livewell question

General Boats and Motors
1

I have 2 livewells in my boat and when I’m sitting still one picks up fine and fills the well, the other does nothing until it seems that I have to be moving. I’m some what new to boating so don’t want to sound ignorant but why would this be? I understand it probably has a high speed pick up but how does that actually work? Also the other day once it got going it never wanted to shut off. Thanks for any help.

2

Yep, that’s what some of them (like mine) do. Your pump just isn’t strong enough to lift the water high enough. When you are moving the ‘high speed’ forces water toward the pump and primes it to help it get started. Your pump and mine don’t have a check valve to stop water flow (except for the main shut off) and if you are running at a good enough speed the ‘high speed’ will shoot the water TO the pump, then THROUGH the pump and out into your live well with no motor needed.

3

Thanks…sounds like nothing wrong then. I appreciate the info.

4
quote:
Originally posted by srs

Thanks…sounds like nothing wrong then. I appreciate the info.

The set up sounds normal enough. BUT! Knowing how this system works, I would say I would turn the main valve (the sea cock) off when the live wells are not in use. Two reasons I say this. One is because it's a good idea and two to make sure you have sea cocks on your systems and know where they are.
5

Yea that all makes sense now that and think about it. Yes I know where they are if what I assume your talking about are the valve between the intake and the pump. These would stop any water coming in if I had a problem with a hose or something correct? would guess that is what your getting at. Thanks again.

6

Yep, that’s it. Just trying to keep you safe. Would be worth reading this thread if you haven’t.

http://old.charlestonfishing.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=86419

7

You are saying one pump two live wells correct. What kind of nozzles are on each live well? My system has one pump that feeds two live wells but I have nozzles that turn in and out so I can control which live well gets the water if not using both. Maybe your one live well nozzle is just open enough to get water only when your running pushing more water.

23’ SEACRAFT, 225OPTIMAX

8

I have two pumps, the best I can tell one feeds one live well and the wash down and the other feeds one live well. What betterthan yours said seems to be the promblem. I hope to take it out this weekend and do alittle more investigating to see if this is exactly what is going on. Thanks again for help.