Bilge Pump/Livewell overhaul

[crazyjoeclemens]

Long story short, I'll be taking a trip to Kentucky Lake/Lake Barkley in a couple weeks, but my boat needs some work before I go.  My goal is to replace the bilge pump with an automatic unit, so it can sit in a slip for a few days with no worries.  I've been looking at the Rule automatic pump that just uses load sensing electronics to run/shut off.  Has any one used this model or are float switches still the preferred equipment for water removal?  This job should be pretty straightforward, since  the existing manual pump still works - it just makes some terrible noises when it starts up.

 

The not-so-easy job I'd like to complete will be rehabbing livewells.  Right now, I have a fairly bad leak, which I believe is coming from the livewell plumbing, particularly the cable-operated valves.  Basically, I'd like to plug the front livewell, so I can use it as dry storage (at least for now).  Then, I'd like to completely overhaul the rear livewell - replace the cable valve and the aeration pump.  At the moment, the aeration pump is totally non-functional.  I'm hoping its just toast, because I'd really rather not get into the wiring, unless I absolutely have to.  That said, does anyone have any pictures of their older Ranger livewells or any links to resources for that sort of thing?  I'm gonna have to dive into it head first, but it would be helpful to have something to look at, so I have an idea of what I'm getting into.

[Scott F]

On your bilge pump, the noise can easily just be debris caught in the pump. Remove the pump and check for junk in the impeller. 

Sorry I can't help you with the live well issues. I haven't used my live wells in over 10 years.

[Alex from GA]

I've had a sensing pump for 15 or so years and It works great.  Mine just hums when it turns on every 2 1/2 minutes.

[John O]

I just replaced every pump in my TR-22 (8) in all. Two day job being bent over in the bilge while laying on the deck. The whole thing started with a very noisy live well pump. Figured while I was in there I'd replace them all with Tsunami pumps and should be good for another 20 years...