RT198p blowing livewell pump fuses

[King_Fish]

Well, all of a sudden I've been blowing the 5A fuse for my livewell pump (Rule 800GPM), and it's happening intermittent, during Tournies, so VERY frustrating. My troubleshooting, to this point, has been minimal, but it's time to amp (pun intended) it up a bit. I believe it's the motor itself, as she popped a 3rd fuse when I pulled it out of the pump housing yesterday, on the lake w/ a LW full of fish. I did blow out the main water feed line this weekend and she ran fine in the drive way and when I launched yesterday, only seems to happen when I put fishies in the LW, and change the valve position from Empty to Auto...

So, I plan to start a TS effort tonight or tomorrow, ANY SUGGESTIONS or EXPERIENCE with a similar problem from you guys (or girls) is appreciated.

BK

[Joe4d]

You have a timer switch up on the bow ? Check for corrosion, or exposed wire sticking out a crimp. If the motor is runnign and you arnt clogged up, obviously you have a short to ground somewhere.
Check the exposed area, around the switch connections, wire connections around pump. Just gonna have to dig.
Intermittent problems are the worse.

[n2ratfishin]

I concur looking for an exposed wire. Sounds like you have a short somewhere.

[King_Fish]

You have a timer switch up on the bow ? Check for corrosion, or exposed wire sticking out a crimp. If the motor is runnign and you arnt clogged up, obviously you have a short to ground somewhere.
Check the exposed area, around the switch connections, wire connections around pump. Just gonna have to dig.
Intermittent problems are the worse.

Correct on the timer switch and plan to examine / ohm out the wiring.
I wonder what is involved or, basically how to pull the Auto / Manual switch out of the dash...?

[n2ratfishin]

Shimmy up under the dash and see if there isn't and nut holding the switch in the dash.

[Donnyboy]

I had something similar happen to my 198. Blown fuses with fish in the live well, especially in Florida is bad news. I went thru all the items mentioned above and still popped a occasional fuse. Frustrated I decided to just change the pump. When I pulled it, down inside the housing was a pebble, removed it and replaced the old pump. No more problems. Just something to check if the above suggestions don’t show any problems..

[King_Fish]

Thanks Y'all...

[King_Fish]

It was the motor...

Replaced and all SAT, fish are happy again,

[lilduckx3]

Same problem . I took live well pump apart. There was a senko stuck in impeller

[King_Fish]

Same problem . I took live well pump apart. There was a senko stuck in impeller

LOL - Proof that anything will eat a Senko... Speaking of which those things are also eating away at my wallet!!!!!!!!