enough to keep bait lively. Or, one minute off every five minutes cuts power consumption by 20%.<br /><br />Thanks!<br />jtw