live well not pumping

[ebber]

I have a lowe Angler 150s and I flipped the switch to fill the live well while out fishing and nothing happens, I don't hear the pump kicking in either. I looked up under neath and the lives and connectors look fine, followed the wires over to the panel where the fuse is and both fuses are not blown. I assume that the live-well pump would be by the transom and probably on the other side of the bilge pump. is there a way to check to see if the pump is bad or something else?

 

[bonz_d]

Follow the wires back from the pump and you should find a connection. Use a volt meter on it to see if you're getting power to the pump. If so replace the pump.

 

[Watermann]

Test for power getting to the switch with a meter. If so flip the switch and see if power then goes to the pump. If no power then the switch is bad if there is power then it either isn't getting to the pump or the pump is bad.

 

[bonz_d]

Another way is to disconnect the pump wires and jump them directly to the battery. Runs = good. Doesn't run = junk.

 

[gm280]

Hard to tell not being there and testing things myself. But you either have a dead pump, or corroded connections...

 

[ebber]

ok thanks everyone, I have a multimeter, what would I put the setting on to check to see if there is power at the connector ? assuming that there is a connector and not one continus wire going back to the panel.

 

[TruckDrivingFool]

Set your meter to DC volts. I'd be surprised if it's solid wired to the switch but if you can't find a connection you can pierce the wire coating with your probes and get a reading. You may need a piece of scrap wood to do it and if you go that route I'd use some liquid tape to seal the holes back up once you're done.

 

[ebber]

ok thanks, I'll see if I can trace it all the way back, the wires are in the plastic tubing which makes it harder to get at

 

[smokeonthewater]

The wires will be spliced at the pump... Most likely butt connectors... Cut both splices out and test then replace/resplice as needed.

 

[ebber]

smokeonthewater you were right, there were 2 butt connectors about a foot away from the pump. I cut the wires and test from the switch side and had power, not sure what the meter read but it was like 12. something until the wire hit the side of the boat and popped the fuse so looks like the pump is bad. any idea how expensive they are? I'm in Canada so I figure we can add another 30%

 

[ebber]

also is there a recommended brand to get?

 

[ebber]

I've got a small battery as well now that I have the wires exposed so I will just touch the wires directly to the battery to verify that it doesnt work

 

[smokeonthewater]

http://www.iboats.com/Boat-Livewell...5771245--session_id.582894570--view_id.272221

 

[Fish Catcher Jim]

smokeonthewater you were right, there were 2 butt connectors about a foot away from the pump. I cut the wires and test from the switch side and had power, not sure what the meter read but it was like 12. something until the wire hit the side of the boat and popped the fuse so looks like the pump is bad. any idea how expensive they are? I'm in Canada so I figure we can add another 30%

Dont mean to barge in here but you said you checked from the switch side - did you happen to check from the connectors back before you cut them ? I am only asking because I could not tell exactly what all you did other then the big oops. lol Dont ya just hate that ?

On another note - I had a big 16 sylvan sea monster and the pump would always simply stop pumping on me. It became the normal thing to reach down through access plate in the floor and grab a hand full of hose and pull up and down on it as to get the water moving and the pump would kick in. It was like it would get an air bubble and stop pumping water. Just thought I would mention this- in case this is what was going on with yours.

Have a great day on the water
Jim

 

[TruckDrivingFool]

I've got a small battery as well now that I have the wires exposed so I will just touch the wires directly to the battery to verify that it doesnt work

Make sure it's a 12 volt battery for your test as a "smaller" lower voltage battery may not drive it.

Also with the fuse reset/replaced double check that you still have power and your oops didn't cause you another problem. I think we all have that T-shirt.

 

[bonz_d]

Follow the wires back from the pump and you should find a connection. Use a volt meter on it to see if you're getting power to the pump. If so replace the pump.

Terrific that you found it. Always best to start at a motor and work backwards. Been doing it for years on the job. From low voltage motors to high voltage motors, they all need power to run. No power = no run, good power = should always run. Good power, no run = junk motor. No power at motor, now it's time to start backwards or forwards checking the circuit to or from the power source. A broken wire can be anywhere.