bait pump problem

Danthefishman · Sep-20-2009, 02:49 PM

my bait pump is a thru hull and its a 800gph rule. Im having a problem with it losing prime. it will pump perfect then all of a sudden we will look back and notice that the bait tank is half full. the pump is still working, but I have to flick the switch on and off to get it goin. It really hurt us last trip when we finally found a good paddy, and the only live baits we had left were pretty beat up. any help is appreciated. also one of the only ways to get it goin again is hold the wash down nozzle on because they are t'd off the same line. that seems to help it prime and flow again

SeaHawk IV · Sep-20-2009, 04:33 PM

Just a guess.

Test #1
If you can get the pump to work by flicking the switch a few times then I would inspect the wire connections on the switch. It makes sense that if you lose water in the livewell tank; the pump worked earlier and you need to flick the switch a few times to to make it prime, it must be a corroded or lose connection at the switch.

Troubleshoot by switching on the livewell pump and let it fill the tank briefly. Then wiggle the wire connections behind the switch. If pump stops, you found the problem.

Test #2
If you think the wire connections from the battery to the switch are okay, then inspect the wires from the switch leading to pump. Look for any fray or damage on the wires. With the pump switch on, wiggle the wires at the pump unit and check for loose connections.

Test #3
If you have a digital voltage meter, you can check all wires for a voltage reading. Check the positive wire from battery going into the switch (12v or better). Then check power wire from the switch leading to the pump (12v or better). If both are reading 12v then might be a bad switch.

Test#4
Inspect the fuse holder. Verify the wire connections are clean and tight. Secondly, verify the fuse is in good condition by looking at the filiament and twisting the end cap. Filament should be straight and end caps tight.

Good luck!

ConSeaMate · Sep-20-2009, 04:45 PM

Check and see if you didn't suck up some eel grass .................

bassassassin · Sep-20-2009, 04:46 PM

question does it do that when ur not moving or only when its moving very important.i had the same problem and what it was i have a cat hull and the pump was not getting enough water so i had to put a filter type thing on the throuw hull and that worked perfect i can send u a pic if u like so let me know.

Danthefishman · Sep-20-2009, 05:27 PM

thanks for everyones input. It has nothing to do with wires or faulty switches, I have checked the leads with the multimeter, and everythings fine, the pump NEVER shuts off it just sounds like it has lost its prime and is working hard to get it back. It used to do it only when I would reverse like when im motoring around the bait barge. everytime when I would pull up the the barge it wouldnt be pumping, but the pump is still running. It just got worse last trip. I was wondering if it had anything to do with the weather, it was rough last time, and it seemed to do it about once an hour either running or drifting. very weird. If you could send a pic of the filter you installed that would be appreciated. and I should pull the screen on the thru hull to check for eel grass too. thanks again

Alan · Sep-20-2009, 06:48 PM

Has it always been a problem or a new to u boat? Sounds like an intake problem is there anything stuck in the impeller or the intake?

ALUMINATOR · Sep-20-2009, 08:43 PM

My 2 cents is the wash pump is causing the problem. The bait pump is sucking air through the other pump. Try disconnecting the wash down pump from the bait pump.

Fishbones · Sep-20-2009, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ALUMINATOR

My 2 cents is the wash pump is causing the problem. The bait pump is sucking air through the other pump. Try disconnecting the wash down pump from the bait pump.

X2

Danthefishman · Sep-20-2009, 10:18 PM

thanks guys, ill bet that is the problem with the air in the wash down. Ive had the boat for about a year and it happens every so often like I said mostly when im at the dock or bait barge. Towards the end of the day I zip tied the handle on the wash down nozzle and put it in the tank so that I could see when the pump wasnt working, and it never happened again as long as the nozzle was compressed. I guess that would keep the air from getting in the lines. Ill take that t out and run the wash down to its own pump. thanks for the help

meddo63 · Sep-21-2009, 06:38 AM

Make sure it is below the water line of the boat also, most pumps are not self priming

furniture 4 me · Sep-21-2009, 07:54 AM

check to see if the bait pump impeller is slipping it happened to me last year lucky i was just at the lake playing around, but noticed it was acting up the trip before. if the pumps are set up correctly the wash down pump shouldn't have any issues.

IN2DEEP · Sep-21-2009, 12:23 PM

I think this may be the problem
Sounds like your system cannot overcome an air lock when you loose prime.
Did you say that it happens more often when it's rough?
I'm thinking that your pick-up is sucking up air during rough weather and causing the air lock (similar to backing down at the bait barge)
When you open the washdown spigot, you allow the air bubble to move in the line and the pump re-primes itself and continues to pump.
I've heard Mark Wisch recommend to make sure that the bait tank inlet hose is routed to always run down hill to the pump(non-self-priming type) to prevent airlocks.

...or you can run one of these on your transom.
Not real pretty but these will never loose prime