Broke the plastic knob to close the livewell valve yesterday. Seems like they would have used a better part for something that requires that much force. Anyway, anyone just take the strainer screen out of the livewell and plug it with a stopper. Looks like if I get the knob replaced it would just break again at some point. BTW, I did not twist it that hard just plastic fatigue in a spot that should be metal IMO.
I broke mine 3 times! First time they said the cable was pinched when the boat's top cap went on! It still was stiff to move and broke again! I then changed the knob myself, 20 bucks. Still stiff, I took the valve apart and it was bad inside, bur in the plastic. I sanded it down and it's been working good!
I've got mine apart rite now, ordered a whole new cable, on off switch and valve, very bad design, I ordered mine from Flow-rite, I tried putting in a piece of tape to block flow, but that got tiring fast.
One thing I did notice is that Flow-rite sells two different valves a front and a rear opening and I think the one that opens from the back would have less of a binding, but I just ordered a new version of what was in there. I'll post a pic of what I'm talking about.
I thought of doing the upgrade to valve 2 but I don't have that much room.
Good luck with yours, Dave
I took the strainer off the drain in the livewell. Got a small plug they make for the baitwells in bay boat. It is like a flange. Fits snug then you flip the metal piece and it seal the hole. problem solved. Pump water in for fishing. When done either pump water out or pull the pug and let it drain. I had a friend with a older champion do this and he never had anymore trouble. It is a poor design so I am not going through the trouble of trying to fix it so it can break again.
I broke my on my 198 before I ever put it in the water. It was a pain to fix, but I called Champion and they mailed me a new cable and it was at my door 2 days later, free of any charge. Great CS
Broke mine as well. They (the control knob) are a POS. Called flow-rite and ordered the new one. I think it was around $15.00
2023 Ranger Z520R
Mercury 250 ProXS
Well my Flow-Rite control knob snapped off in my hand too yesterday at the end of a club tournament... Got a new one on the way, but now I'm wondering if it's a bad design period. Found this old post where someone got tired of the plastic weak point - Anyone else have any ideas? http://www.bbcboards.net/ranger-boat...lp-needed.html
Gunnar,
Do you have a pumpout system on your livewells? If so, just disconnect the wire than connects to the PLASTIC postioning lever on the valve. I have mine set to recirculate, that way no water comes in or out unless I make it. If you dont have a pumpout you will just have to manually move the positioning lever on the valve. Be careful those things are fragile to.
I like that guys fix.
Mine broke in my 198 about 3 years ago. I ordered two, works every time.
Ed R.
2006 ChampioN 198 225 Optimax
+1Originally Posted by ChampioNman
I like that guys fix.
Yes, but I like the *Auto* run feature so I'll have to fix the switch -
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