Confusion on recirculating livewell system

[dwtata]

I bought a 93 astro S-18B last year and am having problems figuring out how the livewell system works.

When I purchased the boat, both pumps in the picture did not work. I recently replaced the pump on the left and it runs now. although the pump runs, it doesn't seem to be pumping water into the livewell. The problem, and question I have is related to the valve that both pumps are connected to. They appear to be cable operated and from reading around about these valves i've come to find that there must be an actuator somewhere in the boat. I cannot find the actuator and I really can't understand how these livewells fill, drain, and recirculate. The way it looks to me is that both pumps are somewhat of an independent system in that depending on the placement of the valve the pump can either fill, pump out, or recirculate the livewells. If anyone understands these fancy livewell systems better than me any help would be greatly appreciated as my livewell is essentially useless right now.

here is a closer picture of the pump i just replaced. take my word for it that it is connected to that valve underneath the black hose covering the connection.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Confusion on recirculating livewell system

You need to follow the hoses and cables from the pumps and valves. If you look at the pump you replaced, just to the right of it is a black square valve. The cable coming off it goes to a lever or knob somewhere in the vicinity of the helm. It may have been removed or disconnected by a previous owner so stick your head under the helm to find it.
One pump is very likely the fill pump. The other is likely the recirculate/drain pump. You activate the fill pump to fill the tank with the recirculate valve in the recirculate position. The tank fills. Activating the recirculate pump then recirculates and aerates the water in the tank. Set the control to drain and turn on the recirculate/drain pump to empty the tank. Keep in mind there may be a timer module associated with either or both pumps. If the switches have an AUTO setting they are timed.

 

[MrBigStuff]

Re: Confusion on recirculating livewell system

On my '91 Astro, the control levers are located near the floor under the throttle control. Sit in the driver's seat and look down by your feet to the right. Hopefully, yours are in a similar position. They are plastic levers that rotate to open/close the valves. IIRC, you also have to remove the plugs from the backside of the boat to get water into the pumps.

 

[dwtata]

Re: Confusion on recirculating livewell system

Thanks guys I have now at least found the control levers for the valves. I'm going to have to mess around with it for a while to figure everything out. Its weird because when i put the boat in the water the livewell fills with water, but not due to any of the pumps. also, there is a total of 6 holes in the livewell. two on the bottom, two in the middle, and two white aerator tubes that stick down from the top of the livewell into the bottom of the livewell.

 

[MrBigStuff]

Re: Confusion on recirculating livewell system

I found mine to be confusing at first too.

On mine, the inlets are at the rear of the boat, bottom of transom, to each side of the bilge plug. They have plugs like the bilge only slightly smaller diameter.

The inlets have control valves to allow water in/out.

The overflows are on the side of the boat, near the rub rail. Water can enter the overflow if you're standing on that side and the hole becomes submerged.

The bottom holes are the drains and have a screen mesh over them. The livewells fill through the aerators up to the overflow level which drains out the side of the boat. 3 holes x 2 livewells. At least that's how they work on mine.

 

[dwtata]

Re: Confusion on recirculating livewell system

Well went out fishing friday afternoon and MrBigStuff our livewells appear to be set up identical. i have one pump that works, and it is filling the livewell so that is good. But, the pump that works is connected to a valve that the cable has seized on, and the pump that is broken is connected to the valve that still operates properly with the cable. so hopefully i can get the broken valve fixed and i'll at least have on complete fill/recirculate livewell pump. I've been told by two people that these somehow pump out but i can't see how that is possible with the pump/valve configuration I have.