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Been dry docked at home this weekend watching the baby and finally had time to finish my livewell. I had most of the parts already from a failed attempt, the only new addition was the tank which I found at a RV store.
Parts:
RV 11 gallon water tank
600 gph pump
Hobie 8" hatch
3/4 PVC
3/4 tubing
3/4 check valve
1/4 tubing
Drain plug
Overflow
Deck connector plug end
Rubber feet, rod holders, handles, misc hardware
Completed tank with power connected at deck connector. After the pump is primed I can cycle water periodically via switch next to the seat.
Here you can see the switch, the other two are for nav and deck lighting. Everything (lights, fish finder, deck connector) is powered by one lithium battery in the forward hatch. Both the intake and overflow pipes feed to the scuppers when cart is removed.
Between the spray bar and pump is the check valve, I found this necessary after not being able to draw water from an unprimed intake. The spray bar is held in place with a plastic clip so it is easily removable and the end cap of the PVC spray bar is not glued. To prime I unclip the spray bar, remove the end cap, hold my fingers over the three holes in the spray bar, then suck till water reaches the check valve. Much easier than it sounds, takes about 10 seconds. During the test run today I found the pump stayed primed as long as I kept the pump submerged (3-4" of water).
Can see the clip here.
Forward 20ah battery, has quick disconnect on inside of kayak for charging and removal.
https://vimeo.com/135210695
Works awesome! The only thing I would change is to move the drain plug to the front of the tank versus the rear so I can reach behind me while sitting to drain if necessary. I also plan to add a lower overflow since this one was mounted a little too high for most applications. All in all probably have about $200 invested, but in my opinion it's leaps and bounds better than $300 Hobie.
Parts:
RV 11 gallon water tank
600 gph pump
Hobie 8" hatch
3/4 PVC
3/4 tubing
3/4 check valve
1/4 tubing
Drain plug
Overflow
Deck connector plug end
Rubber feet, rod holders, handles, misc hardware
Completed tank with power connected at deck connector. After the pump is primed I can cycle water periodically via switch next to the seat.
Here you can see the switch, the other two are for nav and deck lighting. Everything (lights, fish finder, deck connector) is powered by one lithium battery in the forward hatch. Both the intake and overflow pipes feed to the scuppers when cart is removed.
Between the spray bar and pump is the check valve, I found this necessary after not being able to draw water from an unprimed intake. The spray bar is held in place with a plastic clip so it is easily removable and the end cap of the PVC spray bar is not glued. To prime I unclip the spray bar, remove the end cap, hold my fingers over the three holes in the spray bar, then suck till water reaches the check valve. Much easier than it sounds, takes about 10 seconds. During the test run today I found the pump stayed primed as long as I kept the pump submerged (3-4" of water).
Can see the clip here.
Forward 20ah battery, has quick disconnect on inside of kayak for charging and removal.
https://vimeo.com/135210695
Works awesome! The only thing I would change is to move the drain plug to the front of the tank versus the rear so I can reach behind me while sitting to drain if necessary. I also plan to add a lower overflow since this one was mounted a little too high for most applications. All in all probably have about $200 invested, but in my opinion it's leaps and bounds better than $300 Hobie.
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