Hurricane Livewell does not work

[bandt32]

I have a new Hurricane SDS 211 OB and have not been able to get the livewells to function properly and would like to know if anyone else has had this problem. The dealership tells me this is very common and the manufacture tells me I am the only one.:mad-new:

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: Hurricane Livewell does not work

If the intake valve is open, the intake line is clear, and the pump works it should work (fill). And if the return is open and clear, it should drain as well. Not sure why they can't diagnose this? When you turn on the main power and the livewell switch, does the motor run? Is the motor fixed into its intake housing correctly to draw it in?

 

[permenjl]

Re: Hurricane Livewell does not work

I had the same issue on mine. Drill a small hole in the top of the high speed pick up cover on the back of the boat. Then you need to rotate your pump to where the outlet pipe is pointed slightly upwards. If the outlet pipe is horizontal or pointing down, the pump cavity will keep air in it and not pump. The plumbing for the live well and pump loops down and then up. This keeps air trapped. If you reposition the outlet piping, the pump will overcome the air lock. I did this and haven't had any issues since.

 

[Ernest T]

Re: Hurricane Livewell does not work

+1 on permenjl comments. I think if you do this it will solve many problems. On my boat the livewell almost always fails to work the first time out or when I haven't used it in a while, because the pump has to be primed. The way the system is plumbed it makes it hard to self prime, so you have to get some water into the system to get it going. This is assuming that everything else is setup correctly like NelsonQ mentioned. Both the inlet and outlet valves have to be open (these valves will be just behind the transom and can be accessed through the round access ports or battery compartment on outboard models. You should hear the pump run when you hit the switch (if the system was not drained properly it is very common for the pump to freeze and break over the winter).

So if everything else is setup properly, you will need to prime the system. One trick that I learned is you can sometimes force water into the system to prime the pump by backing the boat............this tip was actually in the owners manual. It may take a good bit of backing to get it going. If not you may have to prime it with a water hose through the livewell.

 

[bandt32]

Re: Hurricane Livewell does not work

If the intake valve is open, the intake line is clear, and the pump works it should work (fill). And if the return is open and clear, it should drain as well. Not sure why they can't diagnose this? When you turn on the main power and the livewell switch, does the motor run? Is the motor fixed into its intake housing correctly to draw it in?

The motors both run and I can (front and back) get them to fill sometimes. The back almost always work but the front has a lot of trouble, sometimes it works and sometimes it does not. The boat also has a high speed pickup which I am told are supposed to work up to 20 mph but do not. The manufacture of the livewell parts told me the valves used in the system are not designed to be used with high speed pickups and will damage the valves. Also the drain in the top was mounted flush with the fill and is in the fiberglass shop being lowered to manufactures recommended height which is 2 inches below the fill. This will prevent the water from the livewell from overflowing into the boat.

I agree they should be able to figure it out but after sitting in repair for more that a two months maybe more (not all at the same time) it is still not working. Looking forward to using it one of the days.

 

[bandt32]

Re: Hurricane Livewell does not work

I had the same issue on mine. Drill a small hole in the top of the high speed pick up cover on the back of the boat. Then you need to rotate your pump to where the outlet pipe is pointed slightly upwards. If the outlet pipe is horizontal or pointing down, the pump cavity will keep air in it and not pump. The plumbing for the live well and pump loops down and then up. This keeps air trapped. If you reposition the outlet piping, the pump will overcome the air lock. I did this and haven't had any issues since.

Do the high speed pickups work on your boat?

 

[bandt32]

Re: Hurricane Livewell does not work

+1 on permenjl comments. I think if you do this it will solve many problems. On my boat the livewell almost always fails to work the first time out or when I haven't used it in a while, because the pump has to be primed. The way the system is plumbed it makes it hard to self prime, so you have to get some water into the system to get it going. This is assuming that everything else is setup correctly like NelsonQ mentioned. Both the inlet and outlet valves have to be open (these valves will be just behind the transom and can be accessed through the round access ports or battery compartment on outboard models. You should hear the pump run when you hit the switch (if the system was not drained properly it is very common for the pump to freeze and break over the winter).

So if everything else is setup properly, you will need to prime the system. One trick that I learned is you can sometimes force water into the system to prime the pump by backing the boat............this tip was actually in the owners manual. It may take a good bit of backing to get it going. If not you may have to prime it with a water hose through the livewell.

All valves are in the correct position. This has been in the shop multiple times just curious if I was the only one. It is starting to sound like all of you have a problem of some sort with the livewell.

 

[permenjl]

Re: Hurricane Livewell does not work

Do the high speed pickups work on your boat?

It does now.

 

[bandt32]

Re: Hurricane Livewell does not work

What dealership did you take yours too? Maybe I can get them to talk to each other.

 

[permenjl]

Re: Hurricane Livewell does not work

What dealership did you take yours too? Maybe I can get them to talk to each other.

I did the work myself. I am the second owner, so no warranty. Have you tried doing what I suggested?