Printable View
Hi All,
I have a 1997 18 foot Sea Ark, boat is solid and motor runs good etc. since I have owned the boat (1.5 years). I have used the livewell without issue until the last month or so and it has stopped working altogether. I checked the fuse on the dash and it is working fine. Does anyone have any ideas/things I could try to attempt to get it in working condition before taking it to a mechanic? Any help is greatly appreciated, thanks!
I assume when you say it's not working you mean the aerorator isn't coming on. you either have an electrical issue or a bad pump, check to see if your getting power to the pump if you are then the pump needs replaced. If your not getting power check all your connections and wiring including the switch.
Thanks Dlogfish, yes the aerater is not turning on when I am flipping the power switch. How do I tell if the pump is getting power? Basically when i flip the switch, there is a valve that unscrews to turn the aerater on. Now, that is not working. Where exactly do i find the pump? I am a total newcomer to trying to fix my own boat but i need to learn!
if the live well is in the back hopefully you can access it from the bilge, if in the front there should be a way to access it from a compartment or access panel. On the other side of that valve in the live well should be some pipe or tubing, follow that to the pump. To check if is getting power you would need a voltmeter. Do some r search on YouTube there are several on how to use a voltmeter as well as replacing pumps and wiring. Without seeing your boat that's about the best I can do. Make sure you check all your connections (wires from the pump to the switch to the fuse box to the battery and any splices). If any of them are corroded clean them and reconnect.
Dlogfish is dead on.
One quick thing If you do NOT have a voltmeter. You can purchase a circuit checker for about 2 bucks. It looks like a screwdriver with a light bulb at the end. It will have a point and also a wire lead. You can pull your wires off from your aerator, turn your switch to the ON position, put the point end of your meter on one wire and the clip on the other. If the bulb comes on, you are getting power. If it doesn't, then you are not getting power. Might be a bad or corroded wire, or a bad switch.
Redneck version: Flashlight bulb with two wires taped to it. One on the positive side, one on the negative.... or a side trailer marker light. The wire coming off the light is positive, the bolt that mounts it to the trailer is negative.