Question about hobie bait tank.

[YakDout]

Can anyone tell me what style of fuse and what amperage is used for the stock hobie bait tank?

[Iceman]

There is no fuse

[mrJB]

I think what Andy is telling you is that the tank has no fuse... Put a 3 amp fuse at your battery (positive lead), fuse type will depend on your fuse holder.

[YakDout]

There is no fuse in line from the pump to the battery?

[Iceman]

There is no fuse unless it has been added after the fact. Are you trouble shooting?

[YakDout]

Kind of, I purchased a bait tank timer to get some prolonged battery use (Kayakfishingsupplies) . I tried to wire it in yesterday and thought I had it correct..

When I plugged the battery into the harness with the bait tank switch off, the bait tank started running with the timer working, when I flipped the switch up, the pump started running continuously. I then proceeded to change to wires that I thought could be the culprit and when I plugged the battery in my bait tank started smoking, and BAD. The positive leads to the timer fried and I heard a pop, which I'm guessing was the fuse. I was going to try to solder two new positive leads on the timer to see if it still works, but the fuse that was installed in the wiring I'm guessing needs replaced. There was a lot of corrosion around the fuse as well as waterproofing material, so I'm unsure as to what needs to go in. I'm guess 2.5-3amps?

[Iceman]

3 amp fuse should be ideal

[YakDout]

Roger, thanks a lot!

[pbb]

How much time are you getting with your battery that you need more?

Have you considered a new battery?

My battery has never run low, but maybe you are able to spend more continuous time on the water than I can usually get away for.

[crazywakeboarder]

Do you have a one way valve at the pump? The hobies will drain if the pump is off

[YakDout]

How much time are you getting with your battery that you need more?

Have you considered a new battery?

My battery has never run low, but maybe you are able to spend more continuous time on the water than I can usually get away for.


I recently purchased a new battery, and at the end of my 10-12 hour day usually my pump isn't even running anymore. Figure I can double the battery length with running 20 seconds on, 20 off.

[YakDout]

Do you have a one way valve at the pump? The hobies will drain if the pump is off


I would set the the timer to a short enough duration that it wouldn't lose much water , 10-20 seconds max

[ironcross6921]

I would set the the timer to a short enough duration that it wouldn't lose much water , 10-20 seconds max
Go get a swing check valve, I go here to get mine. http://www.customaquatic.com/estore/control/search/~id=check%20valve/~pi=2/~ps=20/~srt=1 I never have to worry about my tank draining.

[Iceman]

For fishing mackerel, I think you will be ok with the timer switch cycling, but if you fish sardines you will likely have a good amount die off.

[YakDout]

Ok thanks for the advice guys, I may install valve and look into a bigger aH 6 volt battery. Too many times recently has my bait tank along with the bait died. Usually happens late in the afternoon, right when the fishing gets hot.

[bus kid]

at the end of my 10-12 hour day usually my pump isn't even running anymore. Figure I can double the battery length with running 20 seconds on, 20 off.

You should stop spending so much time on the water! :D

[YakDout]

You should stop spending so much time on the water! :D


My recent move from the coast to temecula has me wanting to get the most out of my days on the water. Less trips to the ocean but more hours per day. The complexity of this theory, actually lets me get away from the girlfriend and fish a little more than before. Some real science behind it but I won't get into that right now....

[RedSledTeam]

Do you have a one way valve at the pump? The hobies will drain if the pump is off There was a post way, way, baaaacck, in the innovations thread that showed how to put a 90 elbow at the discharge end of the pump and a short length of pvc (~6 inches) pointing upward so that the tank will not drain below the opening of the short pipe. And you have to determine the correct length of pipe for your bait tank to maintain the proper water level for operation.

[TJones]

There was a post way, way, baaaacck, in the innovations thread that showed how to put a 90 elbow at the discharge end of the pump and a short length of pvc (~6 inches) pointing upward so that the tank will not drain below the opening of the short pipe. And you have to determine the correct length of pipe for your bait tank to maintain the proper water level for operation.

chime in on pics?
what size battery are you using yak ? 10 amp? or 7-8 amp? i cut the terminal connections off an old battery that went dead. and i reconnected it to a new 10 amp battery that i purchased from the main interstate distribution hub . around 22$ bucks i think . the hobie batteries are excellent choice of course . carrying a second battery during a long 14 hr summer day is a good option. i made a few mods to the tank myself . i screwed on a flex hose about 10 ' long .it was purchased from home depot .i can easily reach down and grab hose to syphon and prime tank ,or blow on hose to help clear debris . i also purchased end cap to seal hose , which enables me to prevent water from flowing out . if interested in pics , let me know . this whole idea and creation was another users invention . thanks . this mod has no effect on macs being disturbed because it curls around bottom of tank . no harm , no foul .:cheers1:

[YakDout]

I have a 10 amp hour battery, been through 2 now and they don't last as long as I need them for. How long can you go with those macs in your tank without new oxygenated water?

[bus kid]

if your going to spend that much time on the water on a regular basis, then perhaps you should consider a lifepo4 battery. there are a few guys here using them perhaps they can provide some insight. I had a timer on my tank 6 volt 10 amp hr battery and could get 10 hours never stayed on the water longer then that with the tank needing to run.

[YakDout]

I have a LIPO for my fishfinder and it's definitely worth the extra coin. Been doing some research on 6 volt lithium phosphate rated at least 12 AH but haven't found one to buy yet. I would imagine the dimensions would be larger so may have to rig up a new way to mount battery to the hobie tank. It's always late in the day that I need the bait the most and don't have it because my pump won't run anymore. Sometimes I've had to rely on single or double macs. Then run back out to the grounds with those only to get bit in half by a dog. Pedal back in towards the kelp to make one or two more at a time. It's a vicious cycle....

[pbb]

On the Li-PO, be aware that the ones you can buy on ebay don't live up to the stated AH ratings, according to some posts I read elsewhere.

Also, you can kill them by completely draining them. I've got a dead one I used briefly with my FF. Won't take a charge anymore.

On the other hand they are fairly cheap.

You could also just buy a second lead acid battery and swap it out on the water.

[YakDout]

Nothing but good things to say about my lithium phosphate. This is the exact one I have for my FF.


http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0083BMHPY/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?qid=1417889382&sr=8-4&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70

I've put in two full days on the water (10-12 hrs) and it was still running half way through the third day.

[TJones]

Larger baits need more air supply . Have you hooked up a meter to check voltage on battery ? If it is new or in great shape it should be around 6.5 vlts. 6.3 vlts is in good shape and so on . I would think anything under 6 vlts? Would be going out or bad .I picked up a meter from harbor freight for dirt cheap. A good battery should power you for more than 6 hours . The flow will slow down , but still be more than adequate for a handful of macs . Two batteries should easily carry you through the day . Even a 10 and 7 combined . Two 7's might do it . It might be time for you to invest . Check frys , they might have something reasonable . I purchased some 7 Amp models way back . I would try to stick with tens though.

[YakDout]

Larger baits need more air supply . Have you hooked up a meter to check voltage on battery ? If it is new or in great shape it should be around 6.5 vlts. 6.3 vlts is in good shape and so on . I would think anything under 6 vlts? Would be going out or bad .I picked up a meter from harbor freight for dirt cheap. A good battery should power you for more than 6 hours . The flow will slow down , but still be more than adequate for a handful of macs . Two batteries should easily carry you through the day . Even a 10 and 7 combined . Two 7's might do it . It might be time for you to invest . Check frys , they might have something reasonable . I purchased some 7 Amp models way back . I would try to stick with tens though.


Thanks for input. Yes I have a multimeter and my battery when full charged holds over 6 volts. I will probably be getting another one soon for backup. Is there a place to buy the plug for the wiring harness? I'm thinking I may build some sort of mount for a second battery on my hobie tank and run a switch, when one battery dies I can flip on the new one.

[TJones]

I would say within 20 minutes the macs will start slowing down . Probably they start loosing brain cells after 30 minutes :D . Water level and how many macs inside tank will give different results . I bought a longer insert pipe , so my water level is to the Top of tank .