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DIY Bait Tank/Livewell
http://www.hobie.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=41300
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Author:  MWC359 [ Tue Feb 21, 2012 10:47 pm ]
Post subject:  DIY Bait Tank/Livewell

My new Tank from parts in my garage. I used an old 58 qt cooler and plumbed it with 3/4 pvc. I used a 12volt 500 gph pump and a 12volt 10 amp battery wired backwards. To prevent my bait from bangin their little skulls into the sides I took some plastic covers from some old light fixtures and rounded the corners of the cooler. I filled the corners with foam and siliconed over them to keep scales and crud from getting in between. The silicone didnt smooth out like i wanted....it was pretty cold when i did it.... but it will do the job. Im pleased for costing way under a 100 bucks.

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Author:  FishIt [ Wed Feb 22, 2012 8:37 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: DIY Bait Tank/Livewell

Pretty neat, but what do you mean, "wired backward?"...

Author:  charlief [ Wed Feb 22, 2012 9:53 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: DIY Bait Tank/Livewell

Wow, that's impressive particularly for less than 100 bucks.

Author:  MWC359 [ Wed Feb 22, 2012 10:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: DIY Bait Tank/Livewell

I wired positive to negative and negative to positive......pump runs slower and doesnt make the bait so tired....battery will last longer per trip aswell

Author:  FishIt [ Thu Feb 23, 2012 10:29 am ]
Post subject:  Re: DIY Bait Tank/Livewell

... "wired backwards"... pump runs in reverse, therefore less efficiently, therefore lower flow rate... Hhhmmmmmmm..... Not sure about battery life, but it is a neat project, though! I like the battery box; where did you find it?

Author:  Revo_1756 [ Thu Feb 23, 2012 2:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: DIY Bait Tank/Livewell

MWC359,

Nicely crafted, Well Done.

Revo

Author:  araz2114 [ Sat Feb 25, 2012 6:55 am ]
Post subject:  Re: DIY Bait Tank/Livewell

I don't see it but is the pump submersed on the end of the braided hose? Does it just hang over the side of the kayak?

Author:  MWC359 [ Sun Feb 26, 2012 9:29 am ]
Post subject:  Re: DIY Bait Tank/Livewell

Yes the pump hangs over the side..... I got a suggestion the modify it and draw from the scupper hole so improvemnts are more then likely in the near future....(Drag reduction)

Author:  MidTNKayakAngler [ Fri Mar 09, 2012 10:37 am ]
Post subject:  Re: DIY Bait Tank/Livewell

Please keep this updated as you change and make improvements. I've been looking to make a livewell for live bass tournaments that I would like to fish.

Author:  MWC359 [ Sat Mar 10, 2012 9:48 am ]
Post subject:  Re: DIY Bait Tank/Livewell

Well I tested my tank on the water today..... Calm water .... The water level could stand to be about two inches lower good active baits might see freedom when the lid was opened. Other then that it worked great......I could stand with no problem, completely stable.

Author:  MidTNKayakAngler [ Tue Apr 17, 2012 11:46 am ]
Post subject:  Re: DIY Bait Tank/Livewell

Thanks for the update.

What would you think the total weight of the setup is with water, battery, and all the plumbing? 80-90lb?

Jeremy

Author:  Yakker [ Wed May 09, 2012 6:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: DIY Bait Tank/Livewell

Pretty Neat! I made a similar tank using an Igloo 5 gal drink jug which is round and already has a removable spiggot which I used for the pump input line. I controlled the pump speed using an LED Light Dimmer (cheap on EBay) which is mounted in a watertight box. It got pretty warm but did not burn out (yet).

Author:  ColoradoSunDevil [ Fri May 11, 2012 9:08 am ]
Post subject:  Re: DIY Bait Tank/Livewell

Now that's a good piece of Engineering!
I like it!

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