aerator issue

[uffdaracer]

Hello. I have a 2001 Lund Fisherman. I love the boat which I've only owned a short while and used a handful of times. One issue is the aerator for the live well which I've replaced because the existing one was not working when I bought the boat. The new one is an Attwood Tsunami 2 Model T500 which has a higher volume than the original. When testing it on the trailer, it runs fine, but when sitting in water it won't prime, the impeller just runs dry. I did get it to work on the trailer by force priming then it would draft and circulate water. There is no blockage in the line. I'm suspecting there's an airlock which wouldn't allow it to self prime, as it should, the pump location being at the bottom of the hull. The installation manual doesn't mention installation a bypass. Has anyone experienced this dilemma? Thanks, Mike

 

[Scott Danforth]

They only worth when the intake is submerged a bit below the surface. Impellers only push water, they do not draw water

Not running on plane or on a trailer is normal

 

[redneck joe]

So it does work on the trailer or only when you force primed that one time? And never in the water? Not sure youbstated correctly or im just an idiot and not understanding.

 

[redneck joe]

Oh, and welcome to the forum and happy Thanksgiving

 

[uffdaracer]

So it does work on the trailer or only when you force primed that one time? And never in the water? Not sure youbstated correctly or im just an idiot and not understanding.

if I force prime the pump on the trailer, it will work. I haven't yet tried dumping a bucket of water into the live well to prime it while the boat is in the water. I'm suspecting an inherent air lock when I launch the boat. The only way around that as far as I know, would be to install a bypass around the impeller which would allow the pump to self prime.

 

[cyclops222]

The water pump...... must ... be lower than the water line of the boat with NO ONE in the boat. If it is not lower ? The bait will not get constant fresh water when you stop the boat.
Can you post some pictures of the transom where thewater pipe opening is ? Some pictures of the pump to the transom water inlet ? Some people make a incorrect pipe job.

 

[uffdaracer]

The water pump...... must ... be lower than the water line of the boat with NO ONE in the boat. If it is not lower ? The bait will not get constant fresh water when you stop the boat.
Can you post some pictures of the transom where thewater pipe opening is ? Some pictures of the pump to the transom water inlet ? Some people make a incorrect pipe job.

Thanks for your interest. The aerator is mounted on the bottom of the hull at the transom which is the lowest point of the hull. The intake is next to the drain plug. I purchased this boat a few months ago with a non working aerator. The replacement is a higher GPM but otherwise a plug and play installation. Polarity is correct because it has worked intermittently. (I can hear it running).

 

[redneck joe]

So,

Works if on trailer and hose put (and kept) to it.
Does not work in water.

Working is defined as water moving
Not working is defined as no water but pump on

Is this accurate?